The O-1 visa is a non-immigrant, employment-based visa type specifically designated for foreigners with proven extraordinary abilities in the science, business, education, athletics, art, motion picture, or television industry. So, simply being employed in one of the fields is not even, as you must meet the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service’s (USCIS) definition of “extraordinary.” With that in mind, please read on to discover the necessary evidence to obtain an O-1 visa and how one of the seasoned work visa lawyers at Lupton Law LLC can help you gather it.
What are the benefits of having an O-1 visa?
It may be more difficult to obtain an O-1 visa than it is an H-1B visa. As a reminder, an H-1B visa is a non-immigrant, employment-based visa intended for foreigners with a Bachelor’s degree or higher in a specialty occupation (i.e., medicine and health, physical and social sciences, business specialties, education, architecture, engineering, etc).
Namely, if the USCIS approves you for an O-1 visa, you may be able to renew it every year indefinitely, so long as you continue to meet its qualification criteria. Further, you may not have to commit to one United States-based employer during your stay; rather, you may work for multiple employers and pursue entrepreneurial opportunities simultaneously. It is also worth mentioning that, when applying, you do not have to wait for a specific registration period or lottery system to open up, but instead move forward when it best works for you and your career plans.
What is the necessary evidence to get approved for an O-1 visa?
While everything about the O-1 visa may sound great to you, you must first ensure that you supplement your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, with the necessary evidence to establish your extraordinary abilities or achievements. Now, the proof that you may possess and share may vary depending on which industry you work in. Nonetheless, specific examples for each industry read as follows:
- Proof of extraordinary ability in science: prestigious international or national prizes or awards for scientific excellence (i.e., the Nobel Prize).
- Proof of extraordinary ability in business: service in critical leadership roles in notable companies with high-paying salaries (i.e., CEO).
- Proof of extraordinary ability in education: research contributions within the educational field through publications, grants, or citations.
- Proof of extraordinary ability in athletics: participation and notable success in high-level athletic competitions (i.e., an Olympic gold medal).
- Proof of extraordinary achievements in art: published critical reviews of your artistic works inside and outside the United States.
- Proof of extraordinary achievements in motion picture and television: critical or lead roles in well-known motion picture or television productions.
There are more requirements than what is mentioned above. In conclusion, if you are ready to apply for a nonimmigrant employment-based visa, please first retain the services of one of the competent work visa lawyers. Our team at Lupton Law LLC is ready and able to take on your case.
