Extraordinary Worker Visas
The O-1 Visa is for people with extraordinary ability in athletics, education, business, arts, and sciences or with a record of extraordinary achievement.
What are the requirements for an O-1 visa?
- Nomination for or receipt of significant national or international awards or prizes such as an Emmy, Grammy, Academy Award or a Director’s Guild Award; or
- Documentation of at least three of the following:
- Performance in a lead, starring or critical role for organizations and establishments that have a distinguished reputation as shown by articles in newspapers, publications, trade journals, or testimonials;
- Significant recognition for achievements from critics, organizations, governments agencies or other recognized experts in your field. Such testimonials must indicate the author’s authority, knowledge of your achievements, and expertise;
- Past, current or future performance as a lead or starring participant in productions or events which have a distinguished reputation as evidenced by advertisements, endorsements or publicity;
- A record of major commercial or critically acclaimed success, as evidenced by such indicators as rating, title or standing in the field, credit for original research or production development, motion or television ratings, box office receipts, and other occupational achievements reported in major newspapers, trade journals or other publications;
- National or international recognition for achievements evidenced by critical reviews of other published materials by or about you in major trade journals, newspapers, magazines or other publications; or
- Evidence of a high salary or substantial remuneration for services in relation to others in the field.
Other comparable evidence may be considered if the above standards do not readily apply to your occupation. Applicants with extraordinary ability in education, business, the sciences or athletics. This category requires either of the following: 1) receipt of a major internationally-recognized award, such as the Nobel Prize; or At least three of the following forms of documentation:
- Evidence of receiving a high salary or other remuneration for services;
- Evidence of participation on a panel, or individually, as a judge of the work of others in the same field or in an allied field of specialization;
- Documentation of receipt of nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence in the field of endeavor;
- Evidence of employment in a critical or essential capacity for organizations with a distinguished reputation;
- Published material in professional or major trade publications or major media about you, relating to the work in the field for which classification is sought. This must include title, date and author of the published material and translation, if necessary;
- Evidence of authorship of scholarly articles in the field in professional journals or other major media;
- Documentation of membership in associations in the field for which classification is sought, which require outstanding achievements of their members, as judged by recognized national or international experts in the disciplines or fields.
- Evidence of original scholarly, scientific or business-related contributions of major significance in the field.
How long is an O-1 visa valid?
You are admitted to the U.S. for the duration of the production, activity or event. This may include a group of related activities or an entire season of performances. This may include short vacations and stopovers and could comprise an academic year or business or the term required for a specific scientific project.
Who qualifies for an O-2 visa?
An O-2 visa is to accompany and assist an O-1 visa holder in a specific artistic or athletic event. O-2 visas are also to accompany or assist an O-1 visa holder in the television or motion picture industry. O-2 visas are not available if you accompany or assist O-1 visa holders in business, education or science.
What are the requirements of an O-2 visa?
O-2 visa holders that accompany O-1 visa holders in a specific artistic or athletic event must be an integral part of the performance and have critical skills and experience, which cannot be performed by other individuals.
O-2 visa holders that accompany O-1 visa holders in the television and motion picture industry must have experience or skills that are critical for the O-1 visa holder because of either of the following:
- A longstanding working relationship; or
- The continuing participation of the applicant is essential to the competition of the production.
How long is the O-2 visa valid?
You are admitted to the U.S. for the duration of the activity, event or production for which the O-1 visa holder is admitted.
Who qualifies for an O-3 visa?
O-3 visa is for the children and spouse of an O-1 or O-2 visa holder.
What are the requirements of an O-3 visa?
The O-3 visa is for the children and spouse of an O-1 or O-2 visa holder that are accompanying or following to join the O-1 or O-2 visa holder.
How long is the O-3 visa valid?
You are admitted for the duration of the event, production or activity for which the O-1 or O-2 visa holder is admitted.
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