O-1A
Extraordinary ability
The O-1A is a temporary work visa for people at the top of science, technology, business, education, or athletics. There is no lottery and no annual cap, so a petition can be filed at any time of year. The case rests on evidence of sustained national or international acclaim in your field.
Request a consultIs the O-1A for you?
- Founders with press coverage, awards, or a key role in a company with a strong reputation
- Engineers and researchers with publications, patents, or work that others build on
- Professionals who have judged competitions, reviewed papers, or sat on grant panels
- Anyone who wants to start work without waiting for the H-1B lottery
- Who sponsors
- Employer or agent
- Typical stay
- Up to 3 years, renewable
The evidence criteria
Meet at least 3 of the 8 criteria below, or show a major, internationally recognized award (a Nobel Prize, for example).
- 01Nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence in your field.
- 02Membership in associations that require outstanding achievement of their members, as judged by recognized experts.
- 03Published material about you and your work in professional or major trade publications or major media.
- 04Judging the work of others in your field, on a panel or on your own.
- 05Original scientific, scholarly, or business contributions of major significance to the field.
- 06Authorship of scholarly articles in professional journals or major media.
- 07Employment in a critical or essential role for organizations with a distinguished reputation.
- 08A high salary or other high pay compared with others in the field.
Your case, start to finish.
An attorney maps your record against the eight criteria on the first call. You learn which are strong, which need more proof, and which to leave out.
We gather the proof behind each claim: citations, press, judging invitations, offer letters, and pay data. Our tools sort it into an exhibit list tied to each criterion.
We draft recommendation letters with the people who know your work, so each letter names specific contributions, dates, and results.
We obtain the advisory opinion the rules require from a peer group, union, or management organization, and check every citation in the petition against its exhibit before filing.
Before you ask.
Can I get an O-1A to work for my own startup?
Yes. Your U.S. company can file as the employer, or a U.S. agent can file on your behalf. The rules require a petitioner separate from you, so we choose the structure that fits how the company is owned and how you will be paid.
How long can I stay?
The first approval can run up to 3 years, tied to the work described in the petition. Extensions are granted in increments of up to 1 year to continue that work. There is no overall cap on extensions.
Can my family come with me?
Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 can join you in O-3 status. They can live and study in the U.S. O-3 status does not allow them to work.
Can I pursue a green card while on an O-1A?
Yes. The O-1A does not require you to keep a home abroad, so you can file for a green card, such as the EB-1A or EB-2 NIW, while you hold it. Much of the O-1A evidence can carry over into those cases.
Worth comparing.
EB-1A
Extraordinary ability with sustained acclaim. You petition for yourself; no job offer needed.
Self-petition · Permanent
O-1B
Extraordinary achievement in the arts, film, and television.
Employer or agent · Up to 3 years, renewable
EB-2 NIW
Advanced degree or exceptional ability, in work that serves the national interest.
Self-petition · Permanent
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