O-1 Visas

Individuals of Extraordinary Ability or Achievement

The O-1 nonimmigrant visa category is for those who have risen to the top of their field in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics, or those who have a demonstrated record of extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry and who have been recognized for those achievements either nationally or internationally.

To qualify for an O-1 nonimmigrant visa, foreign nationals must show that they have risen to the top of their field of endeavor, and that they have received sustained acclaim either nationally or internationally for their abilities. O-1 visas are for those foreign nationals who can demonstrate through certain criteria provided by the regulations, that they have extraordinary ability and that they are among the very few nationally or internationally, who are recognized to be the best in their fields of endeavor.