U.S. Immigration: O-1 Visa Category

U.S. Non-Immigrant Work Visas for Persons with Extraordinary Ability

OVERVIEW
The O-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa category for foreign nationals who are able to demonstrate extraordinary ability by sustained national or international acclaim. The beneficiary must be coming temporarily to the United States to continue work in the same area of extraordinary ability. Therefore the O-1 visa is an employment based status that allows qualified foreign nationals to live and work in the United States. For example, a recipient of an internationally recognized award, such as the Nobel Prize, may qualify for an O-1 visa category.

REQUIREMENTS
One of the requirements for eligibility is a written or oral contract between the petitioner and the beneficiary. A foreign national cannot obtain O-1 visas on their own and, in some cases, an offer of employment is required, along with supporting evidence of extraordinary ability.

OTHER CONDITIONS
While individuals with recognized extraordinary ability may belong to different fields such as sciences, arts, education, journalism, media, business, athletics, and entertainment including performing arts and motion picture, the eligibility criteria as well as supporting evidence vary from one field to another. Hence, the O visa is divided into sub-categories as follows:

• O-1A: May be granted to foreign nationals with an extraordinary ability in sciences, education, business, or athletics.
• O-1B: May be granted to foreign nationals with an extraordinary ability in the arts or extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry.

DEPENDENTS
Accompanying individuals and dependents of the beneficiary may obtain:

• O-2 visa: If accompanying individuals are assisting the O-1 visa holder in a specific event or performance.
• O-3 visa: If accompanying individuals are the spouse or children of O-1s and O-2s.
  

LATEST NEWS
Effective Jan. 17, 2017 there will be a 60-day grace period for non-immigrant workers in the USA following loss of employment. This new rule applies to foreign nationals in E-1, E-2, E-3, H-1B, H-1B1, L-1, O-1, or TN classification to allow them to apply for a change of employer or change of status. READ MORE...

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