The O-1 nonimmigrant visa is for individuals who possess extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics, or who has a demonstrated record of extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry and has been recognized nationally or internationally for those achievements. O-1A classification is for those with extraordinary ability in Science, Education, Business or Athletics, and O-1 B classification is for those with extraordinary ability in the Arts.
While the O1 visa is a strictly non-immigrant classification, meaning that it is temporary and does not directly lead to a green card, the O-1 visa has a number of advantages over the H-1B and other visas, including:
If there is a downside to the O-1 category, it is the difficulty in qualifying by meeting the high level of achievement and credentials required. To qualify, the individual must be able to provide evidence of a one-time achievement of a major, international recognized award (such as the Nobel Prize, or the equivalent in the applicable field), or must demonstrate at least three (3) of the following:
If you believe you may meet the above criteria for O-1 visa classification, please Contact Us.
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