Fast-track work authorization for extraordinary individuals - Meet 3 of 8 criteria
Disclaimer: We provide profile building and application preparation services. We are not attorneys and do not provide legal advice. Please consult an immigration attorney for legal guidance.
The O-1 visa is a non-immigrant work visa for individuals with extraordinary ability or achievement in their field. Unlike EB-1A (green card), O-1 provides temporary work authorization, making it an excellent option for:
Premium processing: 15 days
Extend indefinitely in 1-3 year increments
Spouse & children on O-3 visa
Many professionals use O-1 visa as a bridge to EB-1A permanent residency. The criteria are similar (O-1 requires 3 of 8 criteria; EB-1A requires 3 of 10), making it easier to:
Choose the category that matches your field of expertise
For extraordinary ability in sciences, education, business, or athletics
Examples:
Meet 3 of 8 criteria (similar to EB-1A)
For extraordinary achievement in arts, motion pictures, or television
Examples:
Different criteria for arts vs. motion pictures/TV
This page focuses on O-1A (sciences, business, education, athletics). O-1B criteria are different and evaluated based on prominence in the arts field.
You need to meet at least 3 of these 8 criteria. We help you identify your qualifications and build strong evidence.
Note: These criteria are similar but not identical to EB-1A. O-1 requires 3 of 8 criteria; EB-1A requires 3 of 10.
Receipt of nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence in your field
We identify all qualifying awards in your background, research their recognition level and selection criteria, document their significance with evidence, and guide you toward new award opportunities to strengthen your profile.
Membership in associations that require outstanding achievements as judged by recognized experts
Not Qualifying: Memberships requiring only payment of fees (e.g., standard IEEE membership)
We identify prestigious associations in your field, verify their membership requirements, help you apply for Fellow status or selective memberships, and document the selectivity with membership criteria and acceptance rates.
Published material in professional or major trade publications or major media about you and your work
We develop PR strategies to secure media coverage, connect you with journalists and publications, craft compelling pitches about your work, coordinate interviews and features, and document all media mentions with circulation/reach evidence.
Participation as a judge of the work of others in your field, either individually or on a panel
We identify peer review opportunities, connect you with journal editors and conference organizers, guide you to join editorial boards and program committees, help you document all reviewing activities with evidence letters, and track your review contributions.
Evidence of original contributions of major significance in your field
We identify your most impactful contributions, quantify their significance with metrics and data, gather evidence of adoption and impact, obtain expert letters validating importance, and craft compelling narratives explaining how your work advanced the field.
Authorship of scholarly articles in professional journals or other major media in your field
10+
Strong publication count
100+
Strong citation count
H-index
Impact measurement
We guide publication strategy for high-impact journals, help identify collaboration opportunities, provide writing and submission guidance, track citations using Google Scholar and Web of Science, and create citation reports highlighting your research impact.
Employment in a leading or critical role for organizations with a distinguished reputation
We document your role's importance with organizational charts and job descriptions, gather evidence of the organization's distinguished reputation, obtain letters from supervisors/colleagues describing your critical contributions, and quantify your impact with metrics and achievements.
Command of high salary or other remuneration for services compared to others in the field
Example: Software engineer earning $250K+ (base + equity) when field average is $120K
We research industry salary benchmarks and averages, create comparative salary analysis showing you're in top percentile, document all forms of compensation (salary, bonuses, equity, benefits), and gather offer letters or contracts as evidence of high remuneration.
Comprehensive support to meet O-1 criteria and prepare a winning petition
Comprehensive evaluation of your qualifications against all 8 O-1A criteria. We identify which criteria you meet and which need strengthening.
Personalized action plan to meet at least 3 criteria. We prioritize quick wins and high-impact activities to accelerate your timeline.
Help identifying potential U.S. employers or agents to sponsor your O-1 petition, including guidance on petitioner requirements and relationships.
Organize awards, publications, media coverage, judging experience, and other evidence. We ensure all documents meet USCIS standards.
Strategy for obtaining 5-8 strong letters from recognized experts in your field. We provide templates and guidance on ideal recommenders.
Guidance on obtaining peer group advisory opinions when required, including identifying appropriate professional organizations.
Help securing press coverage, interviews, and media features that strengthen your "published material about you" criterion.
Assistance with Form I-129 completion, supporting documentation organization, and ensuring your petition package is comprehensive and compelling.
Assistance with premium processing applications for urgent cases, ensuring your petition is ready for the 15-day expedited review timeline.
Dual-track planning to leverage O-1 as a bridge to green card. We help you build achievements in the U.S. to strengthen future EB-1A petition.
Assistance with O-1 renewals and extensions, including updating your evidence portfolio with new achievements and ongoing impact documentation.
Guidance on O-3 dependent visa applications for your spouse and children under 21, including documentation requirements and filing procedures.
Understanding the differences helps you plan your immigration strategy
| Factor | O-1 Visa | EB-1A Green Card |
|---|---|---|
| Status Type | Non-immigrant (temporary) | Immigrant (permanent residency) |
| Sponsor Required | Yes - U.S. employer or agent | No - self-petition |
| Criteria | 3 of 8 criteria | 3 of 10 criteria |
| Standard | Extraordinary ability | Extraordinary ability (higher bar) |
| Duration | Initial: 3 years, renewable indefinitely | Permanent (conditional on renewal) |
| Processing Time | ~3-4 months (15 days with premium) | ~12-16 months (45 days with premium) |
| Work Flexibility | Limited to sponsoring employer/field | Complete flexibility |
| Family Status | O-3 dependents (no work authorization) | Permanent residents (can work) |
| Best For | Professionals wanting fast U.S. work authorization | Those seeking permanent residency and full mobility |
Based on our experience with successful O-1 cases
Define specific work you'll do in the U.S., with timeline and locations
U.S. employer or agent with clear business need for your services
Strong evidence for at least 3 criteria (aim for 4-5 for safety)
Detailed letters from recognized authorities attesting to your extraordinary ability
Organized documentation with cover letters explaining significance of each piece
Demonstrate ongoing achievements, not just past accomplishments
Peer group consultation letter from relevant professional association
Complete, well-organized petition enabling quick USCIS review if expedited
Get fast-track work authorization in the U.S. with premium processing in just 15 days
Important Reminder: We provide profile building and application preparation services. We are NOT attorneys. For legal representation, please consult a licensed immigration attorney.