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Visa O: a red carpet to the United States?

The Visa O is one of the different types of “pass” to travel to the United States of America. There are several, which do not have the same usefulness depending on the reason for the trip. A person who is applying for a tourist visa will not be able to study or work on site. To do this, you must apply under certain conditions to obtain it. With regard to the O Visa, you must meet several conditions and criteria to be eligible. Some even call it a red carpet to the American dream.

The Visa O, an entrance ticket reserved for the elite

The Visa O is different from other visas. Indeed, it concerns only a handful of people described as exceptional. They are experts in their field of activity, very high-level athletes, artists, actors or businessmen, among others… But these people with unique skills can also represent the scientific, artistic, educational, businessenvironment.

In general, the O Visa is temporary, but renewable. It does not directly allow its holder to obtain the Green Card, the sesame to be a permanent resident on American soil… But it allows you to stay for an indefinite period on site. Indeed, the initial visa is issued for a period of up to 3 years. Thereafter, it is renewable at will in increments of one year. There are many official websites to learn more about the O visa.

To obtain the Visa O… Extraordinary skills are needed. – Florida Invest

The O1A and O1B Visas are intended for people who have achieved exceptional things, in the circles mentioned above, or in the film or television industry. These individuals are recognized nationally or internationally, and have received distinctions such as an award. This official recognition makes it possible to justify a claim to the O1A Visa.

A person who receives such a visa may come with his or her spouse and children under the age of 21. The latter receive an O-3 visa, which allows them to live there, to study. On the other hand, they do not have the right to accept a job, prohibited by their visa.

On the other hand, sports teams are not eligible for this type of visa. A P visa, close to the O visa, is intended exclusively for high-level athletes who travel to the United States as part of a sports competition. This visa does not allow you to work, it is particularly supervised.

Visa O, highly regulated access

Getting an O Visa is not done as an ESTA application to travel to the United States. A person who wishes to leave with this visa cannot apply directly. Indeed, it must meet a series of precise criteria in order for its application to be examined. Its status is linked to employment first and foremost. To obtain this visa, the candidate must then submit a job offer associated with his field of expertise considered exceptional.

For example, to obtain an O1A visa, the candidate must present a letter of recommendation, written by an expert in the field. A certificate of competence issued by experts also works. If major books and media report on the applicant’s achievements, this proves that his profile is credible, and that he has the knowledge that makes his profile exceptional.

Finally, distinctions such as awards are even more official awards and prove that the profile is among the best in his country or in the world. A proof that justifies access to the prestigious visa O. Excellence in a specific field, an added value for companies in the United States that recruit new talent.

People who apply for an O visa rarely travel alone, especially when it comes to an actor. Also, professional assistants who accompany the holder of an O visa to the U.S. territory automatically receive an O-2 Visa.

These visas do not directly allow you to receive the Green Card. On the other hand, a person who holds an O1A or O1B visa can apply to change visas and obtain an EB1. This visa allows people who have in-demand skills to work in the United States. It is only issued if a company sponsors the candidate.

An expensive approach, which requires support

Getting to the United States to work is a goal for many workers or companies in other countries around the world. This is a process that sometimes proves to be complex, because there are many visas. The Visa O is only reserved for a few people, but the others are more open. However, the procedures are not free… Nor is the candidate guaranteed to receive the visa for which he was applying.

Also, to build a solid file, with all the necessary documents to be accepted, a candidate for one of the visas has every interest in calling on a lawyer specialized in U.S. immigration. To obtain certain visas, the presence of an immigration lawyer is even mandatory.

Some steps take several months. Indeed, some visas are subject to precise quotas for each country. The U.S. immigration authorities therefore scrutinized all applications, and rule out those that are incomplete or do not meet the criteria. In France, and in Bordeaux, there are many events that present the different existing visas, from the O visa to the H1B visa through the B visa.

It is therefore necessary to be patient and rigorous to see his file accepted, and to be able to take the road to the United States in all serenity. At the moment, the situation is not ideal for going to work in the United States. Indeed, with the pandemic, immigration is temporarily suspended. However, the country presents interesting opportunities, whether you are a person with exceptional skills or not! Do not hesitate to call on immigration professionals to have all the necessary information before leaving.

The Holy Grail, obtaining the Green Card

For all French and foreigners who want to settle permanently on American territory, the Green Card is the passport to obtain permanent residence. This document cannot be obtained as simply as a traditional visa, any candidate for the green card must meet certain criteria. Every year, around the world, the United States gives 55,000 green cards. A precious sesame that allows its holder to work, study, move, and also the right to enter and leave the American territory freely. No need in this case to apply for a visa or an ESTA, documents required to travel to the United States.

However, this document does not grant the right to vote, as the green card holder is only a U.S. resident, but does not receive U.S. citizenship.

To obtain it, there are several methods, which take time. The first is work-related, through the L1 visa, for people who have a key position in the company. This is the only visa that grants access to the green card. The second is investment with EB-5 or E1 E2 visas. The green card candidate must invest $ 500,000 in the creation of a company on American soil, and recruit 10 people.

Another method to obtain it: marriage to a person of American nationality. This practice, however, is closely monitored by immigration authorities, to avoid “white marriages”. Finally, another method to get it is through the lottery. The DV Lottery is free and allows you to receive the green card without going through the visa or marriage. But few candidates are drawn at random, which makes the probability of getting this precious sesame extremely low each year.

Sources:

A special authorization for an artist and an athlete traveling to the USA. France ESTA website

The O visa, the visa for extraordinary people. English District

Visa for people with extraordinary ability or results. Visa Help

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