The O visas are divided in these categories:
- O1 visa – is a visa for those who show expert knowledge in science, business, education, athletics, or art.
- O2 visa – is designed for the personnel or assisting people of the O1 visa holders
- O3 visa – is a visa for the spouses and children of O1 and O2 visa holders
How to get an O visa?
Non-Immigrant Visa Category “O”
- Your actual Passport or Travel Document. (Passport or Travel Document must not expire within 6 months and contain at least ONE completely empty visa page).
- One original visa application form completely filled out (black and blue ink only) (Download)
- Two passport-size photographs (2″x2″) (photocopy or photo taken from Photostat will not be accepted). ...
How to get O1 visa?
How to apply for a Green Card With an O-1 Visa?
- Have an Employer Petition for You. Just as your employer filed a petition for you to USCIS for an O-1 visa, you must find an employer who is willing to ...
- Self-Petition. Since this visa is extremely prestigious and difficult to obtain, USCIS has also allowed people to self-petition.
- National Interest Waiver. ...
Which visa should I apply for?
- Transit visa
- Tourism visa
- Visa for Visiting Family or Friends
- Business visa
- Visa for Culture and Sport activities
- Visa for Official Visits
- Study visa
- Visa for Medical Reasons
What is non O visa in Thailand?
Non – Immigrant Visa (O) (Family member) ———————————– Purpose of visit: to stay with family in Thailand as : . 1. A person who used to have Thai nationality and wish to visit Thai relatives or to return to live in Thailand.
How long is an O-1 visa good for?
three yearsThe O-1 visa may be valid for an initial period of three years and may be extended indefinitely in one-year increments. J-1 visa holders may be able to obtain an O-1 visa even if they are subject to the two-year home residency requirement.
How difficult is it to get an O-1 visa?
The approval rate for O-1 visas is quite high and generally between 80% and 95%, depending on the service center.
How long does an O visa take?
about 2 weeks to 3 monthsAs stated, current processing times for O1 petitions with USCIS range from about 2 weeks to 3 months. The application process for an O1 visa involves submitting all required supporting evidence, along with the form I-129 and the I-129 O Supplement.
How long do O visas last?
O-1 visas are initially granted for an initial period of three years. After that, you will need to get an extension on your visa in intervals of one year each. Fortunately, there is no limit to the number of extensions you can receive.
Who qualifies for an O visa?
To qualify for an O-1 visa, you must demonstrate extraordinary ability by sustained national or international acclaim, or a record of extraordinary achievement in the motion picture and television industry, and must be coming temporarily to the United States to continue work in the area of extraordinary ability.
Who can sponsor O-1 visa?
Although the O-1 visa is contingent on you finding employment in the United States, your sponsor does not necessarily have to be your employer. Your sponsor can be your actual employer, an individual who represents you and your employer, professionally, or someone who acts on the behalf of you and your employer.
How much does an O visa cost?
The standard processing fee of an O1 visa is $460. If you opt for premium processing, you will have to spend an additional $1,410 on top of the standard fee. The USCIS holds the right to either approve or deny your case. It can also ask for additional evidence (RFE).
Can you apply for green card with O visa?
Unlike most temporary US work visas, the O-1 visa offers holders a path to a Green Card. You can do this by making an application to change your status from O-1 to permanent resident, provided you meet the Green Card eligibility requirements.
Does O-1 visa lead to green card?
However, the O1 visa is a non-immigrant visa and does not directly lead to a green card. To go from an O1 visa to green card, you must convert to an immigrant classification. Some of the immigrant classifications to consider are the EB1A visa, EB2 National Interest Waiver, and sponsorship by a US company.
What can you do with an O visa?
As an O-1 holder, your employment is restricted only to the activities and events for which your visa was granted. You cannot engage in any other activity outside the itineraries submitted to the USCIS as part of your visa application. Also, your employment must commence on the date authorized by the USCIS.
Do you need a job offer for O-1 visa?
Qualification Criteria for an O-1 Visa or Status. O-1 visas are available to people who have not only a job offer in the U.S., but proven extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics.
Is O-1 visa better than H-1B?
The H-1B visa is a good fit for foreign nationals in the early to mid-stages of their careers who hope to expand their experience by working in the U.S. The O-1 visa, on the other hand, is generally suited for people who have already advanced in their profession.
Is O-1 visa better than H-1B?
The H-1B visa is a good fit for foreign nationals in the early to mid-stages of their careers who hope to expand their experience by working in the U.S. The O-1 visa, on the other hand, is generally suited for people who have already advanced in their profession.
Is O-1 visa easier than eb1a?
Eligibility of the O-1 is easier to obtain than the EB-1A The EB-1A visa also includes a totality clause that allows USCIS to scrutinize EB-1A petitions much harder than the O-1 visa. However, if an applicant is able to obtain the O-1 visa, it is a tremendous signal that the EB-1A is possible.
What is an O-1 visa?
The O-1 visa is for the individual who has extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics, or who has a demonstrated record of extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry, and has been recognized nationally or internationally for those achievements.
What is an O nonimmigrant?
The O nonimmigrant classification covers several categories: O-1A: Individuals with an extraordinary ability in the sciences, education, business, or athletics (not including individuals with an extraordinary ability in the arts); O-1B: Individuals with an extraordinary ability in the arts or extraordinary achievement in ...
Who is an O-3?
O-3: Individuals who are the spouse or children of O-1 and O-2 visa holders.
What is an O-1B?
O-1B: Individuals with an extraordinary ability in the arts or extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry; O-2: Individuals who will accompany an O-1 artist or athlete, to assist in a specific event or performance; and.
What is an O-1A visa?
As a reminder, the O-1A visa is primarily meant for individuals applying in the fields of science, education, business, or athletics, and its requirements are thus tailored to those fields. Therefore applicants must first present evidence that they were awarded a major, internationally known award – such as the Nobel Prize or an Olympic Medal. If they can’t do it, they must meet three of the following criteria:
How long does it take to get an O-1 visa?
After conducting the interview, you must wait for the visa application to be processed. Typically, it takes like 2-3 months for O-1 visa process. But there is another option, if you’d like to shorten this time, you can pay an additional fee for premium processing. Premium processing ensures your visa will be processed within 15 days.
Is O-1 the same as EB1?
The O-1 is very similar to the EB1-1 Extraordinary Ability Green Card. However, it is also worth noting that the permanent residency option, that gives the Green Card, requires evidence of more perpetual achievement. If you can’t conform to that standard, you may look at the EB2 (Exceptional ability) or EB3 (Labor Certification) Green Cards.
Is it worth getting an O-1 visa?
Obtaining an O-1 visa might seem like a difficult, long-term, and expensive process. While that’ s probably true , it’s still worth it, if it’s the most logical fit for your needs. All the more, you may significantly facilitate this process with help of lawyers, media agencies, and consultants.
What is an O visa?
Short-term employment visas are available to certain foreign-born people doing specialized work in the U.S. , including the O visa for outstanding workers in the sciences, arts, athletics, education, or business.
How long can an O visa be granted?
O visas will be granted for the length of time necessary for a particular event, up to a maximum of three years, with unlimited extensions in one-year increments.
What is required to get an O-1 visa?
To meet the O-1 visa standards, the applicant must be able to show extraordinary ability and receipt of sustained national or international acclaim for it. This can be demonstrated if the person has gotten a major internationally recognized award, such as an Olympic medal or a Pulitzer Prize, or has accomplished at least three of the following:
What is the eligibility criteria for a short term work visa?
work visas available to people with job offers to do outstanding work in the sciences, arts, athletics, education, or business.
What happens if the above criteria do not apply to the applicant's occupation?
If the above criteria do not readily apply to the applicant's occupation, the company filing the immigration petition may submit comparable evidence to show how "extraordinary" the person really is. The company should take care to explain exactly why the above criteria do not apply to the applicant.
Who can help you with immigration?
You might also wish to consult an immigration attorney for a full personal analysis of your eligibility, and for help with the application process. Nolo's Lawyer Directory can help you find an expert attorney who fits your needs. Look in particular for an attorney with expertise in business immigration law (even immigration law has many subspecialties within it).
Can an O visa be used to work in the US?
Some of the advantages and disadvantages of the O visa or status include: O visa holders can work legally in the U.S. for the O visa sponsor. If, however, the worker wants to change jobs, a new visa is necessary. O visas can be issued fairly quickly.
How Can I Use a Visa to Enter the United States?
Having a U.S. visa allows you to travel to a port of entry, airport or land border crossing, and request permission of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Customs and Border Protection (CBP) inspector to enter the United States. While having a visa does not guarantee entry to the United States, it does indicate a consular officer at a U.S.
What Types of Visas Are There?
The type of visa you must obtain is defined by U.S. immigration law, and relates to the purpose of your travel. There are two main categories of U.S. visas:
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What Is the O-1 Visa?
The O-1 visa is a temporary work permit for those with extraordinary talents or skills. It's an easy visa to get, but only if the job is set up ahead of time and the person doing the job has special skills that the position needs.
How Does the O-1 Visa Work?
The O-1 visa offers a lot of permissions you can't always count on otherwise. With this visa , you can live and work freely in the United States, at least as long as you stick with one job and keep up your relationship with your sponsor. You can also study as a part-time student if you want.
Who Sponsors an O-1 Visa?
To get an O-1 visa, you need a U.S.-based agent, because foreign individuals can't petition for themselves. This agent can be a U.S. employer, a foreign employer working with a representative in the U.S., or a person who represents several employers. This last option lets someone who works on contract or commission work in the United States without being a traditional employee. In fact, a U.S. agent is the only way for multiple employers to petition together instead of separately.
How Long Does an O-1 Visa Last?
An O-1 visa can be very short, or it can keep going indefinitely. It all depends on what the job is that the applicant wants and how long that job will last.
What happens if an O-1 visa ends?
Also, if the O-1 visa ends because the job does, the employer has to pay for the visa holder to go back home unless the holder resigns. Another distinction is that O-1 visas apply to almost every profession.
How long does it take to get a visa for a spouse?
You should also expect the process to take six to seven months, so plan with that in mind.
How long does it take to get an O-1 visa?
The employer or U.S. agent is responsible for legal and filing fees for the petition, but the visa applicant is responsible for visa fees and dependent costs like moving the spouse and children. You should also expect the process to take six to seven months, so plan with that in mind.
What does it mean to get an O-1 visa?
Obtaining a visa for those with extraordinary achievements means that you need, well, extraordinary achievements. This may seem like a broad statement, but the USCIS has very specific things that can pass as evidence of extraordinary achievements.
Why is an O-1 visa advantageous?
So why have we added it to the list of O-1 visa benefits? This visa is advantageous because of the versatility of who your sponsor can be . Most visas that require a sponsor maintain that the sponsor should be an employer. However, because O-1 visa applicants are often contracted rather than hired at will, the sponsor can either be an employer or a U.S. agent.
How to get a green card if you have an O-1?
Once you determine which green card you would like to pursue, you will need to file an I-140 petition. Either you or your employer depending on your green card as your O-1 agent cannot petition for you. Once your petition is received by the USCIS, that date will become your priority date. It will be up to you to stay up-to-date with the latest final action dates on the monthly visa bulletin. Once you see that the final action date for your green card category and country has matched or passed your priority date, a visa number will be made available and you will be able to move onto the next step.
How long does it take to get a green card from O-1?
Depending on which green card you choose and the final action dates in the visa bulletin, this process can take several years or only a few months.
How long can you stay on an O-1 visa?
The H-1B allows you to stay for six years, the L-1 for five to seven, and the J-1 for an average of five. In contrast, the O-1 offers an initial period of stay of three years, but allows for unlimited extensions.
How much does an O-1 visa cost?
So, all in all, the O-1 visa cost is between $460 and $650 without premium processing.
How much does it cost to get an O-1?
and are going through consular processing). Additionally, you can opt to pay $1,225 for premium processing to have your I-129 processing time expedited from the usual six months to just 15 calendar days.
What does it mean to have an O1 visa?
The U.S institutions recognize that those who hold an O1 visa are exceptionally talented . Their talent requires them to hire additional people who are critical to their success. This means that their personnel and assistants are highly valuable and need to accompany them. So if a person who is getting either an O1A or O1B visa wants ...
What is the O2 Visa?
The O2 visa is a nonimmigrant visa for the assisting staff of the O1 visa holders. Only those who work in TV, film, and athletics are allowed to bring their personnel. Those who have O1 visas in education, business, or science are not entitled to bringing their staff with them.
What are the requirements for the O2 visa?
To qualify for the O2 visa, you as the assistant of the O1 visa holder in athletics , film, or television, must fulfill a few eligibility criteria:
How to apply for the O2 visa?
To apply for the O2 visa, there are several steps that both the U.S employer (not the O1 visa holder) and the applicant (assistant of O1 visa holder) must go through. The first part of the application process has to be completed by the U.S employer, and then the applicant can file their application at a U.S Embassy in their home country.
What is the O2 visa processing time?
The O2 visa processing time varies from country to country depending on the Embassy workloads. A standard time for the O group of visas is 2 to 3 months of processing time. If you want your visa processed faster, you can choose to pay for premium processing which costs $1,225. The premium processing means that you will get a response on whether you get the visa or not in 2 weeks.
How long is the O2 visa valid?
The O2 visa validity is directly tied to the O1 visa. This means that your initial approval will be for 3 years of work in the U.S. However, if the O1 visa holder has more work and needs you to stay, you can apply for an extension. USCIS offers unlimited extensions of 1 year increments for O2 visa holders.
What form do I need to file for an O2 visa?
For the O2 visa holder, the employer must send a completed Form I-129, Application for Nonimmigrant Worker to the U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This form will ensure that you as the O2 visa holder can work in the U.S and assist the O1 person with their work.
What is a U.S. Visa?
A citizen of a foreign country who seeks to enter the United States generally must first obtain a U.S. visa, which is placed in the traveler’s passport, a travel document issued by the traveler’s country of citizenship.
Find out what visa type is appropriate for you
The type of visa you must obtain is defined by U.S. immigration law, and relates to the purpose of your travel.
Visa Appointment Wait Time
A wait time listed as "999 calendar days" indicates that the Consular Section is only providing that service to emergency cases. Please check the Embassy or Consulate website for further information.
Who is the beneficiary of an O-1 visa?
b. (U) An O-1 or O-2 applicant must be the beneficiary of a petition approved by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) prior to visa issuance. USCIS regulations provide that the petitioner may be either an employer or agent. While O-1 beneficiaries may not self-petition, a separate legal entity owned by the O-1 beneficiary may be eligible to file a petition on behalf of the O-1 beneficiary.
How long can an O-1 stay in the US?
(U) An O-1 or O-2 nonimmigrant may be admitted to the United States for the validity period of the petition, plus a period of up to ten days before the validity period of the petition begins and ten days after it ends. The nonimmigrant may not work except during the validity period of the petition. There is not an overall time limit as to how long one may be present in the United States in total in an O-1 status, such as there is for the H - 1B and L - 1 visa classifications.
What is the purpose of the I-129?
The petition may not be filed more than one year before the actual need for the beneficiary's services. Form I-129 is also used to request extensions of petition validity and extensions of stay in O status. (See 9 FAM 402.13-8 below.)
What is the form for a nonimmigrant worker?
9 FAM 402.13-6 (A) (U) Using Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, to File Petition
How long is an O-1 petition valid?
(U) An approved petition for an beneficiary classified O-1 will be valid for a period determined by USCIS to be necessary to accomplish the event or activity, not to exceed three years.
How far in advance can I apply for a visa?
c. (U) You are authorized to accept and issue visas to qualified applicants up to 90 days in advance of applicants’ beginning of status as noted on the Form I-797. You must inform applicants orally and in writing that they can only use the visa to apply for admission to the United States starting ten days prior to the beginning of the approved status period noted on their Form I-797. (See 9 FAM 402.13-8 below.) In addition, such visas must be annotated:
What is an O-2?
(U) The O-2 category applies to noncitizen who is coming temporarily to the United States solely to assist in the artistic or athletic performance of an O-1 nonimmigrant. An O-2 must be petitioned for in conjunction with the services of the O-1 to whom he or she provides support and is not entitled to work separate and apart from the O-1. To qualify for status, O- 2s must: