Do You Qualify for O-1?
O-1 is reserved for individuals who can demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim — not lottery luck. Below are the criteria USCIS uses; meeting several with strong evidence is typical for a successful petition.
USCIS O-1 criteria (at a glance)
These are common evidentiary categories. Your immigration attorney will tailor strategy to your record.
Awards or prizes for excellence
Nationally or internationally recognized prizes for excellence in your field.
Membership in prestigious associations
Membership that requires outstanding achievement judged by recognized experts.
Published media coverage
Material about you and your work in major trade or general publications.
Participation as judge of others' work
Serving on a panel or as a reviewer judging the work of others in the field.
Original scientific or scholarly contributions
Major significance contributions that are original to you — not routine output.
Authorship of scholarly articles
Articles in professional journals or other major media in the field.
Critical role at distinguished organizations
Leading or essential capacity for organizations with a distinguished reputation.
High salary relative to peers
Remuneration that substantially exceeds others in the same geographic area.
Join the Network
Share your profile for review. If you're a fit, we'll introduce you to employers hiring in your lane.
What happens after you apply
A simple path from submission to warm introductions.
- Step 1
Profile Submitted
You share achievements, CV, and goals.
- Step 2
Reviewed (48hr)
We assess fit against O-1 criteria and network needs.
- Step 3
Matched
We align your profile with active employer searches.
- Step 4
Introduced
Warm introductions to hiring teams, with counsel partners as needed.