To be eligible for an O-1 Visa, an individual must possess extraordinary ability or achievement in his area of expertise in the fields of the sciences, arts, athletics, business, or education. In addition to national or international recognition, the applicant must also have a job offer from an employer in the US to continue work in the area of extraordinary ability.
The O category is subdivided into four sub-categories:
A valid O visa has no time limit, and may be extended from the initial 3 years, for 1 year at a time, as long as the visa holder maintains the position and activity for which he applied the visa. Further, it allows unrestrained travel in and out of the US. In applying for the visa, there is no requirement to prove intent to return to your home country. Dependents of O visa holders may stay with him for the duration of his status, and may attend school full or part time. They may not work during their stay in the US.
The O category is subdivided into four sub-categories:
- O1A, O1B: Individuals applying for O1A visa work in the sciences, business, education, or athletics sectors. Individuals applying for O1B visa work in the arts, motion picture, or television industries.
- O3: Spouses and children (under 21) of O1 visa holders may be eligible for O3 visa.
- O2: To be eligible for O-2 Visas, the individual must show his assistance is critical to the O1 holder’s performance, and that there is no readily available US employee to do the same work.
A valid O visa has no time limit, and may be extended from the initial 3 years, for 1 year at a time, as long as the visa holder maintains the position and activity for which he applied the visa. Further, it allows unrestrained travel in and out of the US. In applying for the visa, there is no requirement to prove intent to return to your home country. Dependents of O visa holders may stay with him for the duration of his status, and may attend school full or part time. They may not work during their stay in the US.