O-1 Visa - Extraordinary Ability
For individuals with extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics.
Overview
The O-1A visa is a non-immigrant employment-based visa for foreign nationals who demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim in sciences, education, business, or athletics. This visa offers significant advantages over the H-1B, including no lottery requirement and year-round filing.
Requirements
To qualify, you must demonstrate at least 3 of the following criteria:
- Receipt of nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards
- Membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements
- Published material in professional or major trade publications
- Original scientific, scholarly, or business contributions of major significance
- Authorship of scholarly articles in professional journals
- High salary or remuneration for services
- Participation as a judge of others' work
- Employment in critical capacity for distinguished organizations
Benefits
- ✓ No H-1B lottery participation required
- ✓ File any time during the year
- ✓ Easier pathway to green card
- ✓ Can be extended indefinitely
- ✓ Spouse can work with EAD