The O-1 visa is a great way for foreign nationals with extraordinary ability in the arts, sciences, education, business, or athletics to work temporarily in the United States. However, there are some disadvantages to this visa that you should be aware of before you apply.
– Finding a sponsor can be difficult.
– The O-1 visa is restrictive in terms of the amount of time you can stay in the US and the type of work you can do.
– There are hidden costs.
– O-1 visas are not as common as other work visas.
Category: O1 Visa
Everything O-1 extraordinary nonimmigrant temporary visa
13 Considerations: Sponsor for the O1-B Visa
All O visas are “sponsored” visas, meaning you need a representative eg. an employer, a manager, agent or company to sponsor you. Your visa sponsor is known as a ‘petitioner’ by the USCIS. There is more to choosing your sponsor than you might think. (This is also true for temporary visas and the P visas).
Many artists come to the USA on the Single Project O-1 visa in order to see if the US is somewhere they would be happy to work and live before committing to a 3 year “blanket O visa” or upgrading to the EB-1 green card. The O1 visa sponsor is very an important aspect to this.
Time Allowed on the O visa
The maximum time allowed on both the USA O1A and O1B visas is 3 years. The visa can then be extended for a year at a time. If you submit a Change of Sponsor it is possible to be approved for another full 3 years. At any time a concurrent O visa can be submitted, also, for the full 3 years. MORE…
How long does it take to get an O-1 US Visa? (It Varies)
Processing Times can vary. Here’s a quick way to find out exactly how long it will take for your O visa application to be processed.
USA Artist Visa Costs (2024)
O-1 – Temporary Artist Visa
Here are the costs broken down:
USCIS Form I-129: $460
Union Consultation Letter approx $250 – $500
US Embassy Consular Processing $190 +
Print & Postage $150
Total = $1,050 – $1,300 approx
Premium Processing: $2,500* (not necessary)
Attorney Fee: $8,000 approx
O1 US Artist Visa WARNING – ACTORS ONLY!
Actors need to be aware of the issues with the O visa. No other occupation is having these problems. US Film Studios; ABC, Sony, NBC Universal etc. do not accept the O visa. If you can go straight for the EB-1 Green Card, it might be…
24 Steps to apply for the US O1 Visa – Checklist
There are many parts to the O-1 Visa.
There is very little to do on the forms, your interview is less than 10 minutes, your US Custom Border Patrol entry interview is one minute tops. It’s the gathering of evidence, finding contracts and a sponsor, your responsibility, that can take a while.
It’s best to keep separate folders to organize your paperwork.
O1A Visa How To (2024)
The O1-A is an excellent alternative to the H-1B, E-2, E-3, B-1, P visas etc. If you are a working in your field then there is a good chance that you may qualify. The artist O1 visa basics are: 1. It is a non-immigrant visa allowing you come and go from the USA as you please. 2. A sponsor is required. You may only work for that sponsor. (More below and here)…
17 Must-Knows for Getting Your Artist O-1 Visa: 2024
If you are a working artist you could be eligible for the O-1 work visa. This is a priority visa and is processed fast by the USCIS (potentially within 15 days after submission.) The O1-B is further broken down into ARTS Visa and MPTV Visa (Motion Picture Television) (More Below!)