Temporary Nonimmigrant Work Visas

A nonimmigrant visa grants you temporary stay in the United States. When your visa expires, you must leave the United States unless you have applied for Legal Permanent Residency.

The O-1 extraordinary ability visa is reserved for individuals who have achieved significant distinction in their field.

What is the O-1 Visa?

The O-1 visa is for individuals with extraordinary ability or achievement in science, education, business, athletics, or the arts.

It is also available for individuals with extraordinary achievement in the motion picture and television industry.

O-1 Visa Categories

O-1A Visa

The O-1A visa is for individuals with extraordinary ability in:

• Science
• Education
• Business
• Athletics

O-1B Visa

The O-1B visa is for individuals with extraordinary achievement in:

• Motion pictures
• Television industry
• Arts and entertainment

O-2 Visa

The O-2 visa is for individuals who accompany an O-1 artist or athlete to assist in a specific event or performance.

O-3 Visa

The O-3 visa is for the spouse and unmarried children under 21 of O-1 or O-2 visa holders.

O-1 Visa Requirements

To qualify for an O-1 visa, the applicant must:

• Be coming temporarily to the United States
• Work in a field where they have received national or international recognition
• Demonstrate extraordinary ability or achievement in their field
• Provide evidence of professional distinction

O-2 Visa Requirements

To qualify for an O-2 visa, the applicant must show:

• They are an essential part of the O-1A or O-1B performance
• Their skills and experience are critical to the event or production
• A U.S. worker cannot easily perform the duties

O-1 Visa Duration

• Initial validity: up to 3 years
• Extensions: up to 1-year increments
• Based on the duration of the event, work, or project

Family of O-1 Visa Holders

Spouses and unmarried children under 21 may qualify for O-3 dependent visas.

O-3 visa holders are not authorized to work in the United States but may attend school.

Total Dedication

Whether your immigration concern involves an O-1 or O-2 visa or another matter, you can rely on our experience and dedication.

Our immigration law firm assists with permanent residency, citizenship, marriage-based adjustment, work visas, deportation defense, asylum, and other immigration matters.

We also assist employers with H-1B visas, H-2B visas, B-1 business visas, student visas, and other employment-based immigration options.

Please contact us for more information so we may determine your best available option.