O-1 Visa
O-1 Visa: Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement
"The O-1 nonimmigrant visa is for the 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."--(from USCIS O-1 Visa)
Pursuing an O-1 visa status is only recommended when J-1 or H-1B visas are not feasible. A sponsoring department must initiate the O-1 process and request the CISP office to review and determine eligibility. Pursuing the O-1 visa depends on the individual’s achievement and whether they meet the USCIS criteria. The University of Toledo sponsors O-1A petitions only.
For general Eligibility Requirements, Application Process, Period of Stay/Extension of Stay and dependents of O-1, visit USCIS's O-1 Visa website.
For USCIS Policy Manual go to USCIS's O-1 Beneficiaries page.
O-1A Beneficiaries in Sciences, Education, Business, or Athletics
Support of O-1A Petition
In support of an O-1A Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker (Form I-129), the petitioner must establish the following:
- "The person has extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics, which has been demonstrated by sustained national or international acclaim, and whose achievements have been recognized in the field through extensive documentation."
- "The person seeks to enter the United States to continue work in the area of extraordinary ability."
- "The person's entry into the United States will substantially benefit the United States in the future."--(from USCIS Chapter 2)
Supporting Documentation for O-1A Petition
"The supporting documentation for an O-1A petition must include evidence that the beneficiary has received a major internationally recognized award (such as the Nobel Prize) or at least three of the following forms of evidence:"
- Recipient of Prizes: "Documentation of the beneficiary's receipt of nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence in the field of endeavor;"
- Outstanding Memberships: "Documentation of the beneficiary's membership in associations in the field for which classification is sought, which require outstanding achievements of their members, as judged by recognized national or international experts in their disciplines or fields;"
- Published Material Written by Others: "Published material in professional or major trade publications or major media about the beneficiary, relating to the beneficiary's work in the field for which classification is sought, which must include the title, date, and author of such published material, and any necessary translation;"
- Judge of Others: " Evidence of the beneficiary's participation on a panel, or individually, as a judge of the work of others in the same or in an allied field of specialization for which classification is sought;"
- Original Scholarly Research Contribution: "Evidence of the beneficiary's original scientific, scholarly, or business-related contributions of major significance in the field;"
- Authorship: "Evidence of the beneficiary's authorship of scholarly articles in the field, in professional journals, or other major media;
- Essential/Critical Employment Status: Evidence that the beneficiary has been employed in a critical or essential capacity for organizations and establishments that have a distinguished reputation; or"
- High Salary: "Evidence that the beneficiary has either commanded a high salary or will command a high salary or other remuneration for services, as evidenced by contracts or other reliable evidence. "--(from USCIS Chapter 4)