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The O-1 visa
permits an alien of extraordinary ability to come to the United
States to temporarily work or engage in his or her field of expertise.
In order to
qualify for an O-1 nonimmigrant visa it must be established that
the applicant is of extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts,
education, business, or athletics which has been demonstrated by
sustained national or international acclaim; and that the applicant's
achievements have been recognized in the field through extensive
documentation; and that the applicant seeks to enter the United
States to continue work in his or her area of extraordinary ability.
To establish
that an applicant is of extraordinary ability and qualifies for
an O-1 visa the following must be submitted:
- Documentation
of a major one-time achievement, such as receipt of a major award,
(e.g., Nobel Prize or Pulitzer Prize); OR,
- At least
three of the following types of documentation:
- Receipt
of nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards
for excellence in the applicant’s field;
- Membership
in associations in the relevant field that require outstanding
achievements of their members, as judged by recognized national
or international experts in the field;
- Published
material in professional or major trade publications or media
about the applicant. This material must relate to the applicant's
work in the relevant field, and must include the title, date
and author of the published material;
- Evidence
that the applicant acted as a judge of others' work in the
same or related field, individually or as a member of a panel;
- Evidence
of the applicant's original scientific or scholarly contributions
of major significance in the field, or authorship of scholarly
articles in professional journals or other major media;
- Evidence
of the applicant's employment in a "critical or essential
capacity'' for an organization or establishment with a distinguished
reputation;
- Evidence
of the applicant's past, present or future high salary or
other significantly high remuneration for services as compared
to others in the field.
Along with meeting
the above criteria a consultation letter will also be required.
A consultation letter for an O-1 applicant must address the applicant’s
ability and achievements in the relevant area of expertise. This
letter must come from a United States based association that governs
the applicant’s peers activities in the United States.
If you would
like to learn more about your specific visa options please send
a request to us at:
visas@usimmigrationlaw.net
or contact
Leibl &
Kirkwood
12865 Point Del Mar, Suite 190
Del Mar, CA 92014, USA
Tel. (858) 481-5211
Fax. (858) 481-7271
questions@usimmigrationlaw.net
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