O-1 Visa Lawyer

Many companies in the U.S. rely on immigrants with specialized talents and credentials to fill open positions in their businesses. To get you on board, they’re willing to sponsor your application for an O-1 visa. To enjoy all the benefits associated with a work authorization, rely on an O1 visa lawyer in New York City at Kats Immigration Law to walk you and your employer through the process. Make it easy and stress free by calling Alina Kats, your top New York O-1 visa attorney.

What Is an O-1 Visa?

An O-1 visa is a temporary work visa designed to allow non-immigrants with extraordinary abilities in business athletics, arts sciences or education to enter the United States for an initial period of up to three years. It can also be an option for those who have demonstrated extraordinary achievement in the television or motion picture industry and received recognition nationally or internationally.

It can be challenging to obtain an O-1 visa, especially without the assistance of an O-1 visa lawyer. This is a complicated category that’s not often used. If you’re looking for an O-1 visa lawyer in New York, look no further than Kats Immigration Law where you can benefit from the expertise of AlinaKats

How Do I Demonstrate Extraordinary Abilities or Achievement?

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) determines whether an individual qualifies for an O-1 visa. Approval requires the applicant to prove ability that’s considered extraordinary. Some ways to demonstrate extraordinary abilities as a business professional, scientist or educator include:

• Receipt of a major internationally recognized award such as the Nobel Prize
• Receipt of less well-known awards or prizes for excellence in the field
• Coverage of your work appearing in major trade publications
• Evidence of being the author of scholarly articles in professional journals or major media
• Qualifying for membership in associations that require outstanding achievements
• Employment in a critical capacity working for organizations with a distinguished reputation, and evidence of a high salary that reflects extraordinary abilities

Recommendation letters that state your expertise and authority help prove extraordinary abilities.  People who provide recommendation letters should have in-depth knowledge of your industry and abilities. It’s a good idea to obtain six or more letters of recommendation. These letters should be written on letterhead and signed and dated by the person recommending you.

What’s the Process for Obtaining an O-1 Visa?

An O-1 visa is intended for those being hired as employees, and a petition for you to obtain an O-1 visa must be submitted by an employer or agent. Individuals can’t petition for themselves, which means an individual who’s self-employed wouldn’t qualify for an O-1 visa. Steps to obtaining this type of visa include:

1. An employer or agent must file Form I-129 for you, which is the Petition for Nonimmigrant Workers along with the O supplement. It should be filed at least 45 days prior to the start of employment.
2. A written advisory opinion from a labor union or peer group should be included. It can also be from a person with expertise in the field.
3. A copy of the employment contract must be provided. If it was an oral agreement, there needs to be a summary of the terms agreed to.
4. An explanation of beginning and ending dates, as well as the nature of the duties or activities of the non-immigrant, should also be included.

Collecting the required documents can be a time-consuming process. Documents can be submitted up to a year in advance of an event or project that an employer needs you for. To make sure the application is filled out correctly and filed by required deadlines, work with an experienced New York O-1 visa attorney.

Allow three to four months for the application to be processed. If you have a deadline looming, you can pay extra for Premium Processing, which allows you to get a response within 15 days. Once the petition is approved, you’re eligible to apply for the O-1 visa.

What Are the Benefits of an O-1 Visa?

There are several different work visa options, and each is intended for different purposes. A similar type of visa is an H-1B visa which is for people who work in specialty occupations. Not a lot of people qualify for an O-1 visa, but for those who do, there are several benefits, including:

• An O-1 visa usually has a shorter processing time than H-1B visa.
• There’s no annual limit to the number of people who can be issued this type of visa.
• O-1 visas are usually granted for the duration of a project, up to three years. This type of visa can be renewed in one-year increments but there’s no maximum number of times it can be renewed.
• A professional degree isn’t a requirement of an O-1 visa, whereas a minimum of a bachelor’s degree is required for an H-1B visa.
• Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 can accompany you to the United States on an O-3 visa

If you’re approved for an O-1 visa, you can legally work in the United States for your sponsor. This is a non-immigrant visa, which means it’s a temporary visa that doesn’t lead to a green card Your O1 visa lawyer in New York can guide you in applying for an adjustment of status if you’re interested in being considered for permanent residency status.

How Can an O-1 Visa Lawyer in New York Help Me?

An O-1 visa lawyer in NYC reviews your individual situation and lets you know all options that may be available to you. O-1 visa is a category intended for those who have risen to the top of their fields and only a small number of people qualify.

The best O-1 lawyers tell you if the O-1 visa is a good option for you or if there are other categories that may work better for you. For a knowledgeable and experienced NYC O-1 visa attorney, your best choice is Alina Kats. Contact Kats Immigration Law today.