The O‑1A visa is designed for international professionals who demonstrate extraordinary talent in areas such as business, education, science, and athletics, and who wish to work temporarily in the United States. To apply, you must have a petitioner file the petition on your behalf, as self-petitioning is not allowed. In addition, your petitioner must submit documented proof of your exceptional achievements—typically with the help of an attorney—to show that you meet the rigorous standards required for this visa.
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O1A VISA
EXTRAORDINARY ABILITIES IN FIELDS SUCH AS BUSINESS, ATHLETICS, EDUCATION, AND SCIENCE
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS?
The O‑1A visa is governed by very strict eligibility standards. To begin with, you must have a current job or a valid job offer associated with your application. Additionally, you need to demonstrate that you possess extraordinary ability in fields such as science, business, education, or athletics, and you must clearly satisfy all the O‑1A requirements.
If you have earned an award comparable to a Nobel Prize or an Olympic medal, you automatically qualify for the O‑1A visa category.
However, if you have not received such a major award, you must satisfy at least three of the eight USCIS criteria. These include:
2. Associations – Official Statute: “Documentation of the alien’s membership in associations in the field for which classification is sought, which require outstanding achievements of their members, as judged by recognized national or international experts in their disciplines or fields.” (8 CFR 214.2(O)(3)(iii)(B)(2))
4. Judge – Official Statute: “Evidence of the alien’s participation on a panel, or individually, as a judge of the work of others in the same or an allied field of specialization to that for which classification is sought.” (8 CFR 214.2(O)(3)(iii)(B)(4))
5. Contributions – Official Statute: “Evidence of the alien’s original scientific, scholarly, or business-related contributions of major significance in the field.” (8 CFR 214.2(O)(3)(iii)(B)(5))
6. Authorship – Official Statute: “Evidence of the alien’s authorship of scholarly articles in the field, in professional journals, or other major media.” (8 CFR 214.2(O)(3)(iii)(B)(6))
7. Organizations – Official Statute: “Evidence that the alien has been employed in a critical or essential capacity for organizations and establishments that have a distinguished reputation.” (8 CFR 214.2(O)(3)(iii)(B)(7))
Salary – Official Statute: “Evidence that the alien has either commanded a high salary or will command a high salary or other remuneration for services, evidenced by contracts or other reliable evidence.” (8 CFR 214.2(O)(3)(iii)(B)(8))
Each of these criteria is distinct; we recommend clicking on the links to review each one in detail. Although some criteria may overlap slightly in content, each serves its own unique purpose.
The following is a sample list of documents you might include with your O‑1A petition. This list is not exhaustive—consult with an attorney to determine the precise documentation required for your case. Additional evidence may be necessary based on your individual circumstances:
1. Copy of the Passport Identification Page;
2. Copy of the U.S. Visa Identification Page (if applicable);
3. Copy of the I‑94 Arrival/Departure Record (if applicable);
4. Originals of I‑20’s or DS‑2019’s for F‑1, M‑1, and J‑1 visa holders (if applicable);
5. A detailed Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV);