O-1 Extraordinary Ability Lawyer and P-1 Athlete and Entertainment Group Visas

Some talent simply does not fit a standard visa. For scientists, founders, artists, athletes and performers at the top of their fields, the O-1 and P-1 visas offer a path. An O-1 extraordinary ability lawyer helps you turn your achievements into evidence USCIS will accept.

Fortunately, these visas have no lottery. However, the evidence standard is demanding. Therefore, the way you present awards, press, publications and recommendation letters often decides the case.

This guide explains O-1A, O-1B and P-1 requirements, how to build the evidence and how these visas connect to green card options.

O-1A: sciences, business, education and athletics

O-1A applicants must show sustained national or international acclaim. For example, one way is a major internationally recognized award. Otherwise, applicants usually meet at least three of eight regulatory criteria.

In particular, these criteria include nationally or internationally recognized awards, membership in associations requiring outstanding achievement, published material about you, judging others' work, original contributions of major significance, scholarly articles, employment in a critical role for distinguished organizations, and high salary.

Quality over quantity

Meeting three criteria is not the end. Instead, USCIS then weighs all the evidence together. Consequently, strong, well-explained evidence beats a long list of weak items. An O-1 consultation maps your evidence against the criteria.

O-1B: arts, film and television

Meanwhile, O-1B covers artists and entertainers. In the arts, the standard is "distinction", meaning a high level of achievement and recognition. By contrast, film and television applicants face a higher standard of extraordinary achievement.

For instance, evidence often includes lead roles, critical reviews, commercial success and recognition from experts. Moreover, O-1 petitions usually need an advisory opinion from a relevant peer group, union or expert. Foreign-language reviews need certified translations.

P-1 visas for athletes and entertainment groups

Similarly, P-1 visas suit internationally recognized athletes and teams, and entertainment groups. For entertainment groups, the group generally must be internationally recognized, and most members must have been with the group for at least a year.

However, P-1 is tied to specific events or competitions. As a result, the itinerary and contracts matter. For individual stars, therefore, the O-1 may offer more flexibility. A 60-minute immigration consultation helps you compare.

RFEs, refusals and the green card path

RFEs are common in O-1 cases. Typically, they question whether evidence is truly national or international. So answer with context: explain each publication's reach, each award's selectivity and each role's importance. Our RFE response service prepares those replies.

If a visa was refused at a consulate, a visa refusal review explains the next step. Later, for permanent residence, the EB-1A category uses similar evidence. An EB-1 consultation reviews whether you qualify. See also our guide to EB-2 NIW and other green card paths.

Our O-1 & P-1 Visas services in the USA

Every service below has a fixed price, is prepared by a qualified attorney and is delivered online — wherever you are in the USA. Additionally, you can upload evidence, message your attorney and track progress from your secure client dashboard.

O-1 & P-1 Visas services near you — every state we cover

Because everything is handled online, it makes no difference where you live. Nevertheless, the law does change from state to state, so every document is prepared for your local rules. Here are some of the places our clients come from most often.

O-1 & P-1 Visas help in California

We prepare o-1 & p-1 visas documents for California law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Los Angeles (near the Stanley Mosk Courthouse downtown), San Diego (near the Hall of Justice on West Broadway), San Francisco (near the Civic Center courthouse on McAllister Street). For example, see O-1 consultation in Los Angeles, O-1 consultation in San Diego, O-1 consultation in San Francisco. Similarly, see EB-1 consultation in California.

O-1 & P-1 Visas help in Texas

We prepare o-1 & p-1 visas documents for Texas law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Houston (near the Harris County Civil Courthouse), Dallas (near the George L. Allen Sr. Courts Building), San Antonio (near the Bexar County Courthouse), Austin (near the Travis County Civil and Family Courts Facility). For example, see O-1 consultation in Houston, O-1 consultation in Dallas, O-1 consultation in San Antonio, O-1 consultation in Austin. Similarly, see EB-1 consultation in Texas.

O-1 & P-1 Visas help in Florida

We prepare o-1 & p-1 visas documents for Florida law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Miami (near the Miami-Dade County Courthouse on West Flagler Street), Orlando (near the Orange County Courthouse), Tampa (near the George E. Edgecomb Courthouse). For example, see O-1 consultation in Miami, O-1 consultation in Orlando, O-1 consultation in Tampa. Similarly, see EB-1 consultation in Florida.

O-1 & P-1 Visas help in New York

We prepare o-1 & p-1 visas documents for New York law and local court practice. Clients come to us from New York City (near the New York County Courthouse at 60 Centre Street and the immigration court at 26 Federal Plaza), Brooklyn (near the Kings County Supreme Court on Adams Street). For example, see O-1 consultation in New York City, O-1 consultation in Brooklyn. Similarly, see EB-1 consultation in New York.

O-1 & P-1 Visas help in Illinois

We prepare o-1 & p-1 visas documents for Illinois law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Chicago (near the Richard J. Daley Center). For example, see O-1 consultation in Chicago. Similarly, see EB-1 consultation in Illinois.

O-1 & P-1 Visas help in Georgia

We prepare o-1 & p-1 visas documents for Georgia law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Atlanta (near the Fulton County Courthouse). For example, see O-1 consultation in Atlanta. Similarly, see EB-1 consultation in Georgia.

O-1 & P-1 Visas help in Arizona

We prepare o-1 & p-1 visas documents for Arizona law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Phoenix (near the Maricopa County Superior Court). For example, see O-1 consultation in Phoenix. Similarly, see EB-1 consultation in Arizona.

O-1 & P-1 Visas help in Pennsylvania

We prepare o-1 & p-1 visas documents for Pennsylvania law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Philadelphia (near City Hall, home of the Court of Common Pleas). For example, see O-1 consultation in Philadelphia. Similarly, see EB-1 consultation in Pennsylvania.

O-1 & P-1 Visas help in Washington

We prepare o-1 & p-1 visas documents for Washington law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Seattle (near the King County Courthouse). For example, see O-1 consultation in Seattle. Similarly, see EB-1 consultation in Washington.

O-1 & P-1 Visas help in Colorado

We prepare o-1 & p-1 visas documents for Colorado law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Denver (near the Denver City and County Building). For example, see O-1 consultation in Denver. Similarly, see EB-1 consultation in Colorado.

O-1 & P-1 Visas help in Massachusetts

We prepare o-1 & p-1 visas documents for Massachusetts law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Boston (near the Edward W. Brooke Courthouse). For example, see O-1 consultation in Boston. Similarly, see EB-1 consultation in Massachusetts.

O-1 & P-1 Visas help in Nevada

We prepare o-1 & p-1 visas documents for Nevada law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Las Vegas (near the Regional Justice Center). For example, see O-1 consultation in Las Vegas. Similarly, see EB-1 consultation in Nevada.

O-1 & P-1 Visas help in New Jersey

We prepare o-1 & p-1 visas documents for New Jersey law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Newark (near the Essex County Hall of Records). For example, see O-1 consultation in Newark. Similarly, see EB-1 consultation in New Jersey.

O-1 & P-1 Visas help in North Carolina

We prepare o-1 & p-1 visas documents for North Carolina law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Charlotte (near the Mecklenburg County Courthouse). For example, see O-1 consultation in Charlotte. Similarly, see EB-1 consultation in North Carolina.

We also help clients in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming. See every location we cover.

O-1 consultation in every state

Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · District of Columbia · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming

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This guide is general information, not legal advice for your situation. Every case is different — speak to a qualified attorney before you act.