The O-1 visa is a temporary work visa for foreign nationals who possess "extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business or athletics" which "have been demonstrated by sustained national or international acclaim." It is also available to those in motion pictures and television who can demonstrate a record of "extraordinary achievement."

In order to be granted an O-1 visa to work in the sciences, education, business or athletics, those applying for an O-1 visa need to provide evidence that they have "a level of expertise indicating that the person is one of the small percentage who have risen to the top of the field of endeavor." There are two primary methods to evidence expertise. The first is providing evidence of having received a major internationally recognized award.  The second and most typical method is by including documentation for three of the following categories:  

· Receipt of nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence in the field of endeavor

· Membership in associations in the field which require outstanding achievements of their members

· Published material about the alien

· Participation as a judge of the work of others in the same or allied fields

· Evidence of original contributions of significance in the field

· Authorship of scholarly articles

· Evidence of employment in a critical or essential capacity for organizations with a distinguished reputation

· Evidence that the alien has or will command a high salary

O-1 Visa of Extraordinary Ability for Artists:

Extraordinary ability in the arts signifies that the individual artist applying for an O-1 visa has attained "distinction." The definition for "distinction" is a "a high level of achievement in the field of arts evidence by a degree of skill and recognition substantially above that ordinarily encountered." In addition, distinction has also been interpreted as prominence in the artist's specific field. The applicant can show distinction by being the nominee or recipient of an important national or international award, or by providing evidence in at least three of the following categories:  

· Evidence that the alien has performed, and will perform, services as a lead or starring participant in productions or events which have a distinguished reputation as evidenced by critical reviews, advertisements, publicity released, publications contracts, or endorsements; Evidence that the alien has achieved national or international recognition for achievements evidenced by critical reviews or other published materials by or about the individual in major newspapers, trade journals, magazines, or other publications;

· Evidence that the alien has performed, and will perform, in a lead, starring, or critical role for organizations and establishments that have a distinguished reputation evidenced by articles in newspapers, trade journals, publications, or testimonials;

· Evidence that the alien has a record or major commercial or critically acclaimed successes as evidenced by such indicators as title, rating, standing in the field, box office receipts, motion pictures or television ratings, and other occupational achievements reported in trade journals, major newspapers, or other publications;

· Evidence that the alien has received significant recognition for achievements from organizations, critics, government agencies, or other recognized experts in the filed in which the alien is engaged. Such testimonials must be in a form which clearly indicates the author's authority, expertise, and knowledge of the alien's achievements; or

· Evidence that the alien has either commanded a high salary or will command a high salary or other substantial remuneration for services in relation to others in the field, as evidence by contracts or other reliable evidence.