An O visa is a non-immigrant temporary worker visa granted by the US to an alien with exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics, or who has a demonstrated record of extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry and has been recognized for those achievements.
Individuals with extraordinary ability in the sciences, education, business, or athletics (excluding the arts, motion pictures, or television industry) are eligible for an O-1A Visa, whereas those with extraordinary ability in the arts or extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry are eligible for an O-1B Visa.
Who is eligible for the O-1 Visa?
O-1 visas are offered to people who have demonstrated outstanding talent in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics, as well as a job offer in the United States.
In general, the person must have earned national or worldwide recognition in a specific field, or have a documented record of remarkable accomplishment if working in motion pictures or television shows.
O-1 visas can only be granted based on a person’s unique qualifications. Being a part of a group or team does not automatically qualify you for an O-1 visa.
How long does it take to get an O-1 visa?
In most circumstances, processing takes two to three months assuming your application is free of errors or omissions.
By filing Form I-907, you can also use the USCIS Premium Processing Service.
This will cut your processing time in half to just 15 days, but it will set you back $1,410 in processing fees.
What to bring to the O-2 Visa Interview?
To the visa interview, the applicant must provide all relevant original or certified copy civil documents.
Failure to present all needed documents to the interview may result in the visa being delayed or denied.
The following documents must be brought to the interview:
Letter of Appointment – The letter of appointment you received from NVC for your interview;
Photographs – two similar color photographs for each applicant,
which must fulfill the standard Photograph Requirements;
Passport – each applicant must have an unexpired passport valid for six months beyond the expected date of entrance into the United States;
Confirmation Page DS-260 and Original or certified copies of any civil documents you uploaded to CEAC as supporting documents.
How to apply for the O-3 visa?
You must complete numerous stages in order to apply for an O-3 visa.
You can apply with the principal visa holder (O-1 or O-2) or after they have received their visa.
If you don’t apply jointly, you’ll have to wait until your spouse or parent receives their O-1 or O-2 visa from the US Embassy before you can start the application process.
You must also apply at a U.S. Embassy in your home country. After this you will have to attend the visa interview after scheduling it.
For the visa interview, you must bring your documents file and you will be interviewed by an official at the U.S Embassy where you have applied.
You will be asked questions regarding your background, education, and purpose of visit to the U.S.
You must emphasize your relationship with the primary O-1 or O-2 visa holder.
If your spouse or parent has an O-2 visa, you must also establish ties to your home country to prove that after your visa expires, you will return.
What documents are needed for a O-3 Visa?
The documents needed for a O-3 Visa are:
Your valid passport,
a photograph,
the Form DS-160 confirmation page,
proof of paid fees,
interview confirmation letter,
the O-1 or O-2 visa holder’s Form I-797,
the O-1 or O-2 visa holder’s copy of passport,
Proof of your relationship with the O-1 or O-2 visa holder;
If you are the spouse, then you need a valid marriage certificate and for children, you need a valid birth certificate.
What 3 benefits do I get with an O-2 work visa?
You can do the following with an O-2 visa:
1. Receive your visa fast;
2. Travel freely within and outside of the United States throughout the duration of the visa and
3. Obtain O-3 visas for accompanying family members.
How many O Non-immigrant Visas have been issued lately?
In the past years many O-1, O-2 and O-3 dependent Visas have been issued!
Each year there was a good increase in applicants and people were showing more and more interest in these visas but then it gradually went down because of the pandemic.
