4 Facts To Know About the O-1A Visa
4 Facts To Know About the O-1A Visa
Immigration and visas are complex topics that can be intimidating to navigate. The process of obtaining a visa can be long and difficult, but at Zohar Law, we are here to help you understand the rules and regulations you need. If you are interested in obtaining an O-1 Visa, continue reading to learn about the O-1A visa to see if it is the right fit for you. For further assistance, contact our immigration law office and schedule a free 15-minute consultation to get started.
What The O-1A Visa Is
O-1 visas are specialized visas for performers, or those with extraordinary abilities, that allow people to temporarily live in America while they work on their specified jobs. The O-1A visa is a subcategory of those visas, which is reserved for those in athletics, science, education, and business.
Who Is Eligible
While the O-1A visa does not include the film industry or the arts, anyone who is an expert in the fields mentioned above are eligible to apply. Your expertise must be demonstrated through a beneficiary, or through sustaining national or international acclaim.
Period of Stay
The period of stay with an O-1A visa can be up to three years, with the ability to extend the stay by a year if necessary. O-1A visas also allow ten days before and after your stay to remain in America, although you are not allowed to work during either of those 10-day periods.
What Spouses/Families Can Do
If your spouse and/or children under the age of 21 will be joining you in America, they are eligible to apply for an O-3 nonimmigrant visa. The O-3 will allow them the same period of admission and limitations as you. This is not a working visa, but they may study full-time or part-time with this visa classification.
If you are interested in applying for an O-1 visa, our team at Zohar Law in NYC can help. You can rely on our legal team here to assist you through every step of the application process. Contact us for more information!