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O Visas
The O category is reserved for: - Aliens of extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics
(O-1),
- the artist's or athlete's support staff (O-2),
and
- the O-1's spouse and/or child(ren) (O-3).
O-1 Extraordinary Ability (Science, Education, Business,
or Athletics) The O-1 Visa category applies
to aliens coming temporarily who have extraordinary ability in the sciences, education, business, or athletics
(not including the arts, motion pictures or television, described below) To qualify, the alien must
be coming to the U.S. to work in his or her area of extraordinary ability or achievement. There is currently no annual cap
on O visas. Petition Document Requirements
- A written advisory opinion from a peer group (including
labor organizations) or a person designated by the group with expertise in the alien's area of ability;
- A copy of any written contract between the employer and the alien or a summary of the
terms of the oral agreement under which the alien will be employed;
- Evidence
that the alien has received a major, internationally-recognized award, such as a Nobel Prize, or evidence of at least three
of the following:
- 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, as judged by recognized
international experts;
- Published material in professional or major
trade publications, newspapers or other major media about the alien and his work in the field for which classification is
sought;
- Original scientific, scholarly, or business-related contributions
of major significance in the field;
- Authorship of scholarly articles
in professional journals or other major media in the field for which classification is sought;
- A high salary or other remuneration for services as evidenced by contracts or other reliable evidence;
- Participation on a panel, or individually, as a judge of the work
of others in the same or in a field of specialization allied to that field for which classification is sought;
- Employment in a critical or essential capacity for organizations and establishments
that have a distinguished reputation.
If the above
standards do not readily apply to the alien's occupation, the petitioner may submit comparable evidence in order to establish
the alien's eligibility. O-1 Extraordinary
Ability (Arts, Motion Picture, or Television) The
O-1 category also applies to aliens who are coming temporarily and have extraordinary ability in the arts
or extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry. Petition Document Requirements
A U.S. employer should file the I-129 petition with: - A written
advisory opinion, describing the alien's ability as follows:
- If
the petition is based on the alien's extraordinary ability in the arts, the consultation must be from a peer group (including
labor organizations) in the alien's field; or a person or persons designated by the group with expertise in the alien's
area of ability
- If the petition is based on the alien's extraordinary
achievements in the motion picture or television industry, separate consultations are required from a labor and a management
organization with expertise in the alien's field of endeavor.
- A copy of any written contract between the employer and the alien or a summary of the
terms of the oral agreement under which the alien will be employed;
- Evidence
the alien has received, or been nominated for, significant national or international awards or prizes in the particular field,
such as an Academy Award, Emmy, Grammy or Director's Guild Award, or evidence of at least three of the following:
- Performed or 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 individual in major
newspapers, trade journals, magazines, or other publications;
- A
record of major commercial or critically acclaimed successes, as shown by such indicators as title, rating or 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 alien is engaged, with the testimonials clearly indicating the author's authority, expertise and knowledge of
the alien's achievements;
- A high salary or other substantial
remuneration for services in relation to others in the field, as shown by contracts or other reliable evidence.
If the above standards do not readily apply to the alien's occupation, the petitioner
may submit comparable evidence in order to establish the alien's eligibility. The O-2 category applies to aliens accompanying an O-1 artist or athlete to assist
in a specific event or performance. This person would be acting as an essential and integral part of the artistic or athletic
performance of an O-1 artist or athlete because he or she performs support services which cannot be readily
performed by a U.S. worker and which are essential to the successful performance of the O-1. Petition Document Requirements The petition must be filed by a U.S. employer in conjunction with the filing of the O-1 alien petition
and must be filed with: - A written advisory opinion.
- If the O-2 petition is for an alien accompanying an O-1 alien of extraordinary ability
in the arts, the opinion must be from a labor organization with expertise in the skill area involved.
- If the O-2 petition is for an alien accompanying an O-1 alien of extraordinary achievement
in the field of motion picture or television, the opinion must be from a labor organization and a management organization
with expertise in the skill area involved.
- Evidence of the current essentiality, critical skills, and experience of the O-2 alien
with the O-1 alien, and that the alien has substantial experience utilizing the critical skills and essential support services
for the O-1. In the case of a specific motion picture or television production, the evidence shall establish that significant
production has taken place outside the U.S., and will take place inside the U.S. and that the continuing participation of
the alien is essential to the successful completion of the production.
O-3 Dependents Spouses
and minor children (dependents) of O-1's are admitted under O-3 status with the same restrictions as the principal. They
may not work in the U.S. under this classification.
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