The U.S. O-1 visa for individuals with extraordinary ability is intended for foreign nationals who possess extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics, or who have demonstrated a record of extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry. O visas are generally categorized as follows:
1. O-1A: For individuals with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics (excluding the arts, motion picture, or television industry);
2. O-1B: For individuals with extraordinary achievement in the arts or the motion picture or television industry;
3. O-2: For individuals who accompany an O-1 artist or athlete to assist in their performance. For O-1A visa holders, the assistance provided by the O-2 applicant must be an integral part of the O-1 holder's activities. For O-1B visa holders, the O-2's assistance must be critical to the completion of the production. The O-2 visa applicant must possess critical skills and experience that are necessary for the O-1 visa holder's work and cannot be performed by a U.S. worker;
4. O-3: For the spouse or children of O-1 and O-2 visa holders.
Application Requirements for the U.S. O-1 Non-immigrant Visa for Individuals with Extraordinary Ability
1. The applicant must demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim to perform temporary work in the U.S. in their field of extraordinary ability;
2. Extraordinary ability in the fields of science, education, business, or athletics means a level of expertise indicating that the person is one of the small percentage who have risen to the very top of the field;
3. Extraordinary ability in the arts means distinction, which is evidenced by a high level of achievement in the arts, demonstrated by a degree of skill and recognition substantially above that ordinarily encountered;
4. To demonstrate extraordinary ability in the motion picture or television industry, the applicant must demonstrate a record of extraordinary achievement, which is a level of skill and recognition significantly above that ordinarily encountered.
O-category visas are initially approved for up to 3 years, with extensions possible in 1-year increments. O-visa holders may enter the United States during the validity period of their visa, and may also enter up to 10 days before the validity period begins and depart within 10 days after the validity period ends.