O-1 is the fastest temporary route for top professionals, with no lottery. Because the evidence overlaps, it pairs naturally with an EB-1A or EB-2 NIW green card petition.
Key takeaways
- No lottery and no cap.
- Needs a U.S. employer or agent.
- O-1A usually requires 3 of 8 criteria.
- A strong bridge while EB-1A or NIW is pending.
What are the O-1A criteria?
Unless you have a major internationally recognized award, O-1A requires evidence of at least three of eight criteria.
Awards
Nationally or internationally recognized prizes for excellence.
Memberships
Associations requiring outstanding achievement.
Published material
Articles about you in professional or major media.
Judging
Judging the work of others in your field.
Original contributions
Scientific, scholarly or business contributions of major significance.
Scholarly articles
Authorship in professional journals or major media.
Critical role
Employment in a critical or essential capacity for distinguished organizations.
High salary
High remuneration compared with others in the field.
O-1 vs. H-1B vs. EB-1A
O-1 is a temporary visa with no lottery. H-1B is a temporary visa with a lottery. EB-1A is a green card with a similar but higher evidence standard.
| Factor | O-1 | H-1B | EB-1A |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Temporary | Temporary | Green card |
| Lottery | No | Yes | No |
| Petitioner | Employer or agent | Employer | Self-petition |
| Evidence bar | High | Bachelor's degree | Very high |
We'll assess your evidence for O-1, EB-1A and EB-2 NIW together.
What is the advisory opinion?
Most O-1 petitions need a written consultation from a peer group, labor organization or management organization in your field, confirming the nature of your work.
If no appropriate organization exists, USCIS may decide the case without one. We help identify the right organization and request the opinion early.
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Official sources
- USCIS: O-1 Visa: Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement
- USCIS: Employment-Based Immigration, First Preference (EB-1)
- USCIS Fee Schedule (Form G-1055)
Phoenix Immigration Consulting Services LLC is an immigration consulting firm, not a law firm, and does not provide legal advice. Information on this page is general and may change; always confirm current rules on uscis.gov and travel.state.gov. Filing a petition or application does not guarantee approval.
