What is O1 Visa?

The O1 visa is a U.S. non-immigrant visa for individuals with extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics, or with a record of extraordinary achievement in film/TV, who have national or international recognition.
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O-1A: For individuals with extraordinary ability in sciences, education, business, or athletics.

O-1B: For individuals with extraordinary ability in the arts or extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry.

  1. Temporary stay in the US
  2. Work authorization
  3. Ability to bring support staff

It provides a pathway for exceptional individuals to temporarily live and work in the US.

An O-1 expert opinion letter (also sometimes called a consultation letter or advisory opinion) is a critical piece of evidence in an O-1 non-immigrant visa application. The O-1 visa is for individuals with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics, or those with a demonstrated record of extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry.

This letter is written by an authority or expert in the applicant’s field who can attest to the applicant’s extraordinary ability and achievements. It serves to:

  • Validate the Applicant’s Achievements: The expert provides an objective evaluation of the applicant’s accomplishments, explaining their significance and impact within the field.
  • Establish Credibility: The letter from a recognized expert adds weight and credibility to the applicant’s claims of extraordinary ability.
  • Provide Context for USCIS: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officers may not be experts in the applicant’s specific field. The opinion letter helps them understand the applicant’s achievements in the context of their industry and why they rise to the level of “extraordinary ability.”
  • Support Specific O-1 Criteria: The letter should ideally address specific criteria that the applicant is using to demonstrate their extraordinary ability (e.g., awards, publications, critical roles, commercial success).

Key Components of a Strong O-1 Expert Opinion/Advisory Letter:

  1. Expert’s credentials: Establish the expert’s authority and qualifications.
  2. Detailed evaluation: Provide a thorough assessment of the individual’s achievements and contributions.
  3. Specific examples: Offer concrete examples of the individual’s work and its impact.
  4. Comparison to peers: Compare the individual to others in their field, highlighting their exceptional abilities.
  5. Clear conclusion: Clearly state that the individual meets the O-1 visa requirements.
A well-crafted expert opinion letter can significantly strengthen an O-1 visa application.

Documents required for O-1 EOL

  • All education credentials and latest resume in word.
  • RFE copy (Not required for initial petitions).
  • Evidence of the beneficiary’s membership in associations in the field which demand outstanding achievement of their members.
  • Evidence of receipt of nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence.
  • Evidence of published material about the beneficiary in professional or major trade publications or other major media.
  • Evidence that the beneficiary has been asked to judge the work of others, either individually or on a panel.
  • Evidence of the beneficiary’s original scientific, scholarly, artistic, athletic, or business-related contributions of major significance to the field.
  • Evidence of the beneficiary’s authorship of scholarly articles in professional or major trade publications or other major media.
  • Evidence that the beneficiary’s work has been displayed at artistic exhibitions or showcases.
  • Evidence of the beneficiary’s performance of a leading or critical role in distinguished organizations.
  • Evidence of the beneficiary’s commercial success in the performing arts.
  • And any other relevant documents being submitted to the USCIS.
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