What You Should Know About the O-1 Extraordinary Performer's Visa

What You Should Know About the O-1 Extraordinary Performer's Visa

Immigration to the United States is no easy feat. It requires many different steps, fees, and unique qualifications in order to secure a work visa. The O-1 Extraordinary Performer’s Visa offers immigrants of significant skills and contributions to their area of work or study an opportunity to work and live in the United States. Learn more about what it is and what it takes to qualify below and contact the immigration services team at Zohar Law today for more information.

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What Is It?

The O-1 Extraordinary Performer’s Visa is a nonimmigrant visa that is offered to those with unique and significant abilities in their area of focus. Whether you are in the arts, science, business world, and beyond, you have the opportunity for an Extraordinary Performer’s Visa if you can show that you have unique abilities or have greatly affected your field in a positive way.

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How Do You Qualify?

It takes a great deal of effort and achievement to qualify for an O-1 Extraordinary Performer’s Visa. Though it varies depending on your area of work, you need to have gathered extensive national or international recognition or awards in your field. You will also need to have demonstrated a record of having made large contributions to your area of expertise.

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Sponsorship

Though applicants for this nonimmigrant visa can petition for themselves, it is much more likely that you will be able to attain one if you have a sponsor. This sponsor is generally an employer that will petition for you in order to validate your abilities and contributions to any given field of work or study. The sponsor then petitions the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

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Length of Stay

Generally speaking, the O-1 Extraordinary Performer’s Visa is valid for an initial period of three years from the date of application approval. With that said, depending on the situation and the applicant’s continuing contributions to their field of work, the length of the visa’s validity can be extended. This process happens in one year increments and can be awarded indefinitely.

It can be difficult to acquire and maintain a green card, so it is important that you start the process with as much knowledge on the subject as possible. If you are looking to see if you qualify for an O-1 Extraordinary Performer’s Visa, don’t hesitate. Contact Zohar Law PLLC in New York for more information and find out what you need in order to get the petition process started today.