The O-1 non-immigrant visa was established to enable non-US citizens with extraordinary ability to enter and work in the United States of America.

Candidates applying for the O-1 visa must be coming to the United States to work in their field of endeavor. They must have an employer or US agent file a petition.

The O1 visa applicant must fit into one of three different categories; they need to have one of either: 

• Extraordinary ability in the sciences, education, business or athletics;
• Extraordinary ability in the arts;
• Or experienced extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or TV industries.

Qualifying Criteria
The qualifying criteria for the O-1 visa is stringent and only applicants who have received awards or major prizes for achievement in their field, such as a Nobel peace prize or other internationally recognized awards should apply.
 
The O-1 visa may be issued initially for three years, or as is often the case in respect of athletes and performing artists, as long as is deemed necessary to finish competition or complete an activity.  

The spouse and unmarried children under the age of twenty-one of an O-1 visa holder may apply for O-3 visa status in order to accompany the O-1 visa holder to the United States.

An O-1 Visa holder individual may work for more than one employer at the same time so long as each employer has filed a successful separate petition. Similarly, an O-1 indivual may change employers as long as the new employer has filed a petition.

Get started by filling in the US Immigration Questionnaire