HallieMaya

1 minute ago, KurosawaSan said:

We've literally explained this through the thread - you can do it on your own, through the employer. That said, you are much likely to avoid pitfalls if you have a lawyer for a non-DIY visa - O-1 is very hard to get.

Just looking for someone who has actually done this. Not to worry I've found some super helpful people in another forum. Thanks anyway!

2 hours ago, KurosawaSan said:

You really need to start with the USCIS site and not this forum:

https://www.uscis.gov/working-united-states/temporary-workers/o-1-individuals-extraordinary-ability-or-achievement/o-nonimmigrant-classifications-question-and-answers

 

You can't self-petition, and your employer has to satisfy a range of requirements before they are allowed to hire you. Since you mentioned that they are on the "smaller side", there is a good chance they might not be qualified to petition for you, especially if there are reservations on their side regarding cost of the process.

Absolutely. I have of course looked at this already. I don't think this forum is the right place to speak to people who have already been through the process. I have clarified already that I will not be doing the application myself. All I need to know is if it is even worthwhile my employer doing the necessary paperwork themselves OR if it really should be done by a lawyer to stand any chance of the visa being accepted first time.

6 minutes ago, Boiler said:

I would be surprised if your Employers Legal Dept would want to DIY, up to them, I would think you would want people on board who know what they are doing.

It would be lovely if they had a legal department! But sadly they are on the smaller side of things. I have sought outside council to ascertain the correct visa, this is all. I think the thing to remember is that I am not asking for answers on which visa I need, or pulling the company apart on their choices/lack of legal team. The question really surrounds the logistics of applying for a visa without the use of lawyers. Many thanks.

5 minutes ago, Boiler said:

Certainly helps to have an idea of the process as an employee, but that is what Legal do, most unusual for the Employee to know more than Legal on this matter, like any other issue is Legal are unfamiliar with the issues they will bring in resources who are.

 

Confused how you can come to any conclusion when none of the people involved seem to have any experience.

I have sought outside council on the process. Sadly these things are all expensive, so any possibility to keep the cost down will certainly help my employers decision to go forward with an application! 

Just now, KurosawaSan said:

O-1 is for exceptional ability. Do you have any proof that you are nationally and internationally recognized in the field in which you are planning to work in?

Yes all of this is being obtained as we speak. My question regards the legal side of things. Obviously costs would like to be kept down, do you have any experience with applying without using legal guidance? Is it completely worth avoiding even trying this option or is it perfectly feasible to apply without legal guidance?

Just now, KurosawaSan said:

You can't self-apply for a work visa. An employer has to sponsor you.

Absolutely not. However I am researching the possibilities as my employer has not applied for a visa before.

After speaking with legal, my employer, and understanding my own position within the company it has been established that this is the most appropriate visa. Of course the visa is absolutely dealt with by the employer, however I will need to tell them who to contact for recommendation letters etc therefore I will need to be involved to a certain extent. It might be best to rephrase to ask if anyone has any knowledge about filing the appropriate paperwork without legal assistance. 

I think the fees differ depending on how many employees they have in the company, for example it is cheaper to apply if the US company has less than 25 employees.

The visa application is dependent on costs, I might not be put forward to work in the US office if the cost is high this is why I was thinking of sorting it without legal help. Would this be a particularly terrible idea?

I am looking to be able to work in the US. My company has just opened an office here and I've been out for a few meetings on an ESTA from the UK. I am a business consultant specialising in international relocations and advising UK based companies abroad. As there will be a couple of companies I hope to work for in the US I have been advised to get an 01 visa. I believe the fees are around $2k however is it best to get legal help to process the paperwork? Obviously this cost is very high so any advice would be greatly appreciated!