Changes to the immigration programs the United States offers occur often. The current administration recently made a change that has to do with employment visas. The executive order increased the application fee for the H-1B visa by more than 10 times. It went from under $10,000 for the application to $100,000 with the order.
This has left some immigrants and businesses to look into other options that allow them to circumvent the exorbitant cost of the H-1B visa. One option that some may qualify for is the O-1 visa, which is commonly referred to as the Einstein visa.
What, exactly, is the O-1 visa?
The O-1 visa is meant for people who have extraordinary ability, which means that they must meet specific requirements. Typically, this means that they have been recognized nationally or internationally for their work. It can be difficult to prove that a person qualifies because they must meet at least three out of eight very specific criteria.
The O-1A visa is for individuals with these abilities in athletics, sciences, business and education. The O-1B visa is for people who are in the entertainment industry or the arts. Unlike some other types of visas, there isn’t a cap on how many can be issued each year.
One of the limitations of the Einstein visa is that it only enables the applicant to remain in the U.S. for three years if it is approved. There is the option of having it extended, and it may lead to other immigration pathways.
Determining the best option to obtain an immigration visa can sometimes take considerable thought. With the changes that occur in this area of law and policy, it might be best to work with someone familiar with these matters. This may make the decision a bit clearer and provide the individual with someone on their side.