In order to qualify for the O Visa, there are several requirements you must meet.
First, ask yourself three questions:
- Are you in sciences, education, business, or athletics?
- Are you in the arts or the motion picture or entertainment industry?
- Are you a recognized and renowned individual in your field?*
* Note that you must be able to say yes to this question.
If you said yes to the first question, you qualify for the O-1A Visa. In this case, you need to prove at least 3:
- Receipt of nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence in the field of endeavor;
- Membership in associations in the field for which classification is sought which require outstanding achievements of members, as judged by recognized national or international experts in the field;
- Published material in professional or major trade publications, or major media about the beneficiary and the beneficiary’s work in the field;
- Participation on a panel or as a judge of the work of others in the same or allied field of specialization;
- Original scientific, scholarly or business related contributions of major significance in the field;
- Authorship of articles in the field as shown in professional journals or other major media;
- Employment in a critical or essential capacity for organizations and establishments that have a distinguished reputation;
- A high salary or other remuneration for services in the past or future.
If you said yes to the second question, you qualify for the O-1B Visa. In this case, you need to prove at least 3:
- Evidence the beneficiary has performed and will perform services as a lead or starring participant in productions or events which have a distinguished reputation as evidenced by critical reviews, advertisements, publicity releases, publications, contracts or endorsements;
- Achieved national or international recognition for achievements, as shown by critical reviews or other published materials by or about the beneficiary in major newspapers, trade journals, magazines, or other publications;
- Performed and will perform in a lead, starring, or critical role for organizations and establishments that have a distinguished reputation evidenced by articles in newspapers, trade journals, publications, or testimonials;
- Record of major commercial or critically acclaimed successes, as shown by title, rating, standing in the field, box office receipts, motion picture or television ratings and other occupational achievements reported in trade journals, major newspapers or other publications;
- Received significant recognition for achievements from organizations, critics, government agencies or other recognized experts in the field in which the beneficiary is engaged; testimonials must clearly indicate the author’s authority, expertise and knowledge of the beneficiary’s achievements;
- Evidence the beneficiary has commanded or will command a high salary or other substantial remuneration for services in relation to others in the field.
Retaining an O-Visa lawyer with experience and knowledge of the process is absolutely necessary when handling such important immigration matters.
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