In US immigration processes, your claims must be more likely than not to be true. This means if something appears more true than false, USCIS should accept it as true. To meet this standard, the visa petitioner should provide documents that convincingly support the claim’s validity.

For instance, to prove you received VC funding, you could provide signed SAFE agreements with a VC, a published article about your funding round, and documentation about the relevance of the VC.

Keep in mind that theory and practice do not always perfectly align. It’s crucial you speak to an experienced legal team to avoid spending time and money on documentation that does not support your case.

According to recent USCIS policy, yes. In general, the agency requires a legitimate employer-employee relationship, which typically involves the ability to “hire, pay, fire, supervise, or otherwise control the work” of the beneficiary.

Since this policy is new and USCIS has provided little guidance, it remains unclear how these requirements will be applied in the O-1 context.

No. Spouses of O-1 visa holders receive an O-3 visa, which allows them to live in the U.S. but not to work.

They can study, get a driver’s license, open a bank account, and travel in and out of the country freely, but employment is not permitted.

Questions vary, but the most common is: “Tell me why you are extraordinary?” Be ready with a concise summary of your accomplishments.

This is the time to confidently highlight your achievements, not to be modest.

You should also be prepared to explain the details of your U.S. job—your duties, employer, compensation, and location.

With premium processing, most O-1 petitions are decided within 15 business days.

Without premium processing, a decision can take several months, depending on USCIS workload.

The preparation stage—collecting evidence, drafting recommendation letters, and organizing the petition—typically takes anywhere from 6 weeks to 6 months, depending on the applicant’s profile, the attorney’s approach, and how quickly supporting documents are provided.

The O-1A is for individuals with extraordinary ability in the sciences, education, business, or athletics.

The O-1B is for those with extraordinary ability in the arts, or extraordinary achievement in film and television.

While the two categories share similar criteria, the type of evidence required differs based on the field.

In some cases, applicants may qualify under both categories—for example, a marketing professional whose work combines both business and artistic elements.

Yes. You can change employers, but in most cases the new employer must file a new petition before you can begin working with them.

The only exception is for O-1B visas filed through a U.S. agent—in those cases, you may switch or add employers without needing to file a new petition.

Yes. You must have either a U.S. employer or a U.S. agent who files the petition on your behalf.

You cannot self-petition for the O-1. Technically, you can work for a foreign company, but the petition still needs to be filed through a U.S. agent acting as your sponsor.

Only if you hold a visa or work authorization that allows you to work in the U.S. If your status does not permit employment, you cannot legally work—even for a foreign company paying you abroad.

Even with work authorization, it must cover the type of employment you intend to do. For example, an O-1 visa through a U.S. agent may allow you to work with multiple companies, while an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) provides broader flexibility.

Dual intent means you can hold a temporary visa while also intending to apply for permanent residency (a green card).

The H-1B and L-1 visas are true dual intent visas. Most others, such as B-1/B-2, E-2, and F-1, do not permit dual intent, so pursuing a green card from those visas can create complications.

The O-1 is a special case: it is not a dual intent visa by law, but in practice, both USCIS and the Department of State usually treat it as if it were.

Yes. It’s possible to pursue both strategies simultaneously. However, it’s far more common to apply for the O-1 and then pursue the EB-1A. Many applicants use the O-1 as a “bridge” to work legally in the U.S. while building their profile for the EB-1A. The O-1 is temporary, while the EB-1A leads to permanent residency.

Yes. Evidence of press coverage—especially in reputable, independent outlets—is strong proof of recognition in your field. However, not all articles are born equal, and some are far more relevant than others. The article should be mostly about you and your work, have a listed author, and date.

Yes, but only if your petition was filed by a U.S. agent. You cannot freelance outside the scope of your petition or through an employer. In addition, you cannot add new employers after the O-1 petition has been filed — even if it was filed through an agent — except in the case of the O-1B, where this is allowed.

You generally lose status once the employment ends, but you may use the 60-day grace period to find a new sponsor and file a new petition. However, since USCIS has started using its discretion to reduce or even eliminate the grace period in some cases it’s more important than ever to act quickly and consult with legal counsel.

Yes. Children with O-3 or H-4 visas may attend public schools without additional authorization.

No. Technically you can self-file (for EB-1A) or have an employer file without an attorney. However, due to the complexity of the evidence, most applicants strongly benefit from legal representation.

They serve to contextualize and validate your achievements. Strong letters from independent experts can significantly strengthen your case. Letters are not going to be the cornerstone of the application, but are very relevant and helpful to the case.

Yes, but it depends on how your case is being processed:

• Consular processing: If you are outside the U.S. when your petition is approved, you will need to schedule a visa interview and obtain an O-1 visa stamp at a U.S. consulate before reentering.

• Change of Status (COS): If you filed your petition as a Change of Status from within the U.S., traveling abroad it’s not allowed and your case will be considered abandoned.

No. Only U.S. citizens can sponsor parents. Once you become a citizen (typically after holding a green card for 5 years, or 3 years if you became permanent resident through marriage with a US citizen), you may petition for them.

Yes. If your extension is filed before your current O-1 expires, you are allowed to keep working for up to 240 days while USCIS processes the case.

No. O-1 visas can be renewed indefinitely in increments (usually 1–3 years), as long as you continue to meet the criteria.

Extraordinary ability is the language you must use in O-1 and EB-1A cases, and it means you are among the very top in your field. Exceptional ability (EB-2 NIW wording) means you have expertise significantly above the average but not necessarily at the very top.

Yes, but they are generally weaker than major national or international awards. They can still support your profile when combined with stronger evidence. In most cases regional awards are not useful for the awards criteria but are still helpful to establish recognition in your field.

Yes. Patents that have been commercialized or frequently cited can help demonstrate original contributions. However, simply holding a patent that has not been applied or recognized by others in the field is not sufficient to establish this category.

Absolutely. Speaking engagements—especially at well-known or international conferences—show that you are recognized as an authority in your field. The more selective and prestigious the event, the stronger the evidence. Although it does not fall into a specific category, it is very important for the final merits evaluation.