
What is the difference between O1b and O2 visa?
O-1B: Individuals with an extraordinary ability in the arts or extraordinary achievement in 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 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-1B visa for art?
The O-1B visa covers the arts, and U.S. Immigration has a very broad definition of art that includes writing, fine arts, performing arts, visual arts, culinary arts, music, motion pictures, television, and all the jobs connected to these professions.
What is an O-1 visa and how do you apply?
Another distinction is that O-1 visas apply to almost every profession. As long as your peers recognize you as someone with extraordinary abilities or accomplishments, and as long as you get six to eight documents proving that fact, you can get an O-1 visa. Unfortunately, not everyone is fond of O-1 visas.

How long is O1B visa valid?
The O-1 is valid for up to three years. In some cases, the visa is granted to cover only a specific event, production, or activity and may be valid for a shorter time. O-1 visa extensions are available in 1-year increments, and there is no limit to the number of extensions.
How long does it take to get O1B visa?
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 hard is it to get a O1B visa?
To qualify for an O1B artist visa, you need to have either won a highly acclaimed award such as a Grammy, Oscar, Emmy, etc., or have at least three of these other achievements: You have held a leading role in an art, film, or TV production.
What is O1B?
The O1B category is for aliens with extraordinary ability in the arts or extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry. The related O2 visa category exists for certain aliens who are coming to accompany and assist an O1 artist or athlete for a specific event or for specific events.
Who qualifies for O-1 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.
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.
Is O-1 visa better than h1b?
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.
How much does O-1 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).
What happens after O-1 visa approval?
If your O-1 petition has been approved for consular notification, then you will not receive an I-94 card at the bottom of your O-1 I-797 approval notice. You will need to apply for a visa stamp at a U.S. Consulate or Embassy abroad before your O-1 status can be “activated.”
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.
Is PhD enough for O-1 visa?
Is there a category like O1 visa PhD status? In short, the answer is no. A PhD in itself does not grant you eligibility for an O1 visa.
How fast can I get an O-1 visa?
between 2-3 monthsIn general, the processing time for an O-1 visa is relatively short. Form I-129 can take between 2-3 months to process, depending on which service center processes your petition. The USCIS has an optional premium processing service where you pay an additional fee for your petition to be expedited.
How much does an O-1 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).
What happens after O-1 visa approval?
If your O-1 petition has been approved for consular notification, then you will not receive an I-94 card at the bottom of your O-1 I-797 approval notice. You will need to apply for a visa stamp at a U.S. Consulate or Embassy abroad before your O-1 status can be “activated.”
How long does it take to get j1 visa after interview?
Please see “Administrative Processing” for further information. If you were advised at the interview that a waiver of ineligibility is required before the visa can be issued, you can expect your application to take up to 8 months to process from the date of the interview.
How to apply for the O-1B visa?
To apply for the O-1B visa, you need to first find a job in the U.S within the industries of art, film, or TV. Your visa application is then initiated by your employer. Your employer and you must follow these steps.
What are the requirements of the O-1B visa?
To get the O-1B visa, you first have to be eligible for it. This visa has stringent requirements, so it is quite difficult to get. However, the first step is to find a job within the industries of art, TV, or film. Your employer must be willing to sponsor your visa so that you can use your extraordinary abilities. To qualify as someone with such abilities, you need to have either won a highly acclaimed award such as a Grammy, Oscar, Emmy, etc., or have at least three of these other achievements:
How long is the O-1B visa processing time?
After you have completed your visa interview, you must wait until the Embassy reviews your case. For the O-1B visa this can be from two to three months. After the wait time is over, the Embassy will let you know whether you got the visa or not. If you get the visa, then you can begin making travel arrangements.
How long is the O-1B visa valid?
The O-1B visa is initially approved for a period of 3 years. During these 3 years you can work for your employer, but also travel in and out of the country as many times as you need. As the 3-year threshold gets closer, if you want to stay in the U.S, you have to arrange with your employer to extend your time of work.
Can I bring my dependents with an O-1B visa?
Anyone who has an O-1B visa is qualified to bring their dependents with them in the U.S. The definition of dependents in the U.S means that only your spouse and your unmarried children under 21 years old are allowed to accompany you. They can do so by applying for an O-3 visa. The application for the O-3 visa can be done at the same time as your application for the O-1B visa, or after your visa has been approved.
What is the difference between an O-1B and an H-1B visa?
A key difference between the O-1B visa and other work visas such as the H-1B visa is that the O-1B visa applicants must prove their extraordinary abilities. Those who want to get the H-1B visa only need to find a job in the U.S and an employer willing to sponsor them. The O-1B visa applicants need to compile documents and proof that show the U.S authorities that they possess high skills and have gained high achievements.
What is an O visa?
The O visas are a group of U.S non-immigrant visas designed to assist citizens of other countries who have extraordinary abilities, their assistants, and dependents come to the U.S to work. These U.S work visas allow people who have high achievements and education find a job in the U.S and then come to work here for a period of time.
What is an O-1B visa?
If you have extraordinary, internationally-recognized ability in film, television, or the arts, then you may qualify for an O-1B visa. The O-1B visa is designed to bring persons with exceptional talent to the United States. It’s an exclusive type of visa for an exclusive class of individuals.
How to apply for an O-1B visa?
The O-1B visa application process is straightforward. The first step is to wait for your employer to file a petition. Then, you can proceed with the rest of your application – similar to how any non-immigrant work visa works.
How Long Does It Take to Process My O-1B Visa?
The O-1B visa is unique and processing times vary widely. Generally, O-1B visa processing times can last anywhere from 4 to 12 weeks, although it depends largely on the workload of your local U.S. embassy.
How Long Does My O-1B Visa Last?
The O-1B visa is typically granted for a three year period. Once your visa is nearing its expiry date, you can apply for a visa extension. If approved, your visa will be extended for a one year period. You can extend your visa multiple times. To qualify for an extension, your employer must file form I-129 to USCIS.
Can I extend my visa multiple times?
You can extend your visa multiple times. To qualify for an extension, your employer must file form I-129 to USCIS. You can also switch to a new employer while in the United States. If you get a new job, then your new employer can file form I-129 to permit you to remain in the United States.
Can an O-1B visa be extended?
However, the visa can be extended for a one-year period an indefinite number of times.
Can My Dependents Join Me in the United States Under the O-1B Visa?
The O-1B visa comes with a dependency visa for two groups of family members:
How many pages are needed for a visa?
Building a file (generally 200-300 pages) to help you prove you meet the criteria for the visa.
Why is it called an artist visa?
It is known as the Artist visa, because of most the people applying are Artists, designers, film and music industry professionals. Below is a guide to the requirements and services we offer in getting you the Artist Visa.
What is an artist visa lawyer?
Our Artist Visa Lawyer works with International professionals in several different creative fields across the arts and entertainment, to help them meet the requirements.
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-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 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.
How to file for a petition with multiple employers?
How to File. To begin the petition process, your employer or agent must: Provide all required evidence and supporting documentation. If your employer is filing as an agent for multiple employers, they should read the USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 2, Part M , Chapter 3, about required conditions.
What is an O-1B visa?
The O-1B visa is for foreign nationals (aliens) who have demonstrated extraordinary ability in the arts or extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry. At the outset it is important to note the distinction in the language between the two standards: extraordinary ability for the arts and extraordinary achievement for motion picture/TV.
Who is the beneficiary of the O-1 visa?
The Beneficiary of the O-1 Visa is the person who will be entering the United States and benefiting from the O-1 Visa status by being able to work whether as an employee or independent contractor completing their itinerary of events.
How long does it take to get an O-1 visa?
In order to ensure that the visa is approved in the appropriate time period, one should file Form I-129 at least 45 days before the alien is to continue their work in the United States.
What are the requirements for an O1 visa?
That individual must have extraordinary ability in certain fields, including art, education, science, business, or athletics, and have those abilities proved by either a nationally or internationally recognized award or a record of achievement as described in Basis B above.
Where does an advisory opinion come from?
The applicant must provide a written advisory opinion from a peer group related to their field of expertise, or from an individual selected by the peer group that also has expertise in the field. The advisory opinion may also come from labor organizations.
Who can be an agent for an O-1 visa?
An agent may be used in the O-1 visa process. The agent can be the employer, represent the petitioner/employer, represent the beneficiary (person of extraordinary ability) or both.
How to establish qualification for an alien?
The alien may establish qualification through evidence of nomination or receipt of a major, national or international recognized award such as an Academy Award, an Emmy, a Grammy, or a Director’s Guild Award. In an absence of an award, the individual can provide documents needed in Basis B.
What is an O1B visa?
The O1B visa is one of the most prestigious visa options and also one of the most difficult to qualify for. To meet the O1B visa requirements, candidates must be able to prove that they have risen to the very top of their creative industry. Having achieved substantial success as a fashion designer, actor, director, musician, painter, choreographer, model, animator, set designer, makeup artist, camera operator, or screenwriter are just a few of the ways a talented individual may be able to qualify for an O1B visa.
What are the requirements for an O1B visa?
To apply for this nonimmigrant visa, you must demonstrate extraordinary ability in the arts or extraordinary achievement in the motion picture/television industry.
What form do I need to apply for an O1B visa?
After that, you can officially begin your application for the O1B visa by submitting Form DS-160 or Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application.
How much does an O1B visa cost?
There are a number of mandatory fees when applying for the O1B visa. All O1 visa applicants are required to pay an I-129 basic filing fee of $460. You will also need to pay a fee of $190 for your visa when submitting Form DS-160. An additional $85 biometrics fee may apply for candidates between the ages of 14 and 79.
How long does it take to get an O1B visa?
This must be done a minimum of 45 days before you intend to begin working in the U.S.
How much does it cost to expedite a visa?
If you’d like to expedite your petition, you can pay a fee of $1,440 to shorten your processing time to 15 calendar days. Additionally, if you choose to work with an attorney, you should expect the cost of obtaining your visa to increase, but many applicants find this added cost to be more than worth it.
What is an O-1 visa?
The O-1 visa is for individual who possesses 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. The main O-1 categories are: 1 O-1A: individuals with an extraordinary ability in the sciences, education, business, or athletics (excluding the arts, motion pictures or television industry) 2 O-1B: individuals with an extraordinary ability in the arts or extraordinary achievement in motion picture or television industry
What is an O-1B?
O-1A: individuals with an extraordinary ability in the sciences, education, business, or athletics (excluding the arts, motion pictures or television industry) O-1B: individuals with an extraordinary ability in the arts or extraordinary achievement in motion picture or television industry. For each of these two main categories immigration officials ...
How to establish alien status?
The alien may establish qualification through evidence of nomination or receipt of a major, national or international recognized award such as an Academy Award, an Emmy, a Grammy, or a Director’s Guild Award. In absence of such an award one can establish himself as a qualifying alien through at least three of the following types of evidence:
Is an EB-1 petition the same as an O-1?
The requirements for an O-1 and EB-1 petition are different and an EB-1 petition has a much higher legal standard. This is particularly the case if you are in the O-1 (B) category.
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.
