Compared to other visa categories, the O-1 category provides a number of advantages, but it also has specific restrictions.
Length of validity
Your stay in the US will be legal for a maximum of three years if you have an O-1 visa. But if you can convince the USCIS that the extensions are necessary for you to complete your work in the country, you can request an unlimited extension of this.
Dual intent
The USCIS permits O-1 visa holders to apply for a Green Card in order to bypass the extensions and settle permanently in the country, giving rise to the “dual intent” benefit of the visa.
For other types of visas, the USCIS denies requests that demonstrate the applicant’s desire to live permanently in the country. The USCIS typically asks applicants for other visas to provide proof that they have a stable residence in their native country and do not have any immediate plans to depart. There is no such criterion for the O-1 visa application process.
Bringing support and family
Stars in the movies and Olympians both require support teams. O-1 visa holders are allowed to stay in the United States with their immediate family and support staff for the duration of their stay. These people must apply for the O-2 and O-3 visas, which will be covered in more detail in a later section of the essay.
Process speed of the application
Compared to other visa categories, the O-1 visa application process is quite quick. Depending on where you file your application, regular processing can be completed in as little as two months. In some cases, applying for a visa can take over a year.
The number of applicants each year
Since there aren’t many O-1 visa applications compared to other visas, the USCIS has no restrictions on the amount of O-1 visas they can grant each year. However, the number has been increasing over time. In contrast to the 8589 O-1 visas issued in the fiscal year 2010, the USCIS issued 13,865 O-1 visas in the 2015 fiscal year.
O-1 visas are particularly favorable because, depending on which service center received the application, their approval rates range from 80 to 95 percent.
Employer requirement
A fundamental prerequisite for obtaining an O-1 visa is having a U.S. employer to work for and who will handle your case. Without the sponsorship of a U.S. business, the USCIS will not process an application from a foreign applicant.
Competency requirements
Although the O-1 visa provides several advantages over other types, it also has very strict eligibility requirements. Only a limited portion of people are eligible for an O-1 visa.