O-1 Visa (Visa for Extraordinary Ability)
O-1A – Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement
Purpose:
This is for individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary ability or achievement in their field such as business, science, arts, or athletics.
Employer sponsored: Must be a U.S. employer or agent, OR entrepreneur / self-sponsored in specific circumstances. This could open doors for startup founders and self-employed innovators eager to establish a U.S.-based business.
O-1A: Reserved for individuals with extraordinary ability in the following areas: Sciences, Education, Business and Athletics.
O-1B: Designated for individuals with extraordinary ability in: the arts, motion picture industry and television industry.
Documentation requirements:
Supporting evidence for O-1A: Extensive documentary evidence of extraordinary ability or achievement, which may include at least 3 of the following:
- Memberships in exclusive organizations requiring outstanding achievement.
- Major media coverage.
- Evidence of high salary or other significant recognition.
- Original work documented by patents, licences, commercialization of research innovation, contributions to open-source repositories or other technical resources, and reference letters from government entities and other experts in the field, i.e. original contributions of major significance.
- Scholarly peer-reviewed articles in the field.
- Service as the judge of the work of others.
- Documentation of work or performance in critical or leading roles.
- Other Comparable evidence.
Supporting evidence for O-1B: Extensive documentary evidence of extraordinary ability or achievement, which may include at least 3 of the following:
- Evidence you have or will perform/serve as a lead or starring role in major productions or events for organizations or establishments with distinguished reputation.
- Evidence you have achieved national or international recognition for achievements in terms of critical reviews or other published materials in major media.
- Evidence of major commercial or critically acclaimed success in the field.
- Evidence of significant recognition in the form of testimonial letters from organizations, critics, government agencies or other recognized experts in the field.
- Evidence of substantial remuneration for services.
- Other Comparable evidence.
Other Information:
- Initial approval for up to three years; 1-year extensions indefinitely.
- Not a dual intent visa, but some proceed to filing EB-1A petitions.
- Family can obtain O-3 visas.
- Assistants of O-1B’s may obtain O-2 status in certain circumstances.
Not sure if you qualify for the O-1 visa, schedule a consultation with us today and let us help you reach your immigration goals.
