The O Visa Explained

Artists’ and athletes’ visas are specially intended to allow internationally recognized professionals to come to the US. These are all non-immigrant visas good for 1 to 5 years depending on the case and the type of visa. None of these visas require correspondence with the Department of Labor, but they do require consultations with the appropriate labor organization or guild if one exists.

An experienced immigration attorney can help you determine the best way to address this requirement for your specific case.

The O-1 visa is a nonimmigrant for individuals who possess extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics, or who have a demonstrated record of extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry and have been recognized nationally or internationally for those achievements.

The O-1 visa applicant is required to demonstrate extraordinary ability in a specific field. To support the petition, there must be evidence of the applicant’s having received a major internationally recognized award or at least three of the following: