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O-1 Visa
The O-1 visa is a type of employment visa issued by the United States government. It is granted to foreign nationals who have demonstrated extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics. This must be demonstrated by significant national or international acclaim. When the law says “significant international acclaim”, it is referring to awards such as the Nobel Prize (that is an example of the caliber of people who get these visas, but the Nobel Prize is not a specific requirement to get one).
An O-1 visa allows such a person to come to the United States to continue their work in their area of extraordinary ability. However, the position they are working in need not require someone of their extraordinary ability. So, if a job could be done by someone of lesser ability, that does not preclude someone from getting an O-1 visa, as long as the job is in their field of expertise.
This immigration law is interpreted broadly: it can apply to people in almost any creative or learned trade, such as artists, doctors, lawyers, scientists, chefs, architects, designers, carpenters, etc.
An O-1 visa allows its holder to stay in the U.S. for up to 2 years. A person cannot apply for an O-1 visa on his or her own behalf. Generally, a U.S. employer will have to apply for them.
The qualification requirements for O-1 visas are similar to the requirements for permanent residence for aliens of extraordinary ability. This means that anyone qualified for an O-1 visa has a good chance of qualifying for permanent residence, if they so desire.
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