--- title: O1 Visa Requirements: O-1A and O-1B Criteria | Lando url: https://trylando.com/o1-visa-requirements description: O1 visa requirements and criteria: the 3-of-8 O-1A and 3-of-6 O-1B tests, the paperwork a petition needs, and the steps to apply for an O-1 visa. --- # O1 Visa Requirements: O-1A and O-1B Criteria O1 visa requirements and criteria: the 3-of-8 O-1A and 3-of-6 O-1B tests, the paperwork a petition needs, and the steps to apply for an O-1 visa. Page reviewed October 8, 2026. **Quick answer.** To qualify for the O-1 visa you show extraordinary ability in your field. For the O-1A (sciences, education, business and athletics) you either show a major internationally recognized award or meet at least three of eight criteria. For the O-1B (arts) you show a significant national or international award, or meet at least three of six criteria. Motion picture and television work is held to a higher standard of extraordinary achievement. The petition also needs an advisory opinion, a contract or summary of the work, an itinerary, and a U.S. employer or agent to file it. ## The O-1A criteria (3 of 8) The O-1A is for people with extraordinary ability in the sciences, education, business or athletics. A petition shows a major internationally recognized award, or at least three of these eight: - Nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence in the field - Membership in associations that require outstanding achievement of their members - Published material about you in professional or major trade publications or major media - Judging the work of others in the field, individually or on a panel - Original scientific, scholarly, athletic or business-related contributions of major significance - Authorship of scholarly articles in professional journals or major media - Employment in a critical or essential capacity for organizations with a distinguished reputation - A high salary or other remuneration compared with others in the field - [O-1A visa](https://trylando.com/o1a-visa) - [Awards](https://trylando.com/o1a-visa/awards) - [Press and media](https://trylando.com/o1a-visa/press-media) - [Judging](https://trylando.com/o1a-visa/judging) - [Original contributions](https://trylando.com/o1a-visa/original-contributions) - [Critical role](https://trylando.com/o1a-visa/critical-role) - [High salary](https://trylando.com/o1a-visa/high-salary) - [Memberships](https://trylando.com/o1a-visa/memberships) ## The O-1B criteria (3 of 6) The O-1B is for people with extraordinary ability in the arts, or a record of extraordinary achievement in motion pictures or television. A petition shows a significant national or international award or prize, or at least three of these six: - Lead or starring roles in productions or events with a distinguished reputation - National or international recognition shown by critical reviews or other published material - A lead, starring or critical role for organizations with a distinguished reputation - Major commercial or critical success, such as box office, ratings, sales or reviews - Significant recognition from organizations, critics, government agencies or other experts - A high salary or other remuneration compared with others in the field - [O-1B visa](https://trylando.com/o1b-visa) - [Awards](https://trylando.com/o1b-visa/awards) - [Press and media](https://trylando.com/o1b-visa/press-media) - [Critical role](https://trylando.com/o1b-visa/critical-role) - [Distinguished organizations](https://trylando.com/o1b-visa/distinguished-organizations) - [Commercial success](https://trylando.com/o1b-visa/commercial-success) - [High salary](https://trylando.com/o1b-visa/high-salary) ## Meeting the criteria is not enough on its own USCIS first checks whether you meet the required number of criteria. It then looks at the evidence as a whole to decide whether it shows extraordinary ability or achievement. For the arts the standard is distinction, a high level of achievement substantially above the ordinary. For motion pictures and television it is extraordinary achievement, which is higher. This is why a case is built around the strongest evidence, not a count of boxes. - [O-1A vs O-1B](https://trylando.com/o1a-vs-o1b) ## What else the petition needs - A written advisory opinion from a peer group or a person with expertise in the field. For the arts this is often a union or guild. - A contract, or a summary of the terms of an oral agreement, covering the work in the United States. - An itinerary of the events or activities, with dates and locations. - A U.S. petitioner: a U.S. employer, a U.S. agent, or a foreign employer through a U.S. agent. You cannot file for yourself. - [Agent petitioner service](https://trylando.com/o1-visa-agent-petitioner) ## How to apply for an O-1 visa - Check your eligibility. A free 2-minute check shows how your record maps to the O-1A and O-1B criteria. - Choose the classification. Founders, engineers and researchers usually look at the O-1A. Artists, performers, designers and filmmakers usually look at the O-1B. - Build the evidence: awards, press, judging, contributions, roles, salary and expert letters, organized by criterion. - Get the advisory opinion, and settle the petitioner: an employer or a U.S. agent. - File Form I-129 with USCIS. Premium processing is optional and gets a decision in 15 business days. A decision can be an approval, a request for evidence or a denial. - If you are outside the U.S., apply for the visa at a U.S. consulate after approval. If you are in the U.S. in a valid status, a change of status may be possible. - [Free eligibility check](https://trylando.com/o1-visa) - [O-1 visa cost](https://trylando.com/o1-visa-cost) - [O-1 processing time](https://trylando.com/o1-visa-processing-time) ## Common questions ### What are the O1 visa requirements? A major internationally recognized award, or at least three of eight criteria for the O-1A, or a significant national or international award, or at least three of six criteria for the O-1B. The petition also needs an advisory opinion, a contract or summary of the work, an itinerary, and a U.S. employer or agent. ### How many criteria do I need for the O-1? Three. The O-1A lists eight criteria and the O-1B lists six for the arts. A major award can replace the three-criteria test. ### Is the O-1 the same as the O1 visa? Yes. The O1 visa is the same visa written without the hyphen. The O1A and O1B are the same as the O-1A and O-1B. ### Do I need a job offer for an O-1? You need a U.S. petitioner, which can be an employer, an agent, or a foreign employer through a U.S. agent. Founders and artists with several clients often use an agent petitioner, where the rules allow it. ### How do I apply for an O-1 visa? A U.S. employer or agent files Form I-129 with USCIS, with the evidence, the advisory opinion, the contract or summary and the itinerary. After approval you apply at a U.S. consulate, or change status if you are already in the U.S. in a valid status. ### Does Lando guarantee approval? No. USCIS decides every petition, and Lando does not promise an outcome. Lando is not a law firm. Petitions are prepared in coordination with licensed U.S. immigration attorneys. ## 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 (O-1)](https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-2-part-m-chapter-4) - [8 CFR 214.2(o), O-1 classification](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-8/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-214/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-requirements