Applicant Requirements

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- Professional Recognition
 

Demonstrate nationally or internationally recognized achievements by meeting at least 3 qualifying criteria relevant to your professional field.

 
-Participation in Significant Projects, Events, or Exhibitions
 

Provide evidence of participation in important projects, exhibitions, performances, productions, competitions, or industry events, with emphasis on their professional significance and reputation.

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-Leading or Critical Role
 

Submit evidence confirming your leading, essential, or critical role within a distinguished organization, company, production, or project. A distinguished organization may include an internationally recognized company, major institution, or your own successfully established business.

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-Media Recognition
 

This criterion emphasizes the importance of demonstrating public and professional recognition through publications, interviews, articles, reviews, or media coverage in respected professional journals, major trade publications, or widely recognized media outlets and other established industry sources.

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-High Remuneration
 

Provide evidence showing that you have received a high salary or other substantial compensation compared to professionals working in the same industry and country. Supporting evidence may include contracts, payroll records, bonuses, royalties, endorsement agreements, or equity compensation.

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-Commercial or Professional Success
 

Demonstrate the commercial or professional success of your work through awards, rankings, box office revenue, television ratings, streaming statistics, album sales, audience reach, industry recognition, or other measurable indicators of success relevant to your field.

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- Letters of Recommendation
 

Provide 7–10 recommendation letters from recognized experts, executives, producers, professors, industry leaders, or other established professionals familiar with your achievements and contributions in the field.

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Processing times: 

4–6 months (standard processing time);

15–30 days (expedited processing, subject to payment of an additional government fee)

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Eligibility for a Green Card in the Future 

It is possible to obtain a Green Card through the EB-1A category. To do so, the applicant must demonstrate additional recognition of their exceptional ability while in the United States. The level of achievement must meet the requirements for the EB-1A visa.

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Which visa must my accompanying personnel apply for?

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If an artist or athlete holds an O-1 visa, an O-2 visa may be issued for accompanying personnel if the accompanying person is indispensable to the O-1 visa holder's venture.
Whether someone is indispensable depends on the visa holder's occupation, the O-2 applicant's skills and/or knowledge and cooperation prior to submitting the application.

If the O-1 visa holder works in the fields of science, business, education/training, an O-2 visa cannot be issued.

What applies to family members?
 

Spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21 may accompany persons traveling to the U.S. on an O-1 or O-2 visa. However, they are not permitted to work. They will receive a U.S. visa in the O-3 category.
 

Children with O-3 status may attend school in the U.S. (public or private) as normal. Spouses with O-3 status may enroll in college or university (full-time or part-time) without further ado. No additional permission is required for school or college. A subsequent change of status (e.g. to an F-1 student visa or a work visa) is possible, provided that the requirements are met.

O visa or P visa - What is the difference?

While the O visa is usually suitable for individuals (possibly together with accompanying support personnel) who would like to perform in the USA or work in a company, the P visa is more suitable for groups of artists or athletes (sports team, string quartet, etc.) who would like to perform in the USA.

Additionally, for athletes who would like to compete in the USA and receive not only prize money but also other compensation from a U.S. source, the P visa is the more appropriate visa category.

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