- Home
- Residence permits
- United States
- US O-1 Visa for Extraordinary Ability
US Talent Visa (O-1)
A work visa for people with outstanding professional achievements in science, business, tech, the arts, film and sports. No lottery and no annual caps.
The O-1 visa goes to people who can prove extraordinary ability and recognition in their field. The O-1A covers science, education, business and athletics; the O-1B covers the arts, film and television. Unlike many work visas, there is no lottery and no annual cap, and your degree is not the main factor. What decides the case is the evidence: awards, publications, media coverage, a high salary, a leading role in well-known projects and membership in professional associations.
The petition is filed by a US employer or agent, not by you. Once US immigration authorities approve it, you attend an interview at a consulate and receive the visa. We assess whether your achievements are strong enough, help gather and strengthen the evidence, prepare recommendation letters and the petition, and then get you ready for the interview.
Who it is for
- Tech professionals, founders and executives with notable projects
- Scientists and researchers with publications and citations
- Performers, musicians, directors, designers and photographers
- Athletes and coaches with international results
- Entrepreneurs who are known in their industry and covered in the media
Requirements
- Outstanding achievements, backed by documents, under several of the criteria set by US immigration authorities
- A US employer or agent to file the petition
- Work or projects in the US in your field
- An advisory opinion from a professional organization, where required
- Recommendation letters from recognized experts
- No grounds for being refused entry to the US
What we do
- Assess your achievements and chances before preparation starts
- Advise which evidence will strengthen your case and how to obtain it
- Help set up the arrangement with an employer or agent as petitioner
- Prepare recommendation letters, translations and the structure of the petition
- File the petition and answer requests for additional evidence
- Prepare you for the consular interview and arrange visas for your family
Key documents
- Passport
- Résumé and a description of your career
- Awards, diplomas, certificates and publications
- Articles and media mentions about you
- Proof of a high salary or fees
- Recommendation letters from experts
- Contract with a US employer or agent and a description of the projects
- Marriage and birth certificates for your family's visas
How it works
- Case assessmentwe review your achievements and choose the right category
- Evidencewe gather and strengthen documents, letters and publications
- Petitionfiled with US immigration authorities by the employer or agent
- Decisionusually several months, faster with premium processing
- Interview and visaapplication form, consular interview and the visa
Timeline
Preparing the evidence takes from several weeks to several months; the petition review usually takes several months, faster with premium processing.
Timelines are approximate: government agencies, consulates and banks set them.
What to watch out for
- Weak evidence is the main reason for requests for evidence and refusals
- Generic recommendation letters without specifics carry almost no weight
- Your work in the US must match the field of your achievements
- Even after the petition is approved, the consulate may run additional checks
- The interview location depends on your citizenship and residence, and some nationalities are assigned specific consulates
FAQ
How much does it cost?
Our service fee is from $18,000. Government fees, translations, insurance and other mandatory costs are paid separately; we send the full estimate before you sign.
Who qualifies for an O-1 visa?
People with recognized achievements: those who have won awards, published work, been covered by the media, held leading roles in well-known projects or earn well above the market. There is no formal degree requirement. What matters is documents that prove your level. We assess your case before any work starts.
Do I need a US employer?
Yes. The petition is filed by a US employer or an agent. An agent can represent you to several clients, which suits freelancers and performers. You cannot file the petition for yourself.
Can I bring my family?
Your spouse and children under 21 receive dependent visas. They cannot work on these visas, but they can study. You will need marriage and birth certificates with translations. We prepare their visa applications alongside yours.
How long does the process take?
Preparing the evidence usually takes from several weeks to several months. The petition review takes several months, or less with premium processing for an extra fee. Then comes the wait for an interview, which depends on the consulate.
Does the O-1 lead to a green card?
Not by itself: it is a temporary work visa that can be extended. But the evidence gathered for an O-1 often becomes the basis for a green card petition in the categories for people with extraordinary ability. We discuss this path in advance.
Where do I attend the visa interview?
Since September 2025, interviews for nonimmigrant visas take place in your country of citizenship or permanent residence. If you live permanently in another country and can prove it, you apply there. Citizens of Russia are assigned the US consulates in Astana and Warsaw, and citizens of Belarus those in Vilnius and Warsaw. We tell you where appointments are easier to get.
Do you guarantee the result?
No. Decisions are made by government agencies, consulates and banks. We are responsible for preparing and checking documents, filing and support, and we tell you about the risks upfront.
Related programs
Let’s discuss your case
We will check whether the program fits your citizenship, income and family, and send an estimate with the full list of costs.
