Innovative Immigration Law: Navigating Exceptional Talent To New Opportunities

O-1 Visas are reserved for foreign nationals with extraordinary ability in the arts, athletics, sciences, education, and business.

• Recipient of lesser awards or prizes for excellence in the field recognized either nationally or internationally.   
• Evidence or proof that you are a member in associations in your field that require their members to possess outstanding achievements judged by recognized experts.
• Proof or evidence that the applicant has authored scholarly articles in the field which are featured in a major media or professional journal.
• Proof of publication about the applicant’s work either in a professional or major trade publication or major media.
• Proof or evidence of participation as the judge, individually or on a panel, of the work of others in the field.
• Proof or evidence of confirmation of the other applicant’s original athletic, coaching, or scholarly contributions which have major significance to the field in the form of affidavits and five (5) or six (6) letters from prominent colleagues. As per Regulation, the applicant’s outstanding qualification must be attested by a “peer group.” This requirement is proven by letters of recommendation in which the standing in the field of the referees are outlined by their own.  
• Proof or evidence of employment in a critical or essential capacity for reputable establishments or organizations.

P-1A visas are for individual athletes who have international recognition and are coming to the United States solely to compete. 

Eligibility Criteria

• Evidence that you (or your team) have previous participation in a major U.S. team or league.
• Evidence that you (or your team) have previous participation in a national team for an international competition.
• Evidence that you (or your team) have previous participation with a U.S. college or university in an intercollegiate competition.
• A detailed written statement from an official of a major U.S. sports league or team regarding your international recognition, individually or as a team.
• A detailed written statement from a sports media official or a recognized expert in your sport regarding your international recognition, individually or as a team.
•  Evidence or proof of having received international rankings, if any;
• Evidence or proof that you are a recipient of a significant honor or award in your sport.

P-1B visas are for entertainment groups that have international recognition and are coming to the United States to participate in engagements in the United States

Eligibility Criteria

• The entertainer or group has possessed major success in ratings, records, videos sales, or box offices sales.
• The entertainer or group has achievements which are featured in trade journals or major newspapers.
• The entertainer or group are recognized by government agencies, critics or other field experts who can attest to the achievements of the entertainer or group.
• The entertainer or group are highly compensated or receive high salary from the activities that they perform.