Why Should You Hire an O-1 Visa Lawyer?

Looking forward to getting an O-1 visa? As the U.S immigration laws are complicated and have stringent requirements, contacting an immigration lawyer can increase our chances to get your visa approved. So here are some important bits of information you should know first about the O-1 visa and the main procedures of acquiring one.

Overview of O1 visa

The O-1 visa category is visa status for foreigners who demonstrate extraordinary ability & skills in their respective fields like science, academics, business, sports, arts, etc. and are coming to the United States to continue to work in the area for which they have received recognition. Foreign nationals in the fields of science, education, business, or athletics must demonstrate “sustained national or international acclaim” pertain to (O-1A), whereas foreign nationals in the field of arts need only demonstrate “prominence” or “distinction” in the field that falls in O-1B category. On the other hand, foreign nationals coming to assist an artistic or athletic performance are issued an O-2 nonimmigrant status.

As this visa category is an employment visa that allows a foreign national to come and work in the United States, applications for an O-1 type of Visa can be submitted through a qualified U.S agent, U.S. employer, or a foreign employer representing the O-1 Visa candidate. The benefit of O-1 visa status is that the receiver can obtain permanent resident status at the same time while living in the U.S. Here are the various types of O-1 visa status granted:

• People who demonstrate their extraordinary skills in the field of sciences, academics, businesses, or sports.
• This applies to individuals who demonstrate extraordinary skills in the fields of music, or media like T.V, press, and radio and have also received national or international recognition for the same.
• People who will follow the O-1 person to a common event or performance.
• People who are the spouses or children of O-1 or O-2 visa holder status individuals

O-1 Visa Qualifications

O1 visa requirements are complex and stringent. To qualify for this visa, the applicant must be able to demonstrate that he or she has received sustained acclaim either nationally or internationally and is seeking entry into the United States to work in the same field for which the acclaim was achieved. In the sciences, business, education, and athletic fields, this means that the person can demonstrate that he or she is at the very top of the profession. In the arts, the person must have achieved distinction, which means he or she is a leading figure or person of renown in the field. Applicants for an O-1 visa for television or motion pictures must be able to show evidence that they are leading or notable persons in the field. 

Why should you contact an O1 visa lawyer? 

Hiring an O-1 visa attorney is important to get your visa approved as there are various processes and documentation that need to be submitted correctly for the acceptance and approval of your application. Even when the individuals qualify for the visa, even the simplest of mistakes can get the visa denied. As there is little room for discrepancies and mistakes, hiring an immigration attorney can help you get through the process easily. A qualified and experienced immigration attorney can help you in the following ways:

• Effectively communicate with your U.S.employer to assist their sponsorship of your visa status submission
• Compile and present sample letters of recommendation that apply to your sector to be utilized for reference purposes.
• Help you fill all the necessary documentation accurately with no scope of mistakes
• The attorney can help you in getting an affidavit or advisory review or opinion with a suitable peer team or independent consulting body regarding the type of work you will be doing in the U.S. 
• The lawyer can help you in obtaining O-1 nonimmigrant status which requires the employer or agent to file a Form I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker, with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). 

It would be, therefore, wise to let an experienced immigration lawyer handle your case and get you through the visa approval process.  This will not just ensure that everything is done appropriately but will also maximize your chances of getting your O-1 visa approved successfully.