O-1 Visa Status

O-1 Visa: Individuals with Extraodinary Ability or Achievement

The O-1 Visa allows foreign nationals who have demonstrated extraordinary ability in sciences, education, business, athletics, the arts, or in the motion picture or television industries to visit the United States temporarily to work in the field.

An employer must petition on behalf of their foreign employee. The employee must have sustained national or international acclaim and must plan to continue to work in their area of extraordinary ability.

O1A: Individuals with an extraordinary ability in the sciences, education, business, or athletics.

O1-B: Individuals with an extraordinary ability in the arts or entertainement in motion picture or television industry.

O-2: Individuals who accompany an O-1 artist or athlete, to assist in a specific event or performance.

O-3: Individuals who are the spouse or chidlren of O-1s and O-2s.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Employee must have reached and sustained national or international acclaim, has risen to the very top of their field, or has been recognized for their extraordinary ability.

• Employee must be coming to the United States to work temporarily in their area of extraordinary ability.

• Employer and employee must have a contract for employment detailing the itinerary.

• Employee must work for petitioning employer.

• Employee, spouse and children must be admissible to the U.S.