O-1 Visa:
An O-1Visa is a US employment based visa given to people with "extraordinary ability" in the fields of Arts, Athletics, Business, Education, or Science. The category "O-1 Visa" actually refers to two distinct work visas, an O-1A and an O-1B Visa. Although their benefits are the same, the criteria needed to qualify for the visas are different. Those seeking to work in the field of Arts must apply for an O-1B Visa, while those seeking to work in the fields of Athletics, Business, Education, or Science will be applying for an O-1A Visa
If granted an O-1 Visa, you can bring both your support staff and your dependents. The O-1 Visa allows you to live and work in the US for your 'sponsor', or the employer you applied for the Visa with. If your sponsor is an agent, you can work for any employer in the US, provided they contract with you through your sponsoring agent. In order to qualify for an O-1 Visa you have to show that you have a job offer in the US, and that you have achievements in your field of work that tend to demonstrate you have an 'extraordinary ability'. An O-1 Visa is sometime referred to as an 'artist visa' because it is the visa of choice for foreign artists working in the US, although it is not exclusively for artists. Some examples of the diverse field of O-1 Visa holders are Doctors, Professors, Executives, Actors, and Baseball players.
The processing time for an O-1 Visa is approximately 3 months.
Benefits:
- You can live in the US
- You can work in the US
- You can freely travel in and out of the US
- You can bring O-3 Visa dependents with you
- You can study in the US part-time
- You do not need to prove intent to return home
- You can freely transfer to a different visa
- You can pursue permanent residency
- No limit on number distributed by the US
Fee Details:
- USCIS Application Fee - $325
- Premium Processing Fee* - $1225