Schedule A Telephone,
E-mail, or In-Person
Consultation
E-mail Us Your Questions
Blog Your Questions
and Comments
GERALD CIPOLLA & ASSOCIATES  
IMMIGRATION ATTORNEYS & ATTORNEYS FOR IMMIGRANTS
Arts, Athletics, Entertainment, Sciences, Business, and
Education Temporary Visa: (O1 Visa, O2 Visa, and O3 Visa)

O visas are short-term work visas available for persons doing specialized
work in the arts, athletics, sciences, business, entertainment, and
education.  The Immigration and Nationality Act requires that the O1 Visa
applicant have an “extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education,
business, or athletics which has been demonstrated by sustained
national or international acclaim or, with regard to motion picture and
television productions a demonstrated record of extraordinary
achievement, and whose achievements have been recognized in the
field through extensive documentation, and seeks to enter the United
States to continue work in the area of extraordinary ability.”  


Duration & Limits of O Visas

There are no limits to the amount of available O Visas.  Each O visa is
valid for the length of time necessary for a particular event, tour, or
season, up to a maximum of three years.  O visas may be extended for
one year periods in unlimited increments.  


Applicants of extraordinary ability in science, education,
business, or athletics eligible for O visas must satisfy at least
three of the following requirements

  • Received a Nationally recognized prize or award for excellence;

  • Be a Member in associations that require outstanding achievements
    of their members in the Applicant’s field of expertise;

  • Have published material in professional or trade publications or have
    major media attention related to the Applicant and the Applicant’s
    work;

  • Have Participated on a Panel or individually as a Judge of the work of
    others in the Applicant’s field of expertise;

  • Made Scientific, Scholarly, or Business-related contributions of major
    significance in the Applicant’s field of expertise;

  • Authored Scholarly Articles in professional journals;

  • Have Commanded or command a high salary or other compensation
    for the Applicant’s expertise.


Applicants of extraordinary ability in the arts and entertainment,
except movies and television, must establish three of the
following to qualify for a O1 Visa

  • Evidence that the Applicant has or will perform services as a lead or
    starring participant in productions or events that possess a
    distinguished reputations as evidenced by critical reviews,
    advertisements, publicity releases, publications, contracts, or
    endorsements;

  • Evidence that the Applicant possesses national and/or international
    recognition for achievement evidenced by critical reviews, other
    published materials by or about the beneficiary in major papers, trade
    journals, magazines, or other publications;

  • Evidence that the Applicant has performed in a lead, starring or
    critical role for organizations and establishments that have a
    distinguished reputation evidenced by major papers, trade journals,
    magazines, or other publications, or testimonials;

  • Evidence that the Applicant has a record of major commercial or
    critically acclaimed success and other occupational achievements
    reported in trade journals, magazines, or other publications;

  • Evidence that the Applicant has achieved significant recognition from
    organizations, critics, government agencies, recognized experts;

  • Evidence that the Applicant has commanded or will command a high
    salary or other compensation in relation to others in the field.


Applicants for O1 Visas in movies or television must show at least
3 of the following

  • Evidence that the alien has been nominated for, or has been the
    recipient of, significant national or international awards or prizes in
    the particular field such as an Academy Award, an Emmy, a Grammy,
    or a Director's Guild Award; or

  • Evidence that the alien has performed, and will perform, services as a
    lead or starring participant in productions or events which have a
    distinguished reputation as evidenced by critical reviews,
    advertisements, publicity releases, publications contracts, or
    endorsements;

  • Evidence that the alien has achieved national or international
    recognition for achievements evidenced by critical reviews or other
    published materials by or about the individual in major newspapers,
    trade journals, magazines, or other publications;

  • Evidence that the alien has performed, and will perform, in a lead,
    starring, or critical role for organizations and establishments that have
    a distinguished reputation evidenced by articles in newspapers, trade
    journals, publications, or testimonials;

  • Evidence that the Applicant has a record of major commercial or
    critically acclaimed successes as evidenced by such indicators as
    title, rating, standing in the field, box office receipts, motion picture or
    television ratings, and other occupational achievements reported in
    trade journals, major newspapers, or other publications;

  • Evidence that the Applicant has received significant recognition for
    achievements from organizations, critics, government agencies, or
    other recognized experts in the field in which the Applicant is
    engaged. Such testimonials must be in a form which clearly indicates
    the author's authority, expertise, and knowledge of the Applicant's
    achievements; or

  • Evidence that the Applicant has either commanded a high salary or
    will command a high salary or other substantial remuneration for
    services in relation to others in the field, as evidenced by contracts or
    other reliable evidence.


O1 Visas

O1 Visas are important for J1 and J2 Visa Holders as many holders of J1
and J2 Visas are not permitted to obtain H Visa or L visa status until they
have spent at least two years in their home country, however O1 Visas
may still be a viable option.  
For more information in whether a O1 Visa is appropriate for you and to
navigate through the voluminous detailed rules and restrictions of O
Visas, contact Gerald & Cipolla and Associates for a consultation.  


O2 Visa – Essential Support Stat For People With O1 visas

O2 Visas are available for Applicants who work as essential support
personnel of O1 Athletes, Artists, and Entertainers.  O2 visas are not
available for persons that assist O1 visa holders in business, education,
and science.  O2 visas are valid for the length of time necessary for a
particular event, tour, or season, up to a maximum of three years.  O2
visas may be extended for one year periods in unlimited increments.  

O2 Visa Requirements:

The requirements for O2 Visa Applicants are as follows:

  • The O2 applicant is an integral part of such actual performance;
  • The O2 Applicant has critical skills and experience which are not of a
    general nature and which cannot be performed by other individuals;

The requirements for Motion Picture or Television O2 Applicants
are as follows:

  • The O2 Applicant has skills and experience that are not of a general
    nature and which are critical either based on a pre-existing long-
    standing working relationship or, with respect to the specific
    production, because significant production (including pre- and post-
    production work) will take place both inside and outside the United
    States;
  • the continuing participation of the O2 Applicant  is essential to the
    successful completion of the production.

For more information in whether a O1 Visa is appropriate for you and to
navigate through the voluminous detailed rules and restrictions of O
Visas, contact Gerald & Cipolla and Associates for a consultation.  


O3 Visa – Accompanying Relatives of Those With O1 and O2
Visas

O3 Visas are available to accompanying spouses and unmarried
children under the age of 21 of O1 and O2 Visa Holders.  O3 Visa
Holders may not work, however may apply for a green card while in the
United States on a O3 Visa.

For more information in whether a O1 Visa is appropriate for you and to
navigate through the voluminous detailed rules and restrictions of O
Visas, contact Gerald & Cipolla and Associates for a consultation.

Gerald Cipolla & Associates is a Chicago, US based law firm specializing in
immigration law along with protecting and asserting the rights of
immigrants in areas beyond immigration law.  Immigration law is
federal in nature.  Gerald Cipolla & Associates does not claim
expertise in the laws of states or countries other than where our
attorneys are licensed. Gerald Cipolla & Associates retains clients
only after following specifically stated immigration consultation
procedures. The information contained on this website is intended
to provide general education to its users and is not intended to
provide solutions to specific problems, facts, or cases.  Users of this
website are not encouraged to resolve individual immigration
issues on the basis of information contained herein and are strongly
advised to contact an immigration lawyer.  Please contact Gerald
Cipolla & Associates so that we may consult with you based on your
specific immigration issue or other legal issue.  

Copyright © 2007 Gerald Cipolla & Associates -- All Rights
Reserved.

Gerald Cipolla & Associates
3257 N. Sheffield Ave.
Suite 104
Chicago, Illinois 60657  
Phone (773) 687-0549
Fax: (773) 525-4947
info@geraldcipollalaw.com
Work
Visas & Greencards
Investor Visas &
Greencards
Family & Marriage
Visa & Greencards
Student & Scholar Visas
Travel &
Temporary
Business Visas
Citizenship,
Political Asylum,
& Miscellaneous
Deportation &
Detention
Overseas
Business,
Investment, &
Trade Law
Other Practice
Areas