Visa O1

[PSEOANE84 1]

Hello, 

 

My name is Pablo Seoane, from Lima, Peru. I'm interested in the Visa O1, I've checked with a lawyer and I fulfill the requirements. would be very helpfull if someone can share their experiences during the process.

 

Thanks in advance

[Boiler 43,436]

Best to consult with the lawyer handling your EB2

[TBoneTX 43,058]

Thread is moved from Off Topic to the Work Visas forum.

[appleblossom 1,304]

I have one - happy to help if I can. 
 

It’s a lot of paperwork and time to build a good case, but if you’ve already applied for EB2 you may have some of that done. You need a good lawyer, so use your current one if you rate him/her, and get a new one if not. It took us months to compile everything but that time was worth it. From application to getting my passport back with visa in was 3 weeks so super quick and speedy once we’d done all the legwork and presented a compelling case (London consulate, with PP). 

 

Any questions let me know, good luck. 

Edited May 19, 2023 by appleblossom

[PSEOANE84 1]

Thanks @appleblossom. I havent applied for the EB2 yet, Im still on investigation mode and having meetings with lawyers, so during this interviews I found out abour this type of visa. Can you share with me what type of documentation you had to file? I  undertand an applicant must meet certain requirements for this "exceptional abilities visa": publications, awards, member of a jury, etc, right?

 

I've already got my certificates and grades from collegue and MBA, english certificate, birth certificate, links with webinars and publications done by me. Probably I will need some letters of recommendation? What else should I be looking for while I pick the lawyer who will provide the service.

 

Cheers

[appleblossom 1,304]

14 hours ago, PSEOANE84 said:

Thanks @appleblossom. I havent applied for the EB2 yet, Im still on investigation mode and having meetings with lawyers, so during this interviews I found out abour this type of visa. Can you share with me what type of documentation you had to file? I  undertand an applicant must meet certain requirements for this "exceptional abilities visa": publications, awards, member of a jury, etc, right?

 

I've already got my certificates and grades from collegue and MBA, english certificate, birth certificate, links with webinars and publications done by me. Probably I will need some letters of recommendation? What else should I be looking for while I pick the lawyer who will provide the service.

 

Cheers

It's a lot of documentation, you don't need things like birth cert for the I-140 app (that will come later if your petition is approved). What you submit will depend on which of the 10 criteria you're applying under - our lawyers said make sure you meet at least 5 of the 10 in case they don't agree you meet one of them (you need 3 or more to qualify). I met 7 and had to provide a lot of evidence to show each of those, the paperwork was a huge pile in the end!

 

So for me it was high salary (payslips, job contract and evidence of the local salary in the US and how it is higher), media engagements (proof of appearances, screenshots etc), evidence of being asked to speak at globally important conferences, proof of publications (book and chapters/forewords for other books), evidence of awards I've received, evidence of executive leadership in organisations, proof of membership of association which is by invite only for my field, and published material about me. There were other categories I didn't meet - judging work of others (have never been on an awards panel), artistic showcases, and commercial success in the performing arts.

 

I then also had to include other things including 3 (very lengthy) reference letters from people very high up in my field, and at least one of those had to be in the US (two of mine were, and one in the UK). Plus a case from my lawyers about my eligibility which ran to 12 pages.

 

Our lawyers said was the first thing they look at is are you Googleable, and if so, is there lots about you - it's one of the first things USCIS do apparently! So Google your own name and see what comes up. And are you international rather than national? If you want the name of our lawyer or any other info just let me know. 

 

We've now had both the O1 and EB1 approved, similar criteria for both, so we submitted the EB1 the day after the O1 was approved just to make sure we didn't get the O1 refused or get an RFE. EB1 was applied for in February and should have immigrant visas in hand by the end of July so incredibly quick - once you get an O1 granted then hopefully the EB1 will follow quickly if you do want to go down the 'green card' route.

 

Best of luck.

Edited May 20, 2023 by appleblossom

[PSEOANE84 1]

Thanks @appleblossom

 

Really appreciate taking the time sharing your experience and for being so especific. I will let you know if I have any question. Wish you a great day.

 

Cheers

[appleblossom 1,304]

3 hours ago, PSEOANE84 said:

Thanks @appleblossom

 

Really appreciate taking the time sharing your experience and for being so especific. I will let you know if I have any question. Wish you a great day.

 

Cheers

No problem. My one question for the lawyer would be why they're suggesting EB2 for you if they think you're eligible for O1? EB1 is pretty much exactly the same criteria, so seems odd to me that they'd suggest EB2 instead. But that's just something to ask them, I'm sure there's a reason. 

 

If you get yourself a good lawyer, then hopefully it will all be good. Best of luck to you. 

[PSEOANE84 1]

The O1 was suggested by a different lawyer. I first approached a firm that only works with EB2.

 

Thanks