The O-1 visa is a powerful option for individuals who possess extraordinary ability in their field—whether in science, education, business, athletics, the arts, or the motion picture and television industry. It allows talented professionals from around the world to work temporarily in the United States and contribute to American innovation, culture, and...
Category: O-1 Visas
Visa Planning for Foreign Founders: What to Know Before Launching a U.S. Startup
As more international entrepreneurs look to build their companies in the United States, understanding the interplay between U.S. visa options and startup ownership structures has become essential. Choosing the wrong entity or pursuing the wrong immigration strategy can delay — or even derail — your plans.
Here’s what foreign...
U.S. Visa Processing in 2025: New Consular Trends, Policies, and Pitfalls to Watch
For foreign nationals and families pursuing U.S. visas through consulates abroad, recent developments at the U.S. Department of State have introduced new procedures and heightened scrutiny. From shifting vetting standards to policy-driven decision-making, visa applicants must now navigate a more complex and dynamic landscape than ever before.
This article...
Corporate Immigration in the United States: A Foundational Overview for Employers and Professionals
Corporate immigration is a vital component of workforce mobility and talent acquisition in the United States. Each year, businesses rely on immigration programs to bring highly skilled professionals, executives, researchers, and investors to the U.S. while navigating a legal system shaped by decades of policy evolution.
This overview introduces...
Being a Great Person with a Big Heart is Not a U.S. Immigration Category
Many people reach out to immigration attorneys with heartfelt stories about individuals they know who are wonderful, hardworking, and kind-hearted, hoping to sponsor them for U.S. immigration. While character and goodwill are commendable, U.S. immigration law does not have a visa category based solely on these qualities. Immigration to the United States...
Understanding the New Evidentiary Requirements for O-1 Nonimmigrants
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently updated its policy guidance for O-1 nonimmigrant visa applicants, clarifying the evidentiary requirements and adding new examples for individuals in critical and emerging technologies. Effective immediately, these updates aim to modernize pathways for experts in fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), aligning with the...
USCIS Updates O-1 Visa Guidance: What Experts in Emerging Technologies Need to Know
On Jan. 8, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services issued guidance in the Policy Manual, Vol. 2, Part M, to clarify how USCIS evaluates evidence to determine eligibility for O-1 nonimmigrant visas for individuals with extraordinary ability or achievement, including adding examples of evidence for individuals...
Immigration Lessons from Hollywood: What “The Proposal” Teaches Employers
Romantic comedies often take creative liberties, but beneath the humor and drama, movies like The Proposal highlight real-life challenges of immigration compliance. In the film, Margaret Tate, a Canadian executive played by Sandra Bullock, faces deportation and orchestrates a fake engagement with her assistant, Andrew (Ryan Reynolds), to maintain her U.S. residency. While the...
Rise in Approvals for O-1A Visas and National Interest Waivers: What It Means for High-Skilled Immigrants
Recent years have seen significant changes in high-skilled immigration to the United States, with a notable increase in approvals for O-1A visas and National Interest Waivers (NIW). These shifts come in the wake of favorable guidance from the Biden Administration, which is focused on attracting top talent in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.
Navigating the O-1 and O-2 Visas: A Path for Extraordinary Talent
If you are a top performer in the arts, sciences, education, business, or athletics, the United States offers unique opportunities for you to share your talents. The O-1 and O-2 visas are tailored for individuals with exceptional abilities and achievements. In this blog, we’ll guide you through what these visas are, who...