Science, business, sports
O-1A — for professionals with achievements
Science, education, business, sports. A fit for IT engineers, scientists, physicians, investors, executives, coaches — anyone who can prove 3 of the 8 USCIS criteria.
The US O-1 visa — for professionals with extraordinary achievements
A non-immigrant visa for people recognized in science, IT, the arts, sports, or business. Works even if you have no US employer — we will help you find a petitioner.
95% approval rate
Our O-1 case statistics since 2023. Every petition is prepared by a licensed US attorney.
Money-back guarantee in the contract
Your visa petition gets approved or you get your money back. The terms are written into the contract.
No lottery, no quotas
You can file a petition at any time of year. Premium Processing — a decision in 15 days.
A path to a Green Card
O-1 opens the door to EB-1A: you can move to a Green Card while already in the US.
What is the O-1
What the O-1 visa gives you and how it differs from immigrant programs
The O-1 is a non-immigrant visa for people with extraordinary abilities. It is issued for up to 3 years with unlimited renewals. O-1 has two subcategories — depending on your field of work.
When to choose O-1
- You want to move to the US fast — processing takes 2-5 months (from 6 weeks with Premium).
- You are ready to work for a specific employer or agent (we will help you find a petitioner).
- You are not sure your achievements are enough for EB-1A — O-1 has a lower bar on the criteria.
- You do not want to wait in the Green Card backlog (years for some countries).
- You plan to move to EB-1A later, while already in the US.
When to choose EB-1A
- You want a Green Card right away, with no interim status.
- You are confident in your achievements — you can meet 3 of the 10 strict USCIS criteria.
- You are prepared for a longer process (6-12 months).
- You want your spouse and children to get Green Cards along with you.
- No employer needed — you file the petition yourself (self-petition).
Arts and film
O-1B — for artists and creatives
Painters, musicians, directors, designers, actors. Clear criteria for creative professions — exhibitions, festivals, awards, and coverage in recognized publications.
Who it's for
We help professionals from many fields around the world move to the US legally
Do you have a university degree and significant professional achievements? Find out which visa type is right for you.
Tech professionals
Senior developers, architects, Data Science and AI specialists — with patents, conference talks, or high-load projects.
O-1EB-1AEB-2 NIW
Scientists
PhDs and researchers with publications, grants, and citations in peer-reviewed journals.
EB-1AEB-2 NIWO-1
Entrepreneurs
Tech entrepreneurs, business owners, and startup founders ready to launch or scale a company in the US market.
E-2L-1EB-5
Executives
Leaders of international companies — a transfer to a US office or a Green Card through EB-1C.
L-1O-1EB-1A
Investors
From $800K in EB-5 or $100K in E-2 — a Green Card and status for your whole family.
EB-5E-2
Artists & creatives
Painters, musicians, film directors, and designers with exhibitions, festivals, and awards.
O-1BEB-1A
Doctors
Surgeons, physicians, and clinical researchers with publications and professional recognition.
O-1EB-1AEB-2 NIW
Educators
Professors, lecturers, and experts with academic work and international recognition.
EB-1AEB-2 NIW
Athletes
Athletes and coaches with podium finishes, rankings, and national team experience.
O-1EB-1A
Bloggers & media
Influencers, journalists, and media personalities with an audience, reach, and publications.
O-1EB-1A
Don't see your profession here? We work with professionals from many different fields.
Check if I qualify8 USCIS criteria
3 of the 8 criteria are enough for O-1 approval
USCIS evaluates applicants against 8 criteria. Convincingly proving 3 criteria is enough. Our attorneys build a case file of 200-1,500 pages of evidence. We usually file 4-5 criteria — to keep a safety margin in case the officer rejects one of them.
- 1
Awards and prizes
National or international awards for achievement. Grants, prizes, competition wins. It does not have to be an Oscar — industry awards and hackathons count too.
- 2
Membership in associations
Professional associations that admit members based on achievements. IEEE, ACM, artists’ unions, medical and scientific societies. Migrator keeps a list of organizations recognized by USCIS.
- 3
Press coverage about you
Articles, interviews, and mentions of you or your work in major or industry media. What matters is your recognition in the field.
- 4
Judging and expert review
Peer-reviewing academic papers, serving on competition juries, evaluating grant applications, assessing startups.
- 5
Original contributions to your field
Patents, proprietary methodologies, open-source projects, scientific discoveries — anything that has influenced your field.
- 6
Scholarly or authored publications
Articles in peer-reviewed journals, book chapters, conference talks. Your citation index matters.
- 7
Leading role at distinguished organizations
A key position at companies with a distinguished reputation. Leadership roles, senior managers, heads of business units.
- 8
High salary or commercial success
Income well above the industry average. Strong sales, box-office numbers, downloads, ratings — measurable results of your work.
Not sure your achievements are enough for O-1?
An attorney will review your profile against the USCIS criteria — for free. You will learn which criteria you already meet and how long preparation will take.
How it works
How to get a US visa in 7 steps — no chaos, no hunting down a dozen specialists
Swipe to see all the steps
Step 1 of 7
Free visa assessment
You fill out a questionnaire, and our specialists analyze your case in detail to assess your real chances of approval. At this stage you already see which path is the most promising for you. We then contact you to schedule an online meeting that suits you.
1 / 7
Take the first step — get a free expert consultation and an eligibility checklist
ConsultationTimeline
The average time to get an O-1 visa is 2-5 months. From 6 weeks with Premium Processing.
| Stage | Timeframe |
|---|---|
| Case assessment and contract | 1-2 days |
| Building the evidence portfolio | 2-8 weeks |
| Preparing the petition | 2-4 weeks |
| USCIS processing | 1-3 mo. / 15 days (Premium) |
| Getting your visa | 2-4 weeks |
The longest stage is building the evidence portfolio. The pace depends on how quickly you provide documents, recommendation letters, and proof of your achievements.
Migrator runs 3 rounds of document review by specialists at different levels — the final word and the filing itself always belong to a licensed US attorney.
Why Migrator
95% approval rate for our attorneys — with a money-back guarantee in the contract
Every case is handled by a licensed US attorney. The company takes on the financial risk — it is written into the contract.
* The 95% approval rate is an approximate figure based on approved cases across different time periods and visa categories.
Licensed US attorneys
Every case is handled by a licensed US attorney or accredited representative specializing in immigration law. Hundreds of approved petitions.
Money-back guarantee in the contract
Approval or a full refund — the terms are written into the contract. Migrator takes on the financial risk — this is not a marketing gimmick.
Fixed price · $15,000
The price is set before the contract is signed. RFE responses, additional consultations, case adjustments — all included. Government fees are not included.
Available 24/7
In your personal chat: department head, supervisor, paralegal, case manager, and an AI bot. Weekly progress updates.
Three rounds of document review
The coordinator checks completeness, the attorney checks legal strength, the senior partner checks case strategy. Your petition passes three filters before it reaches USCIS.
Support after approval
We help you book your consulate appointment and coach you for the interview. We stay in touch for next-step questions even after you get your visa.
Don't put it off
Start your O-1 journey today — later it only gets harder and more expensive
Requirements keep tightening
US immigration policy is changing. Criteria that pass today may not be enough a year from now. Cases approved in 2024 already require a stronger evidence portfolio in 2026.
Processing times are growing
Standard petition processing keeps getting longer. What used to take 1 month can now take 3. The sooner you file, the sooner you get a result.
Achievements lose relevance
A 2022 publication carries more weight than the same publication in 2028. A three-year-old award is more convincing than a ten-year-old one. The fresher your achievements, the stronger your case.
The window for your family is closing
Children adapt more easily at 5 than at 12. It is easier for a spouse to start a career at 35 than at 45. Every year of waiting is a year your family could have spent in the US.
Request a free assessment
Submit a request and get a free visa assessment
Fill out the form — an immigration specialist will contact you with a free assessment of your case.
No spam, fully confidential
Free case assessment
Not sure you’d qualify? See real client cases — with USCIS approval letters.
View case studiesFrequently asked questions
about the O-1 visa
Can I file an O-1 petition for myself?
No. An O-1 beneficiary cannot file the petition on their own behalf. The filing requires a U.S. petitioner: an employer, an agent, or a U.S. company you own if the arrangement meets immigration-law requirements. You may still prepare the supporting documents and organize the filing yourself if you understand the USCIS requirements.
Can I work for multiple companies in O-1 status?
Yes. An O-1 beneficiary may work for multiple employers or clients when the approved petition covers that work. A U.S. agent commonly represents several employers or projects, or every employer is listed in the petition. All work must remain within the terms approved by USCIS.
What happens when I change employers in O-1 status?
A new O-1 petition must be filed for the new employer. After approval, you can continue working for that employer. If your O-1 visa stamp remains valid, you generally do not need to obtain a new visa at a consulate solely because of the employer change.
Can I run my own business in O-1 status?
This structure may be possible, but it does not turn O-1 into a self-petition category. You still need a proper petitioner and evidence of genuine projects and professional activity, not only a newly registered company.
Who can receive O-3 status with an O-1 beneficiary?
A spouse and unmarried children under age 21 may accompany the principal O-1 beneficiary or join them later. Their O-3 status depends on the validity of the principal O-1 status.
Can O-3 family members work or study?
A spouse and unmarried children under age 21 may live and study in the United States in O-3 status, but they are not authorized to work. A spouse may own a U.S. company and receive income as an owner if they do not perform unauthorized work. An O-3 family member may also receive foreign-source income that is not tied to work performed in the United States, such as passive investment income, rent, dividends, or income from a foreign business.
What happens if O-1 employment ends early?
If the employment ends before the O-1 validity period expires, you generally may have up to 60 days to find a new employer, file a new petition, change status, or leave the United States. A new employer may file an O-1 petition without waiting for the original validity period to end.