O-1A Visa Associations: Are you a member of any professional organization that requires exceptional achievement? Officially, this criterion is stated as: “Membership in an association in the field for which classification is sought that requires outstanding achievements, as evaluated by recognized national or international experts.”
In many fields, there are numerous organizations where membership can be obtained simply by passing an exam or demonstrating a basic level of expertise—in many cases, all it takes is paying the annual dues to secure lifelong membership. For instance, doctors, accountants, engineers, and IT professionals often join various well-known associations through such straightforward processes.
However, these standard memberships typically do not satisfy U.S. Immigration’s criteria. Instead, immigration authorities are looking for memberships that are truly distinguished—exclusive and highly prestigious organizations that require a formal invitation, rigorous recommendations, or direct recognition of your exceptional achievements. These are memberships that go far beyond merely passing an exam or logging minimal service hours.
Many associations offer multiple tiers of membership. While the entry-level status might be based on simple qualification criteria and dues payment, the higher tiers are awarded based primarily on significant contributions to the field. U.S. Immigration wants evidence that your membership level is determined by your outstanding accomplishments, and they will review how the association differentiates between its various levels.
Surprisingly, some highly qualified professionals have never considered joining organizations that offer such elite recognition. Although these prestigious memberships are often by invitation only, some associations allow you to apply by submitting your body of work along with letters of support from respected, established industry figures—possibly current elite members of the organization.
On the next page, we will discuss the ‘Published Material’ criteria. We’re delighted that you’ve found our website and hope the information on the O-1A visa proves useful. When you’re ready to proceed, please email or call us for a free consultation so we can discuss your case at info@ealglobalservices.com.