Alien of extraordinary ability
Alien of extraordinary ability is an alien classification by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. The United States may grant a priority visa to an alien who is able to demonstrate "extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics", or through some other extraordinary career achievements.
It is known colloquially as a "genius visa" or "artists' visa" (many of the recipients are artists).[1]
It can be granted on non-immigrant or immigrant basis.
Non-immigrant O-1 visa
Description
The O-1 nonimmigrant visa is for an alien who possesses extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics, or who has a demonstrated record of extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry and has been recognized nationally or internationally for those achievements.[2]
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility Criteria for O-1A visa should include an evidence that the beneficiary has received a major award, such as a Nobel Prize, or evidence of at least three of the following:
- Receipt of nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards
- Membership in associations in the field for which classification is sought which require outstanding achievements
- Published material in professional or major trade publications, newspapers or other major media
- Original scientific, scholarly, or business-related contributions of major significance in the field
- Authorship of scholarly articles in professional journals or other major media
- A high salary or other remuneration for services as evidenced by contracts
- Participation on a panel, or individually, as a judge of the work of others
- Employment in a critical or essential capacity for organizations and establishments, that have a distinguished reputation.
Immigrant EB-1 visa
Description
An extraordinary ability may be eligible for an employment-based, first-preference EB-1 immigrant visa. An alien must be able to demonstrate extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics through sustained national or international acclaim. Achievements must be recognized through extensive documentation. No offer of employment is required.[3]
An alien must meet 3 of 10 criteria below, or provide evidence of a one-time achievement (i.e., Pulitzer, Oscar, Olympic Medal)
Eligibility criteria
Must meet three out of the ten listed criteria below to prove extraordinary ability in the field:
- Evidence of receipt of lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence
- Evidence of membership in associations in the field, which demand outstanding achievement of their members
- Evidence of published material about you in professional or major trade publications or other major media
- Evidence of judging the work of others, either individually or on a panel
- Evidence of original scientific, scholarly, artistic, athletic, or business-related contributions of major significance to the field
- Evidence of authorship of scholarly articles in professional or major trade publications or other major media
- Evidence that work has been displayed at artistic exhibitions or showcases
- Evidence of performance of a leading or critical role in distinguished organizations
- Evidence that of high salary or other significantly high remuneration in relation to others in the field
- Evidence of commercial successes in the performing arts
List of recipients
- Courtney Act
- Avtar Nordine Zoureg, 86, 88 Mr. Universe Bodybuilding Champion (French Algerian)
- Scott Allison, co-founder of Teamly, a software company[4]
- Inon Barnatan, an Israeli concert pianist[1]
- Shera Bechard[4]
- Justin Bieber[5]
- Olavo de Carvalho, a Brazilian journalist and philosopher.
- Clive Crook[5]
- Gavin Free[6]
- Kemal Gekic, a Croatian concert pianist
- Jennifer Gould Keil, a Canadian author[1]
- Luiz André Lobo, A Brazilian Broadcast Journalist
- Toni Kukoč
- Oscar Oiwa, a Brazilian visual artist
- John Lennon[7]
- Bettina May[7]
- Ewan Morgan, Noted expert and Ambassador for Scotch and American Whisk(e)y.
- Piers Morgan[4]
- Dirk Nowitzki[1]
- Gary Numan[8]
- Yoko Ono[7]
- Prof. Osmond Ifeanyi Onyeka, of Nigeria, was given the O1A status in the US, 2008-2011. ref: EAC 08-017-52683.
- Pelé[7]
- Marcelo Aniello[7]
- Psy[9]
- Bertrand Tessa (researcher)[7]
- Taron Egerton[10]
References
- 1 2 3 4 Herbst, Moira (17 May 2009). "Immigration: When Only 'Geniuses' Need Apply". Bloomberg Businessweek.
- ↑ "O-1 Visa: Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement". Retrieved 2012-09-16.
- ↑ "Employment-Based Immigration: First Preference EB-1".
- 1 2 3 McBride, Sarah (29 June 2012). "U.S. "Genius" visa attracts entrepreneurs and Playmates". Reuters.
- 1 2 Crook, Clive (30 January 2014). "I Was a Genius Just Like Justin Bieber". Bloomberg View.
- ↑ Gavin Free
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Pearson, Erica (21 October 2012). "Bettina May earns 'genius' green card -- for her unique burlesque, pin-up abilities". New York Daily News.
- ↑ "Q&A: Gary Numan On New Album Splinter, His Legacy, And Surviving A Mid-life Crisis". 30 July 2013.
- ↑ "Psy receives 'O Visa' for his stay in the U.S. - allkpop.com".
- ↑ "Codename: The Welsh Dragon". Codename: The Welsh Dragon. Retrieved 2016-06-07.