--- title: What Is the O-1 Visa? O1 Visa Explained | Lando url: https://trylando.com/what-is-the-o1-visa description: What the O1 visa is, who it is for, the O-1A and O-1B, how many criteria a petition must meet, who files it and how long it lasts, sourced from USCIS. --- # What Is the O-1 Visa? O1 Visa Explained What the O1 visa is, who it is for, the O-1A and O-1B, how many criteria a petition must meet, who files it and how long it lasts, sourced from USCIS. Page reviewed October 8, 2026. **Quick answer.** The O-1 visa (also written O1 or O visa) is a U.S. nonimmigrant work visa for people with extraordinary ability or achievement. The O-1A covers the sciences, education, business and athletics. The O-1B covers the arts, and extraordinary achievement in motion pictures or television. A petition must show a qualifying award or meet at least three of the listed criteria, and a U.S. employer or U.S. agent files it with USCIS. ## What the O-1 visa is The O-1 is a nonimmigrant visa classification for individuals who have extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business or athletics, or a demonstrated record of extraordinary achievement in motion pictures or television. People often write it as O1 visa or O visa. It is the same visa. ## O-1A and O-1B - O-1A: extraordinary ability in the sciences, education, business or athletics. Founders, engineers, researchers, executives and athletes use it. - O-1B: extraordinary ability in the arts, or extraordinary achievement in motion pictures or television. Musicians, actors, designers and filmmakers use it. - [O-1A visa](https://trylando.com/o1a-visa) - [O-1B visa](https://trylando.com/o1b-visa) - [O-1A vs O-1B](https://trylando.com/o1a-vs-o1b) ## What a petition must show For the O-1A, a petition must show a major internationally recognized award, or meet at least three of eight listed criteria. For the O-1B in the arts, it must show a significant national or international award or prize, or meet at least three of six listed criteria. USCIS then decides whether the evidence, taken as a whole, shows extraordinary ability. - [O-1 visa requirements and criteria](https://trylando.com/o1-visa-requirements) ## Who files and what is filed - A U.S. employer, a U.S. agent, or a foreign employer through a U.S. agent files the petition. - The petition is filed on Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker. - It must be accompanied by an advisory opinion (a consultation) from a peer group or a person with expertise in the field. - [O-1 U.S. agent petitioner service](https://trylando.com/o1-visa-agent-petitioner) ## How long it lasts An initial O-1 stay can be up to three years. Extensions are granted in increments of up to one year. The spouse and unmarried children under 21 of an O-1 holder may be eligible for O-3 status. - [O-1 duration and extension](https://trylando.com/o1-visa-duration-extension) - [O-1 spouse and dependents](https://trylando.com/o1-visa-spouse-dependents) ## What it costs and how long it takes USCIS filing fees are paid to USCIS and are separate from any service fee. Premium processing is optional and gives a 15 business day time frame for USCIS to take action. It does not guarantee an approval. - [O-1 visa cost](https://trylando.com/o1-visa-cost) - [O-1 processing time](https://trylando.com/o1-visa-processing-time) - [Check your eligibility](https://trylando.com/o1-visa) ## Common questions ### What is an O-1 visa? The O-1 is a U.S. nonimmigrant work visa for people with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business or athletics, or extraordinary achievement in motion pictures or television. A U.S. employer or U.S. agent files the petition with USCIS. ### Is the O1 visa the same as the O-1 visa? Yes. O1 visa, O-1 visa and O visa all refer to the same classification. The O1A and O1B are the same as the O-1A and the O-1B. ### What is the difference between the O-1A and the O-1B? The O-1A is for extraordinary ability in the sciences, education, business or athletics. The O-1B is for extraordinary ability in the arts, or extraordinary achievement in motion pictures or television. ### 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. ### How long does an O-1 last? An initial O-1 stay can be up to three years, with extensions in increments of up to one year. ### 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](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/what-is-the-o1-visa