Who Can Apply for an O-1 Visa?

The O-1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa for individuals who have extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics, or who have a demonstrated record of extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry. To qualify for an O-1 visa, you must demonstrate your extraordinary ability by sustained national or international acclaim, or a record of extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry.

O-1 Visa Eligibility Requirements

The specific eligibility requirements for an O-1 visa vary depending on the field of extraordinary ability and type of O-1 visa. However, some general requirements include:

• You must be at the top of your field of expertise.
• You must have received national or international acclaim for your work.
• You must have a record of significant achievements in your field.
• You must be coming to the United States to work temporarily in your field of extraordinary ability.

Types of O-1 Visas

There are two types of O-1 visas:

•     O-1A: This visa is for individuals with extraordinary ability in the sciences, education, business, or athletics.
•     O-1B: This visa is for individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary achievements in the arts, motion picture, or television industry.

Application Process

The application process for an O-1 visa is as follows:

1. You must collect the required evidence corroborating your extraordinary ability by satisfying at least 3 of the criteria.
2. Your employer or agent must file a petition with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on your behalf (Note that it is possible for your own company in the U.S. to serve as your employer).
3. You must pay the O-1 visa application fee (and pay the additional fee if filing for Premium Processing).
4. After approval, you must file Form DS-160, Nonimmigrant Visa Application, to begin processing of your visa.
5. You must schedule an appointment for a visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate. If you are in the United States when you filed and you requested a change of status, then your status automatically changes upon receipt of your approval and there is no need to prepare a DS-160.

Required Documentation

The required documentation for an O-1 visa interview varies depending on the field of extraordinary ability and the type of O-1 visa (the criteria for the O-1a and O-1b are different). However, some general documents that you may need to provide include:

• Evidence of your extraordinary ability, such as awards, prizes, publications, or media coverage of you and your work, evidence of high salary or remuneration, recommendation letters from independent peer experts
• Documentation of your work experience in your field.
•   Proof of your employment offer or itinerary in the United States.
• A support letter from your employer or agent stating that you have extraordinary ability and that you are coming to the United States to work temporarily in your field.
• Consultation letter from a U.S. peer group, labor organization, and/or management organization

Processing Time

The processing time for an O-1 visa varies depending on the workload of the USCIS office that is processing your application. However, it typically takes several months to process an O-1 visa application. However, one can request Premium Processing by paying an additional fee to have your matter reviewed in 15 days.

Approval Rate

The approval rate for O-1 visas is high. In fiscal year 2022, the approval rate for O-1A visas was 94% and the approval rate for O-1B visas was 96%.

Conclusion

The O-1 visa is a valuable visa for individuals who have extraordinary ability in their field. If you are eligible for an O-1 visa, it can help you to work temporarily in the United States and pursue your career goals.

Here are some additional tips for increasing your chances of getting an O-1 visa:

• Make sure that you have strong evidence of your extraordinary ability. This could include awards, prizes, publications, or media coverage.
• Collect recommendation letters from independent experts in your field who can attest to your extraordinary ability, achievements and contribution in the field
• Be prepared to answer questions about your work experience and your plans for working in the United States. If you are using your own company as the employer in the U.S., then there are a number of nuances and requirements to meet the requirements for using your own company.

If you are interested in applying for an O-1 visa, you should consult with an immigration attorney to discuss your specific situation.

Our O-1 visa immigration attorneys have a high approval rate for petitions filed, so you can rest assured knowing that your U.S. immigration is in good hands. Schedule your consultation and get started with your O-1 visa application today!