An individual with extraordinary abilities in the sciences, arts, business, education, or athletics may qualify for an O1 visa to work in the U.S. Demonstrating extraordinary ability in this context can be a complicated process requiring extensive documentation — a process that is difficult, complex, and requires a deep knowledge of the system. You need an O1 visa attorney with experience, who knows the ropes in immigration.

Attorney Richard Tashjian with the Tashjian Law Group PC has almost 25 years of experience in immigration law. He has successfully represented many high-profile clients and is widely recognized as one of the top immigration lawyers in U.S. He has the knowledge and experience to skillfully handle your O1 visa petition.

Features of O1 Visas

Artists, actors, performers, scientists, educators, and athletes of extraordinary ability may apply for O1 visas when they have been offered work in the U.S. Features of this work visa include:

• No numerical limit on O1 visas issued within a given year.
• Spouses and unmarried children under age 21 may accompany an O1 visa holder into the country, but may not work while they are here.
• O1 visa holders and their spouses and children may travel in and out of the country or remain in the U.S. during the period that the visa remains valid.
• O1 visas are usually issued relatively quickly.
• O1 visas are granted for a specified length of time — long enough for a particular event — up to 3 years maximum. However, extensions may be granted indefinitely in one-year increments.
• O1 visa holders may legally work in the U.S. only for the O1 visa sponsor.

Requirements to Obtain an O1 Visa

To obtain an O1 visa, a foreign individual must have a job offer in the U.S. and proven extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, business, education, or athletics. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has very specific criteria and extensive documentation requirements to establish that the applicant has extraordinary ability. An experienced O1 visa attorney can help you navigate these waters.

To meet USCIS standards for extraordinary ability in the sciences, business, education, or athletics, the applicant must show extraordinary ability and sustained national or international acclaim for that ability. This can be accomplished with an internationally recognized award, such as a Pulitzer Prize or an Olympic medal, or comparable evidence of extraordinary ability.

Individuals with extraordinary ability in the field of the arts must first, be coming to the U.S. to perform in that area of extraordinary ability. Second, he or she must be recognized as prominent in that field to qualify for an O1 visa. An applicant must show receipt of or nomination for a major national or international award, such as an Oscar, Emmy, or Grammy, and also provide additional documentation as specified by USCIS.

Get Legal Help from an O1 Visa Attorney

Applying for an O1 visa is not a simple undertaking. An experienced O1 visa attorney who knows the ropes can help streamline the process and pave the way to success. At the Tashjian Law Group PC, we have a history of success handling O1 visa petitions for all types of extraordinary people. Contact our office to arrange for a consultation. With an estimated 99% success rate for our client, when you work with our firm you can be confident that your application will be managed correctly.