O-1 Visa

An O-1 visa may be suitable for a very select individual of extraordinary ability in the arts, sciences, education, business, entertainment or athletics who is able to document preeminence and who will work in the US for a sponsoring employer or organization.

An employee applying for a visa under this category must be able to produce objective evidence of their preeminence and accomplishments in their field of expertise. For example: an employee who seeks an O-1 in engineering will have to demonstrate that he/she has achieved recognition internationally as a preeminent extraordinary engineer by his/her peers in the field. This is often demonstrated through publications, citations, patents and other types of objective peer review and acknowledgment.

The initial O-1 visa is granted for three years. An individual may apply for further O-1's in additional one-year increments with Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS). There is no cap on the amount of time an individual can remain in O-1 status.

DATA NEEDED TO APPLY FOR O-1 STATUS

The following information is required by English & van Horne to apply for O-1 Status:

• Name of Company, Division and actual location(s) (street, city, state, and zip) where the individual will actually be employed -i.e. job site.
• Human Resource and hiring Manager contact information, including phone numbers and email ID.
• US Salary (excluding bonus).
• Description of proposed duties in the US.

• Copies of all University degrees with transcripts, in with English Translation.
• Description of which degrees apply to the work performed.
• Detailed resume with specific dates of employment, employer's full names, addresses and duties with particular attention to authority held and exercised.
• US immigration history. Specifically, any prior periods (dates) of stay on an F-1, J-1, H-1B or other visa(s), and any presence in the US beyond period of authorized stay.
• Indicate any immigrant petitions or labor certifications previously filed on behalf of the individual.
• Has the individual ever been denied any US immigration benefit?
• Foreign home address.
• Copy of passport validity page.
• Full legal name, date and place of birth for the individual and any family members.
• Degree equivalencies: There may be a need to get degree equivalencies if the last or highest university degree was received outside of Canada or the US. (These will be obtained by English & van Horne, if none are presently available.)

• Copy of each and every page in his/her passport.
• Copy of front and back of I-94 Admission Card.
• Copy of any/all employment authorization card.
• Copies of any petition approvals from the CIS.
• US Social Security number.
• US home address.
• If any family members are in the US, what are their status?
• Copies of recent pay stubs for the past three months (just prior to final submission).
• Copies of marriage and birth certificates for self and all dependants.