How can I best prepare for an O-1 visa application?


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10 Answers
Raad Ahmed
As it applies to the limited facts that you give here, it looks like you do stand a chance. To qualify for an O-1, you will need to prove that you have extraordinary ability in business, science, art, education, or athletics and that you are coming to the US in furtherance of that ability. So you will have to prove a few things: that you have extraordinary ability in developing, that developing fits into one of these categories, and that you are coming to the US in furtherance of this.
So how can you prepare? First, you need proof of your ability. You should start by gathering anything that you can find that will show your extraordinary ability. Things like the publications and your profile will help. Evidence of your high salary/day rate can be used to prove that you have extraordinary ability. If you could get the letters of recommendation, that would help too. Basically, any evidence that can point toward extraordinary ability will help you and the more you have, the more extraordinary you seem.
While your evidence will likely show that you possess an extraordinarily ability, I think you may face a problem trying to fit web development into one of the categories. You could try to fit it into business or arts but I’m not sure it would qualify. The purpose of the O-1 is to allow a limited number of world class individuals to temporarily come into the US in furtherance of their skills. So, the requirements are stringent and only a few, narrow categories are allowed.
That doesn’t mean that there are no other options available to you. I know you said that a US company told you that an 0-1 might be your best route, but I would suggest that you talk to an immigration attorney who can really advise you on what your best route is. If you want to talk with an experienced immigration attorney about your options or if you just have more questions, you should check out LawTrades where we will match you with a top attorney for a free consultation.
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Craig Montuori
Get a lawyer, which I'm not.

In particular get a great lawyer with an awesome O-1 track record. Like this guy: The Wright Law Firm Having an experienced lawyer with big successes is a huge driver of your personal success when putting an application together. The bureaucratic process is fair but increasingly non-deterministic based on the inputs you provide.

O-1s, rule of thumb is that you need 3-6 months to prepare a supplemental press package, coverage of how awesome you are to boost your chances.

Wilka Toppins
O-1 visa is a type of non-immigrant visa and is only issued to people who have some exceptional abilities in education, science, athletics and business. An O-1 visa applicant has to giver certain evidences for the same. Specifically, the O-1 visa for the aliens with exceptional abilities comes under the category of O-1A visa.
To prepare or qualify for the O-1 visa, you as an applicant should demonstrate extraordinary achievement by a proof of degree of the skills. After which, you have to process an application for the visa. You have to file a form I-129 at least 45 days prior to the employment date.
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Sanjay Patel
Definitely contact a lawyer to help you with your case. Short of receiving a nationally recognized award in your field, you’ll have to meet at least 3 of the following qualifications to obtain an O-1A visa (find more info here)
  1. Receipt of nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence in the field of endeavor.
  2. Membership in associations in the field for which classification is sought which require outstanding achievements, as judged by recognized national or international experts in the field.
  3. Published material in professional or major trade publications, newspapers or other major media about the beneficiary and the beneficiary's work in the field for which classification is sought.
  4. Original scientific, scholarly, or business-related contributions of major significance in the field.
  5. Authorship of scholarly articles in professional journals or other major media in the field for which classification is sought.
  6. A high salary or other remuneration for services as evidenced by contracts or other reliable evidence.
  7. Participation on a panel, or individually, as a judge of the work of others in the same or in a field of specialization allied to that field for which classification is sought.
  8. Employment in a critical or essential capacity for organizations and establishments that have a distinguished reputation.
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Carl Shusterman
The O-1A visa is for people who are recognized as being at the very top of their field and who are coming to the United States to continue work in that field.  To establish eligibility for an O-1A visa you must either have received a major, internationally recognized award, similar to a Nobel Prize, or submit evidence that affirmatively answers at least 3 of the 8 questions below:
  • Have you received a lesser nationally or internationally recognized prize or award for excellence in the field of endeavor?
  • Are you a member of any associations which require outstanding achievements of their members as judged by recognized national or international experts?
  • Is there published material in professional or major trade publications or major media about you which relates to your work in the field?
  • Have you participated on a panel or individually as a judge of the work of others in the same or in an allied field of specialization?
  • Have you made original scientific, scholarly or business-related contributions of major significance?
  • Have you authored scholarly articles in professional journals or other major media?
  • Have you been employed in a critical or essential capacity for organizations and establishments that have a distinguished reputation?
  • Have you or will you command a high salary or other remuneration for your services?
For additional information about O-1 visas, please see 

Ayda Akalin
The most helpful item to prepare and present to your sponsor's counsel is a detailed CV/resume that lists your education, work history, area of expertise and and then lists any other accomplishments, awards, press, publications roughly in the order of the O-1 criteria.  In addition to that, you might want to prepare a 1 -2 paragraph summary of your work, expertise and accomplishments (similar to the one you prepared in the subline of this question).

Next, compile a list of people who would be willing to write reference letters for you and describe each person's area of expertise and how it is relevant.  Remember, the O-1 is document intensive and requires a lot of evidence, so the more organized you are the better.  Upon reviewing these items, counsel should be able to tell you whether or not you qualify.

Finally, if counsel does not think you qualify for the O-1, they will typically advise you on alternate visa options or a help you prepare strategy for qualifying in the future.
Vishwajit Nerkar
To qualify for an O-1, you will need to prove that you have extraordinary ability in business, science, art, education, or athletics and that you are coming to the US in furtherance of that ability.
Visa Application process is quite simple, for more details on Visa application process you can refer to VisaFolder - a simple and easy way to explore visas.
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