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United States · Work visa
O-1B Extraordinary Ability (Arts)
- Processing
- 2-4 months
- Cost
- From $1,860
- Validity
- Up to 3 years
For individuals with extraordinary achievement in the arts, motion picture, or television.
Requirements
- Distinction in the arts
- Evidence of being recognized as prominent in the field
- Coming to US for event, performance, or engagement
- A US employer or agent must file the petition; there is no O-1 self-petition
- Advisory opinion from peer group
Time and cost
- Processing time
- 2-4 months (Premium available)
- Validity
- Up to 3 years
- Cost
From $1,860
Required
- $1,055 Form I-129 petition (standard; small employer $530)
- $600 Asylum Program Fee (standard; small employer $300, nonprofit $0)
- $205 visa application fee
Optional
- $250 visa-integrity fee at issuance, if your post already charges it, as DHS is still rolling it out post by post ($250 is the statutory floor before annual inflation adjustments)
- $2,965 premium processing
Documents
Evidence of acclaim
Awards, reviews, recognition
Press coverage (if it applies)
Articles in major publications
Commercial success evidence (if it applies)
Box office, sales, ratings
Expert testimonial letters (if it applies)
Optional corroborating evidence from recognized figures
Your family
Status your spouse and unmarried children under 21 can hold alongside this route. Children can study on it too.
O-3 DependentSpouse cannot work
Your spouse cannot work in the US on O-3 status.
- Spouses who need to work usually seek their own H-1B, O-1 or student status
Tips
- Uses the “distinction” standard, which is lower than the O-1A “extraordinary ability” standard
- Common for musicians, actors, directors, artists
- Can bring O-2 essential support personnel