Chicago O Visa Attorney

Illinois Immigration Lawyer for Aliens with Extraordinary Ability in Sciences, Business or the Arts

Foreign nationals with extraordinary ability in the sciences, business, education, film or television industry, the arts or athletics may be eligible for an O visa – a nonimmigrant temporary work visa.  An O visa allows the foreign national to remain in the United States for three years, and it may be renewed in one year increments or until the project is complete.

Types of O Visas

There are different types of O visas, including the following:

•    O-1A visa – available for individuals with extraordinary ability in the sciences, education, business or athletics.
•    O-1B visa – available for individuals with extraordinary ability in the arts or extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry.
•    O-2 visa – available for assistants of O-1 visa holders who have critical skills that cannot be performed by another person, and are either an “integral part” of the O-1A visa holder’s activity or are “essential” to the completion of the O-1B visa holder’s production.  
•    O-3 visa – available for the spouse and children of O-1 and O-2 visa holders.

Qualification and Evidence Requirements

In order to qualify for an O-1 visa, the applicant must show that he or she possesses extraordinary ability in the arts, sciences, business, education, athletics, or the motion picture or television industry, and has achieved sustained or international acclaim.  The applicant must be entering the United States to perform temporary services for a U.S. employer relating to a specific project or event.  An application for an O visa may be submitted up to 6 months prior to the date the project or services are to begin.  

In order to obtain an O visa, the applicant must provide specific evidence of his or her qualifications and recognition of extraordinary ability.  Specifically, the United States Customs and Immigration Services requires that O visa applicants prove their extraordinary ability in a particular field by demonstrating that he or she has received an internationally-recognized award, such as a Nobel Prize or at least three of the following:

•    Internationally or nationally recognized prizes or awards
•    Published material regarding his or her work in a particular field
•    Membership in an association that requires members to have outstanding achievement
•    Original scientific, scholarly, or business-related contributions of major significance in a particular field
•    Authorship of scholarly articles published in any type of major media or professional journals
•    High salary or any other type of compensation
•    Participation on a panel, or as a judge for other people’s works
•    Evidence of past employment for organizations or establishments that have a high reputation

Applicants must also provide a contract describing the terms and conditions of the services to be provided, or a summary of the terms of any oral agreement regarding the services to be provided.   

We Understand Your Immigration Needs

Because the requirements of an O visa are specific and detailed, applicants may wish to seek the assistance of an experienced immigration attorney.  The Chicago O visa attorney at Badia-Tavas Law Group is well-versed in all types of work visas, including the O visa, EB 1-2 visa for outstanding professors and researchers, J-1 exchange visitor visa, H-1 work visa and H-2 temporary work visa.  Contact our knowledgeable Chicago immigration attorney at (312) 442-0830 for information on the visa options available to you given your specific situation and for assistance with the application process.