O Visas

O Visa and Immigration Lawyers

From our Chicago, Illinois office, The Shapiro Law Group utilizes over 30 years of immigration law experience in O visa matters for clients across the globe. We strive to help clients meet the qualifications to secure the proper visa for their specific situation. Contact a lawyer at our office today to learn more about how we handle O visa cases.

O-1 Visa

The O-1 Visa may be used to sponsor a person who has extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics, demonstrated by sustained national or international recognition. This is a specific type of employment visa, initially granted for up to a three year stay in the U.S. After the three year period has expired, the visa may be renewed on a temporary basis once a year for a one year period.

Qualifying Factors for an O-1 Visa

In order to qualify for O-1 classification, individuals of extraordinary ability in the sciences, education, business, or athletics must demonstrate sustained national or international commendation and acknowledgment for accomplishments in the field of expertise.

To aid in securing the O visa on behalf of the outstanding individual, there must be evidence of the receipt of a major, internationally recognized award (such as a Nobel Prize) or a minimum of three of the following forms of documentation:

• Documentation of the individual's receipt of nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence
• Evidence of the individual's original scientific, scholarly, or business-related contributions of major significance
• Documentation of the individual's membership in associations in the field for which classification is sought, which require outstanding achievements of their members, as judged by recognized national or international experts in their disciplines or fields
• Evidence of the individual's participation on a panel, or individually, as a judge of the work of others in the same or in an allied field of specialization to that for which classification is sought
• Evidence that the individual has been employed in a critical or essential capacity for organizations and establishments that have a distinguished reputation
• Published material in professional or major publications or major media about the individual, relating to the individual's work in the field for which classification is sought, which shall include the title, date, and author of such published material, and any necessary translation
• Evidence of the individual's authorship of scholarly articles in the field of expertise, in professional journals, or other major media

Other Types of O Visas

There are other types of O visas that are available. Below are brief descriptions of these types of visas.

O-2: Individuals seeking to obtain an O-1 visa frequently have assistants or other support personnel that must accompany them on their travels throughout the world. This support personnel may enter the U.S. on an O-2 visa in order to continue providing support services to the outstanding individual.

O-3: Spouses and dependent children of individuals seeking O-1 visa status are not eligible for O-1 visas, since they do not possess the qualifying characteristics required to secure an O-1 visa. Instead, they are usually able to enter the United States on an O-3 visa, accompanying or joining the O-1 visa holder.

Contact an O Visa Immigration Attorney

Our lawyers and staff at The Shapiro Law Group are confident in our ability to assist you in seeking the O visa that you require.Contact us online or call us at (847) 564-0712. We will return your phone call or contact as soon as possible and arrange a consultation when it best suits your schedule.