alt Hacker NewsWhat sort of people get O-1 visas? I assume it is people with multiple degrees and have decades of experience in a specific field?
I am good at what I do, have done public speaking at major conferences on what I do but no degree and so assume that i've no chance of ever getting into the USA. Currently a UK citizen living in Ireland.
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It's open to things like sport and entertainment, so definitely not everyone has many (or any) degrees. Assuming your field is somewhat science based I don't know how realistic it would be with no degree, but you can search some blogs about it, people have covered what they did to rack up publications and stuff to check all the boxes (if their work/field wouldn't have otherwise needed them).
If you are starting your own business, the treaty investor visa could also be a good route. It doesn't require as much investment as the investor green card; it is a nonimmigrant visa similar to the O-1.
There's a list of qualifying criteria on the USCIS website. You have to satisfy at least three out of the eight or so.
The issue is it's a bit subjective, a lawyer writes down how you qualify and some random government employee has to believe what the lawyer wrote.
If you receive a RFE or rejection, all your dealings with USCIS will face extra scrutiny in future. So it's a bit of a gamble.
My dance instructor, who has won an international championship, is here on an O-1B. However, his 3 year initial eligibility is coming due, and the processing times for the 1-year extension is looking like it's going to take longer than 1-year! According to Wikipedia, Justin Beiber is here on an O visa, I wonder how his gets processed.
It's beyond a joke. Recently spent some time at an accelerator and the partners of the VC firm were very open about purchasing "fake" research or presenting investments as if they were from more than one "investor".
I still fail to understand how Dwarkesh Patel managed to "self-sponsor" an O-1 with a... tech podcast...
The O-1 is a high standard but it's less about overall achievement or standing (like the EB1A green card category) and more about meeting specific criteria, which many talented professionals and founders do. I would recommend reviewing the O-1 criteria (they're listed on USCIS's website, www.uscis.gov) and then having an immigration attorney evaluate your background. People are often surprised that they meet the O-1 criteria or with a bit of work will qualify.