O-1A Visa
O-1 Visa is a nonimmigrant worker visa issued to foreign nationals who have extraordinary abilities or achievements in fields such as sciences, education, business, or athletics.
Eligibility Requirements:
- The applicant must be coming to work in the U.S. temporarily.
- The applicant must be a person of either nationally or internationally acclaimed ability in science, education, business, or athletics.
USCIS acknowledges internationally recognized awards such as Nobel and Pulitzer Prizes, or Olympic medals as evidence of international success. However, if the applicant does not have such an award, s/he is expected to meet at least three of the following criteria to be eligible for O-1A Visa;
- If the applicant has an award that is of lesser importance. This could be recognized both nationally and internationally.
- If the applicant is a member of an organization that requires extraordinary ability or achievement to be a part of.
- If the applicant has considerable contributions to distinguished professional publications.
- If the applicant has a proven record of significant contribution to his/her field of expertise.
- If the applicant has various academic articles in his/her field.
- If the applicant has achieved commercial success or a large salary for his/her work
- If the applicant has been a judge evaluating the works of his/her peers.
- If the applicant has been in an essential position of a reputable organization related to his/her field.
Family Members:
The spouses and unmarried children (under the age of 21) can accompany the applicant with an O-3 Visa. Their O-3 Visa validity duration will be the same as the applicant's, and they will be subjected to the same limitations that you are subjected to.
FAQ:
Fortunately, no!
Your initial stay can be a maximum of three years.
Yes, you can. However, USCIS makes extension decisions on a case-by-case basis. Extensions can be granted for up to one year in increments.
No, they cannot. However, they can study full or part-time under O-3 status.