--- title: O-1 Visa FAQ: Answers to Common Questions | Lando url: https://trylando.com/o1-visa-faq description: Answers to common O-1 questions: is it an immigrant visa, how hard it is, how long it takes and lasts, who can work, who can apply, and what it costs. --- # O-1 Visa FAQ: Answers to Common Questions Answers to common O-1 questions: is it an immigrant visa, how hard it is, how long it takes and lasts, who can work, who can apply, and what it costs. Page reviewed October 8, 2026. **Quick answer.** The O-1 is a nonimmigrant (temporary) work visa with no cap or lottery. An initial stay can be up to three years, with extensions of up to one year. USCIS approved about 94% of the O-class petitions it decided in FY2025. You need a petitioner, not necessarily an employer, and your spouse and children can come on O-3 status but cannot work on it. ## What kind of visa is it? The O-1 is a nonimmigrant work visa for people with extraordinary ability or achievement. It is a dual-intent classification, so holding it does not prevent you from pursuing a green card. - [What is the O-1 visa?](https://trylando.com/what-is-the-o1-visa) ## How hard is it? The standard is high. USCIS data for the whole O class (O-1 and O-2) shows an approved share of 93.85% of completed petitions in FY2025 and 91.05% in FY2026 through June 30, 2026. Those figures are for all O petitions, not for any one applicant, and not Lando's own rate. - [O-1 visa approval rate](https://trylando.com/o1-visa-approval-rate) ## What do you need to qualify? A major award, or at least three criteria (eight for the O-1A, six for the O-1B in the arts), plus an advisory opinion. There is no citation count, degree or age requirement. - [O-1 visa requirements](https://trylando.com/o1-visa-requirements) - [O-1 visa examples](https://trylando.com/o1-visa-examples) ## Who files, and can you apply yourself? A U.S. employer, a U.S. agent, or a foreign employer through a U.S. agent files Form I-129. You cannot file for yourself as an individual. - [O-1 visa sponsorship](https://trylando.com/o1-visa-sponsorship) - [O-1 visa agent petitioner](https://trylando.com/o1-visa-agent-petitioner) ## How long does it take and last? With premium processing, USCIS takes action within 15 business days of receiving the request. An initial stay can be up to three years, with extensions of up to one year. - [O-1 processing time](https://trylando.com/o1-visa-processing-time) - [O-1 duration and extension](https://trylando.com/o1-visa-duration-extension) ## Work, study and family The O-1 relates to the petitioner and the work described in the petition, so other employment generally needs its own petition. The spouse and unmarried children under 21 may be eligible for O-3 status, which does not allow employment. - [O-1 spouse and children (O-3)](https://trylando.com/o1-visa-spouse-dependents) ## What does it cost? There are two separate kinds of cost: USCIS government fees, and the fee of whoever prepares the petition. Lando's flat fee is $10,000 and does not include the USCIS fees. - [O-1 visa cost](https://trylando.com/o1-visa-cost) - [USCIS fee calculator](https://trylando.com/uscis-fee-calculator) ## Common questions ### Is the O-1 an immigrant or nonimmigrant visa? The O-1 is a nonimmigrant (temporary) visa. It is a dual-intent classification, so holding it does not prevent you from pursuing a green card. ### How hard is it to get an O-1 visa? It depends on your evidence. The standard is high, but USCIS approved 93.85% of the O-class petitions it completed in FY2025 and 91.05% in FY2026 through June 30, 2026. That figure covers all O petitions, which are usually prepared with care, and is not Lando's own rate. ### How many citations do I need for the O-1? USCIS sets no citation threshold. Citations are one way to show original contributions or scholarly work, and they are judged against the norms of your field. ### How long does it take to get an O-1? Preparation varies by case. USCIS standard processing times vary, and with premium processing USCIS takes action within 15 business days of receiving the request. Lando's average time to a filed petition is about two weeks. ### How long does the O-1 last? An initial stay can be up to three years. Extensions are granted in increments of up to one year. ### Can O-1 holders work for any employer? No. The O-1 relates to the petitioner and the work described in the petition. Work for another employer generally needs its own petition. ### Can an O-1 holder's spouse work? O-3 status lets the spouse and unmarried children under 21 live in the U.S., but O-3 does not allow employment. ### Does the O-1 require an interview? If you apply for the visa at a U.S. consulate, an interview is normally part of that step, subject to the consulate's waiver rules. Check the consulate's current guidance. ### Can I apply for an O-1 from outside the U.S.? Yes. The petitioner files with USCIS in the U.S., and once approved you apply at a U.S. consulate, or change status if you are already in the U.S. in a valid status. ### Can I apply for an O-1 myself? Not as an individual filing for yourself. The petition must be filed by a U.S. employer, a U.S. agent, or a foreign employer through a U.S. agent. Lando can act as your U.S. agent where the rules allow. ## Sources - [USCIS: O-1 Visa, Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement](https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-workers/o-1-visa-individuals-with-extraordinary-ability-or-achievement) - [USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 2, Part M, Chapter 4](https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-2-part-m-chapter-4) - [8 CFR 214.2(o) on eCFR](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-8/section-214.2) Checked October 2026. Lando is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Petitions are prepared in coordination with licensed U.S. immigration attorneys. --- Lando is not a law firm. Petitions are prepared in coordination with licensed U.S. immigration attorneys. Source: https://trylando.com/o1-visa-faq