You Don’t Need a Nobel Prize to Get an O-1A Visa
No cap. No lottery. The evidence for an O-1A is often already in your career: press, funding, awards, publications or a high salary. Find out in 30 minutes.
Book my 30-min O-1A consultation · $50 →- 10+ years in immigration law
- Offices in Santa Ana, CA & Paris
- U.S. & French immigration
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Extraordinary ability is more achievable than it sounds
Many founders, engineers, researchers and executives assume the O-1A is only for famous people. It isn’t. USCIS looks for evidence that you’re among the small percentage at the top of your field, and the O-1A has no annual cap and no lottery, which makes it a strong alternative to the H-1B.
The 8 criteria: you need at least 3
Unless you have a major internationally recognized award:
- National or international prizes or awards.
- Membership in associations requiring outstanding achievement.
- Media coverage about you and your work.
- Serving as a judge of others’ work, such as peer review, juries or accelerator selection.
- Original contributions of major significance, such as patents, products or widely used research.
- Authorship of scholarly articles.
- A critical role at a distinguished organization.
- A high salary compared with others in your field.
Meet 3 of these 8 criteria?
30 minutes with an attorney for $50, credited toward your fees.
O-1A for startup founders
Yes, you can sponsor yourself through your own company. Your U.S. company can be the petitioner, or a U.S. agent can file for you. Venture funding, accelerator acceptance, press coverage and a critical role in your startup are often key evidence.
Key facts
- Initial stay of up to 3 years, with extensions in 1-year increments.
- No cap, no lottery.
- Premium processing is available.
- Your family can join you on O-3 visas.
- A common stepping stone to the EB-1A green card.
Why work with us
We build O-1A cases around your strongest evidence and turn a CV into a persuasive petition, for founders, researchers and executives from France and around the world, in English and French.
Find out which O-1A criteria you meet
Bring your CV. In 30 minutes we’ll walk through the eight criteria with you, so you know what you meet today and what to strengthen.
The $50 fee is non-refundable and is deducted from your final legal fees if you retain our firm. Appointments can be rescheduled. Missed your appointment? Contact assistant@ariflawofficespc.com to reschedule.
This article is general information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney–client relationship. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Arif Law Offices, P.C.