Factsheet on US O-1A Visa & EB1A Green Card General overview – O1A visa

The U.S. O-1 non-immigrant visa is for distinct personalities who possess extraordinary ability in the field of arts, sciences, business, , or athletics, or who retain a demonstrated record of extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry. The is divided into different categories and has diverse criteria and requirements depending upon the type of extraordinary ability and work to be performed. There are majorly two O-1 visas i.e. O-1A and O-1B which concern the main applicant and two other O-1 visas that are designed for the dependents of the main applicant. The O-1A visa This visa is intended for those individuals who possess extraordinary ability in the fields of sciences, education, business, or athletics. It does not include those working in the arts, motion pictures or television industry. The beneficiary must be able to demonstrate extraordinary ability by sustained national or international acclaim and must be coming temporarily to the to continue work in the area of extraordinary ability. O-2 and O-3 visas are for dependents of O-1A and O-1B. O visas can be issued fairly quickly and are granted for the length of time necessary for a particular event, which can go up to a maximum of three years, with unlimited extensions in one-year increments. General overview – EB1A Green Card

The EB-1A Green Card Option:

The O-1A visa secures the path to EB-1A Green Card option. The O-1A visa holder can eventually go for an adjustment of his status to EB-1A Green Card, by filing of the appropriate form.

This Green Card is granted to those individuals who are able to demonstrate extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics through sustained national or international acclaim. This visa category does not require an offer of employment. Requirement to qualify for US O-1A visa & EB-1A Green card The achievements of the applicant must be recognized in the concerned field through extensive documentation.

The applicant must meet 3 of 10 criteria given below, or provide evidence of a one-time achievement. • The achievements of the applicant must be recognized in the concerned field through extensive documentation. • The applicant must meet 3 of 10 criteria given below, or provide evidence of a one-time achievement. • Evidence of receipt of lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence. • Evidence of applicant’s membership in associations in the field which demand outstanding achievement of their members. • Evidence of published material about the applicant in professional or major trade publications or other major media. • Evidence that the applicant has been asked to judge the work of others, either individually or on a panel. • Evidence of the applicant’s original scientific, scholarly, artistic, athletic, or business-related contributions of major significance to the field. • Evidence of the applicant’s authorship of scholarly articles in professional or major trade publications or other major media. • Evidence that the applicant’s work has been displayed at artistic exhibitions or showcases. • Evidence of the applicant’s performance of a leading or critical role in distinguished organizations. • Evidence that the applicant commands a high salary or other significantly high remuneration in relation to others in the field. • Evidence of the applicant’s commercial successes in the performing arts. Family coverage

The O visa holder and his family can travel in and outside of the U.S. or can even stay continuously for the time their visa stamp and status are valid.

A spouse and unmarried children under age 21 is also allowed to accompany the O visa holder, however, they are not allowed to accept employment in the U.S. Benefits of O-1A visa and EB-1A Green Card

• The visa holder is allowed to live and work in U.S. is also allowed to travel within and outside U.S.

• O-1 visa is a visa, which means, O-1 visa holders can eventually apply for Green Card and obtain permanent residency under the EB-1 category.

• The U.S. O visa is generally sought by non-immigrant workers, with extraordinary ability, who could not come under the annual H-1B quota. This is because the O visa is not restricted numerically by an annual quota.

• U.S. O-1 status is positively different from other employment visas as it relates to various work categories.

• Dependents and assistants of the main applicant, (spouse and children under 21 years) are also allowed to live in the U.S. Our Global footprint

USA Green Card European & UK Programs Caribbean Citizenship • US EB-5 Program • The Republic of Cyprus Residence Scheme • US E-2 Program • The Republic of Malta Residence Programme • The Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by • US L1 & EB-1C • The United Kingdom of Great Britain Tier 1 Investment Programme. • US O1A & EB-1A Investor Visa • The Commonwealth of Dominica Citizenship by • US O1B & EB-1B • The United Kingdom of Great Britain Tier 1 Investment Programme Entrepreneur Visa • Grenada Citizenship by Investment Programme • Greece Golden Visa Program • St Lucia Citizenship by Investment Programme • Portugal Golden Visa Program • Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment • Italian Golden Visa program Programme

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