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Who can apply for an O1 visa?
The O1 visa is a talent-based visa, and the good news is that it is not reserved for one narrow field. Whether your background is in science, technology, management, business, sports, or media, you can potentially apply. If you have reached an exceptional level in your area of work, this visa was designed with people like you in mind.
What does it actually take to qualify?
There are eight different criteria used to evaluate O1 applicants, and you need to satisfy at least three of them. To give you a sense of what those criteria look like, some examples include being employed in a critical role, earning a significant salary, winning national or international awards, or having publications written about you and your work. You do not need to tick every box — just three out of eight.
How long does the O1 application process take?
Because this is a talent visa, there is a substantial amount of documentation involved. If you try to navigate it entirely on your own, the process can take anywhere from eight to twelve months. However, working with experienced help can cut that timeline roughly in half — so the support you bring in makes a real difference to how quickly you can get this moving.
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