--- title: O-1 Visa Glossary: Key Terms Explained | Lando url: https://trylando.com/o1-visa-glossary description: Plain-English definitions of O-1 visa terms: O-1A, O-1B, RFE, Form I-129, premium processing, advisory opinion, O-3 status and more, sourced from USCIS. --- # O-1 Visa Glossary: Key Terms Explained Plain-English definitions of O-1 visa terms: O-1A, O-1B, RFE, Form I-129, premium processing, advisory opinion, O-3 status and more, sourced from USCIS. **Quick answer.** This glossary defines the terms that come up in an O-1 petition, using USCIS's own wording where it exists. Where a term describes how Lando works, it is marked Lando. ## O-1A (extraordinary ability in the sciences, education, business or athletics) The O-1A is for people with extraordinary ability in the sciences, education, business or athletics. Under USCIS's regulation, extraordinary ability means a level of expertise indicating that the person is one of the small percentage who have risen to the very top of the field. A petition must show a major internationally recognized award, or meet at least three of eight listed criteria. ## O-1B (extraordinary ability in the arts, or achievement in film and television) The O-1B is for people with extraordinary ability in the arts, or a record of extraordinary achievement in motion pictures or television. For the arts, USCIS's regulation describes distinction as a high level of achievement evidenced by a degree of skill and recognition substantially above that ordinarily encountered, so that the person is prominent, renowned, leading or well known in the field. A petition must show a significant national or international award or prize, or meet at least three of six listed criteria. ## Beneficiary The person who would receive O-1 status: the artist, founder, engineer, researcher or other professional the petition is filed for. ## Petitioner The party that files the petition with USCIS. For the O-1 this is a U.S. employer, a U.S. agent, or a foreign employer through a U.S. agent. ## U.S. agent A U.S. person or entity that can file an O-1 petition on the beneficiary's behalf where an agent is permitted, for example when the beneficiary will work for more than one employer. ## Form I-129 Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker. It is the USCIS form used to file an O-1 petition. ## Advisory opinion (consultation) A written opinion from a peer group, or from a person with expertise in the field, that must accompany an O-1 petition. ## Evidentiary criteria The listed types of evidence USCIS uses to judge extraordinary ability or achievement, such as awards, press, a critical role, a high salary, judging the work of others, or original contributions. The O-1A lists eight, and the O-1B for the arts lists six. ## Request for Evidence (RFE) A USCIS notice asking for more documentation before it decides a petition. Lando includes responses to RFEs in its flat fee. ## Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID) A USCIS notice saying it intends to deny a petition and giving the petitioner a chance to respond first. ## Premium processing An optional USCIS service, requested on Form I-907, that gives a 15 business day time frame for USCIS to take action on an O-1 petition. The fee is $2,965 as of September 2026. It does not guarantee an approval. ## Form I-907 Request for Premium Processing Service. It is filed to ask USCIS for premium processing. ## O-3 status The classification for the spouse and unmarried children under 21 of an O-1 holder. They may be eligible to accompany the O-1 holder. ## Period of stay An initial O-1 stay can be up to three years. Extensions are granted in increments of up to one year. ## EB-1A The employment-based first preference green card category for extraordinary ability. Many O-1 holders later pursue it. It is a different petition from the O-1, with its own standard. ## Evidence map (Lando) Lando's plan, built in the first days of a case, for which achievements to lead with, which expert letters to request, and which USCIS criteria your background meets. ## Fee-back guarantee (Lando) If USCIS denies a petition Lando filed, Lando refunds its fee for that petition. USCIS government fees are not part of Lando's fee. Terms apply. ## Common questions ### What is the difference between a petitioner and a beneficiary? The beneficiary is the person who would receive O-1 status. The petitioner is the U.S. employer or U.S. agent (or a foreign employer through a U.S. agent) that files the petition with USCIS. ### Is premium processing the same as approval? No. Premium processing sets a 15 business day time frame for USCIS to take action. The action can be an approval, a denial, a Request for Evidence or a notice of intent to deny. ### How many criteria must an O-1 petition meet? For the O-1A, a major internationally recognized award or at least three of eight criteria. For the O-1B in the arts, a significant national or international award or prize, or at least three of six criteria. ## 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) - [USCIS: How Do I Request Premium Processing?](https://www.uscis.gov/forms/all-forms/how-do-i-request-premium-processing) Checked September 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-glossary