O-1 Visa

Within the O Visa category, there are a number of different classifications. These cover a range of different fields and your area of expertise will determine which type of visa you’ll need to apply for.

The O visas are set out as the following:

• O-1A: For individuals who have an extraordinary ability and/or achievements in the areas of sciences, education, business or athletics (not including the television or motion pictures industries)
• O-1B: For individuals who have an extraordinary ability and/or achievements in the arts or motion picture/television industries
• O-2: For those who will accompany an athlete or artist to a specific event or performance in the U.S
• O-3: For those who are the spouse or children or either an O-1 or O-2 Visa holder.

The standard for being granted an O-1 Visa is very high, and anyone looking to obtain an O-1 Visa will need to prove they meet the criteria.

If you’re accomplished in your field of work and have extraordinary achievements or abilities then you may be eligible for the O-1 Visa.

To qualify, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• For sciences, education, business or athletics: applicants must be distinguished in their field
• For those in the field of  arts: applicants must be distinguished and have above average achievements as a well-known, renowned or lading figure in their chosen
• For those in motion picture or television: applicants need distinction, meaning they must be recognized as someone with a higher degree of skill than others in their industry

As an additional requirement, those making an application for an O-1 Visa must be travelling to the United States to partake in their chosen work for a specified period of time. This is the duration of time the visa will be allocated for.

If you believe you’re eligible for the O-1 Visa and would like to start your application, you should know there are a number of steps you must take during the process.

Form I-129

The first step is getting your employer or agent in the U.S to fill out a Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker, also known as the Form I-129, with the USCIS. The cost of this is $460.

Once that’s submitted, the USCIS will process the petition and give your employer or agent a decision on your application. If your application is approved, you can then move onto the next part of the process which is completing the DS-160.

DS-160

The DS-160 is a digital application form that you must fill out yourself. You can find this form online at the  Consular Electronic Application Center website.

Once you’ve completed this form, you must print out the confirmation page. This will be taken to the interview later in the process.

Pay the fee

Next, you’ll need to pay the O-1 Visa fee. Currently, the cost of this is $190. When you attend your face-to-face appointment, you’ll need to show proof that this has been paid so whether you pay online or via bank transfer, remember to save your receipt.

Schedule your interview

Once your DS-160 has been submitted and you’ve paid your application fee, the next step is to make an appointment at your nearest U.S embassy. The website you should use to schedule this appointment will depend on your location: if you’re in Asia you should use ustraveldocs.com. If you’re located anywhere else, then you do this on ais.usvisa-info.com

Gather documents

A key part of the application process is gathering all the evidence requested by the USCIS. This evidence is essential so the USCIS can establish you meet the requirements of your visa, your reasons for travelling to the U.Sare genuine and you are who you say you are.

The portfolio of documents you’ll need to submit is extensive, and we’ll list exactly what’s required further down in this guide.

Attend your interview

The final part of the process is attending your interview. When attending the interview, it’s important you remember to take all of your supporting documentation.

During the interview, you’ll be asked a series of questions to determine why you intend to travel to the U.S, and you’ll also be quizzed about your achievements in your field. Remember to be honest, and try to give as much detail as possible.

Once you’ve completed your face-to-face appointment, you’ve done everything required and you should just wait for a decision. You should find out whether your application has been a success or not soon.

If you’re granted an O-1 Visa, initially you’ll be permitted to stay in the U.S for a maximum period of 3 years.

Once that initial time period has expired, you can apply for extensions to your visa. These extensions are only obtainable in 12-month increments.

Although you’ll be extending a pre-existing visa, you’ll be required to complete much of the original paperwork again. You’ll be required to submit a new application, along with the following:

• Form I-129, petition for nonimmigrant worker
• Copy of your Form I-94, as well as details of your arrival/departure in the U.S
• A statement detailing why the extension is needed. Your employer should set out the reasons why you came to the U.S, and they must also confirm you intend to work in the same activity if your extension is granted

It’s likely that anyone making an application for an O-1 Visa will want to know how long it usually takes to process this type of visa. After all, many who need to enter the U.S with n O-1 Visa may have deadlines to meet.

While it’s impossible to predict exactly how long you’ll be waiting for a decision, the process usually takes between 2 and 3 months.

For those who cannot wait that long, there’s the option to fast-track your application with Premium Processing, which will mean you have a decision on your application within 15 days.

However, it isn’t cheap, and this will currently set you back $1,500, which is considerably more than the standard processing which costs $460.

Keep in mind that any missing documentation or paperwork filled out incorrectly is likely to cause severe delays, so it pays to make sure everything is in order when you submit your application.

If you have family members and you’re applying for an O-1 or O-2 Visa, you might be wondering whether or not you’ll be able to bring dependants to the United States with you. If so, you’ll be glad to know the answer is yes, you can.

This is done with what’s known as an O-3 Visa, and if you’re granted either an O-1 or an O-2 Visa then you’ll be permitted to bring with them their spouse, as well as any children under the age of 21.

Your dependents can apply either at the same time as you or after you’ve settled in the U.S. The application process is similar in nature to the O-1 Visa, although there’s no petition required for dependants.

The conditions of an O-3 Visa are different to that of the O-2 Visa O-1 Visa. The most important distinction is dependents won’t be able to work while in the U.S., although they can undertake studies.

If you came across this guide to the O-1 Visa as you’re considering making an application then hopefully you now have a good understanding of all the key details. However, if you’re still unsure of anything, or you’d like to know your options moving forward, then we’re here to help.

Visa matters can be complex and confusing at the best of times, which is why it’s always a good idea to get some professional legal advice. Our immigration lawyers are specialists in this field, so whether you require step-by-step assistance, or you’re just unsure of something and need a little guidance, we have a range of bespoke packages to suit you.

Email or call us on +1 844 290 6312 today to find out how we can help with your application.