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US·O-1O-1A

O-1A visa: extraordinary ability in the sciences, education, business or athletics

O-1A is the O-1 category for extraordinary ability in the sciences, education, business or athletics, as USCIS words it. This page says in plain words who files, which criteria headings the regulation names and where the official page is.

Last checked

Talent Visa Journey is not an official service. This page is general information written from the official pages listed below. It does not say whether you qualify, and it does not estimate anyone’s chances. The official page is always the authority; read the current version before you rely on anything.

Who it is for

People with a US employer or agent who may file for them, working in a field the O-1A category covers. O-1 has no self-petition, so who files matters as much as the evidence.

The steps, in order
  1. Read the USCIS page for this category and note its exact wording.
  2. A US employer, a US agent, or a foreign employer through a US agent files the petition. You do not file it yourself.
  3. The petition rests on evidence set against the criteria headings below. USCIS decides whether the evidence is enough.
  4. An approved petition, a visa from a consulate, admission at the border and a change of status are separate steps.

O-1A — Extraordinary ability in sciences, education, business or athletics: the criteria headings
  • Criterion 1: Prizes or awards
  • Criterion 2: Membership in selective associations
  • Criterion 3: Published material about you
  • Criterion 4: Judging others' work
  • Criterion 5: Major original contributions
  • Criterion 6: Scholarly articles
  • Criterion 7: Critical role at a distinguished organization
  • Criterion 8: High salary

Published rule: at least 3 of the 8 headings, or a major, internationally recognized award. Source: 8 CFR 214.2(o)(3)(iii).

Headings only, as the regulation names them. Whether your evidence meets one is a judgement for USCIS, and for a lawyer or an adviser authorised to advise.

Official sources

Editorial status

Written by Talent Visa Journey from the official pages listed on this page, using route record version 2026-09-12.3. It has not been reviewed by a lawyer or a regulated immigration adviser.

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