If you are applying for the O-1 visa, you should know that it is a particular visa for individuals with “extraordinary abilities.” As you might already know, extraordinary is a strong word, and its usage in this context is certainly not exaggerated. Obtaining an O-1 visa is not easy, and our blog will help you understand why.
If you are looking to find work in the United States with the help of an O-1 visa, you can contact a Dallas work visa attorney for help.
What does it mean for an individual to have extraordinary abilities?
To obtain an O-1 visa, the individual must have extraordinary abilities in the fields of science, arts, business, education, or athletics. It means to have a certain level of expertise that is only achieved by a small percentage of the people in the field who rise to the very top.
To file a petition for this visa, you do not need to support your claim with the help of a job offer. Instead, they are required to show that they are seeking a visa to work in the USA and contribute to its benefits in the future.
How can one prove that they have extraordinary abilities?
Extraordinary abilities are not proved using your academic or work records, as a very large population can have excellent records in both of them. Instead, it requires something different entirely. As the name suggests, you are required to show that you are “extraordinary,” meaning that you are different and better than most people in your field.
One can demonstrate this with the help of the following:
- Sustained national or international acclaim.
Sustaining national or international acclaim means having your work recognized and praised nationally and internationally. You must provide evidence that your achievements have achieved major international awards such as a Nobel Prize, Grammy, Oscar, etc., or have other lesser-recognized awards.
- Continuing to work in the area of expertise.
You must demonstrate that you intend to work in your area of expertise once you get hold of the visa. While you may think this is a simple criterion, it can be complicated at times. For example, suppose you are an achiever in athletics. Naturally, you will be permitted to work in the USA as an athlete. However, if you wish to become a coach in that sport, that can cause problems.
- Entry to substantially benefit the United States.
You can only be permitted to work in the United States if you will substantially benefit the country in the future. However, there is no further information or laws that define what “substantially benefit” means.
The United States is one of the world’s top economies, and wanting to work there is many people’s dream. If it is yours too, a Dallas work visa attorney can help turn your dream into reality.
