O-1 Status is a nonimmigrant status category for
aliens of extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts (including
the television and motion picture industry), education, business,
or athletics. This is an employment related status that allows
qualified aliens to live and work in the United States.
O-1 Status is distinguished from other employment related statuses
in that it applies to more types of work than other areas. For
instance H-1B status is limited to professionals and cannot apply
to athletes or entertainers as can O-1 status. Also, O-1 status
could be obtained by those in H-1B status who have exhausted the
full authorized stay.
Another important aspect of O-1 status is that it is a viable
status to seek for aliens subject to the two-year foreign residency
requirement of the J-1 exchange visitor program. Many persons
who hold or have held J-1 or J-2 status are not permitted to obtain
H or L visa status until they and/or the primary J-1 status holder
has spent two years in his/her home country after the expiration
of the J-1 status or a waiver of the two-year residency requirement
is obtained. These individuals may obtain O status without fulfilling
the two-year residency requirement or getting a waiver of the
requirement. In such cases however, the alien may not change status
to O-1 in the United States, but must obtain an O-1 visa either
in the home country or a third county.
For more information on the O-1 category, please
click one of the following links:
Description
Procedure for obtaining O-1 Status
Requirements for obtaining
an O-1 Status
Obtaining an O-1 visa
Dependents of O-1 visa holders
Duration and extension of O-1 Status
Change to other status from O
Status
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