Extraordinary Ability

The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) provides several categories of nonimmigrant visas for a person who wishes to work temporarily in the United States. There are annual numerical limits on some classifications.

The O-1 Visa classification applies to persons who have extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics, or extraordinary achievements in the motion picture and television field.

The O-2 classification applies to persons accompanying an O-1 Alien to assist in an artistic or athletic performance for a specific event or performance.

An Orlando O-1 visa attorney can assist you in evaluating your situation.

How to demonstrate extraordinary ability?

To demonstrate extraordinary ability by sustained national or international acclaim, the alien must meet several criteria. The criteria vary depending on the field. However, below are some examples of what may be required:

  • receipt of nationally or internationally recognized awards;
  • membership in an organization that requires outstanding achievement;
  • published materials about the applicant in a professional or major trade publication;
  • being appointed as a judge of the work of others;
  • original scientific or scholarly work of major significance in his or her field;
  • authorship of scholarly work;
  • employment in a critical or essential capacity at an organization with a distinguished reputation;
  • commanding or will command a high salary in relation to others in the field.

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