O-Visas

An O Visa may be sought for an immigrant, by a qualifying employer, agents, managers, concert venues, etc., when the work-related event or group of activities requires a foreign national to travel to the U.S. on a temporary basis. In order to obtain this visa, a recipient should be involved in ‘an activity such as, but not limited to, a scientific project, conference, convention, lecture, series, tour, exhibit, business project, academic year, or engagement’. Moreover, if the job/activity does not have a specific engagement or project, that exactly fits the above definition it may also be considered if the ‘activity’ is within the foreign national’s area of extraordinary ability. Activities such as these may include short holidays, promotional appearances, and stop-overs which are incidental and, or related to the event.

Visas for persons with extraordinary athletic, science, arts, business, or educational abilities.

1. Receipt of lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence
2. Membership in associations in the field which demand outstanding achievement of their members.
3. Published material about the candidate in professional or major trade publications or other major media.
4. Evidence that the candidate has judged the work of others, either individually or on a panel.
5. Evidence of the candidate’s original scientific, scholarly, artistic, athletic, or business-related contributions of major significance to the field.
6. Evidence of the candidate’s authorship of scholarly articles in professional or major trade publications or other major media.
7. Evidence that the candidate’s work has been displayed at artistic exhibitions or showcases.
8. Performance of a leading or critical role in distinguished organizations.
9. Evidence that the candidate commands a high salary or other significantly high remuneration in relation to others in the field.
10. Evidence of commercial successes in the performing arts.