1. O-1 Extraordinary Ability or Achievement

2. What is the O-1 visa? 
Non-immigrant employment-based visa classification for foreign nationals who can demonstrate the sustained national or international acclaim and recognition for achievements in the science, education, business or athletics.
Requires employer to file a Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker (Form I-129), along with evidence of the individual's extraordinary ability. The "extraordinary ability in the field of science, education, business, or athletics means a level of expertise indicating that the person is one of the small percentage who have arisen to the very top of the field of endeavor."

3. Qualifying for the O-1 Visa
Under federal law there are three different standards for the O-1 category:
the most exacting standard applies to those individuals in the sciences, education, business and athletics;
a much less rigorous standard applies to individuals in the arts;
an intermediate standard applies to individuals in the motion picture or TV industries.
The O-1 visa category is reserved for those individuals who have risen to the very top of their fields of endeavor and can provide documentary evidence to substantiate this claim.

4. Employment is position, employer, and date specific:
O-1 visa classification is granted by the USCIS. The employer must submit a petition that is employer and position specific to USCIS on behalf of the employee. The The foreign national granted O-1 visa classification will be authorized by USCIS to be employed only by the employer that submitted the O-1 application and only for the time period and the position, event or activity for which the USCIS granted approval. employee may not commence employment prior to the date authorized by USCIS and must terminate employment no later than the date authorized.

5. Working for another employer
If the O-1 foreign worker wishes to change her/his employer, the new employer must file another O-1 petition and is not permitted to employ the foreign worker until it has received approval from USCIS for its O-1 application. If the individual works for more than one employer at the same time, each employer must file a separate petition with the USCIS.

6. Duration of O-1 Visa Classification
No limit on how long someone may hold O-1 status
Initial authorized period of stay up to 3 years
Extensions in 1 year increments only
O-1 must be continuing in the same position or activity

7. J-1 Two Year Foreign Residence Requirement
The J-1 may be subject to the requirement and still apply for the O-1 visa outside the US – but no Change of Status inside the US

8. Obtaining O-1 Status
Departments willing to sponsor an employee for O-1 status should consult with a qualified immigration attorney. The attorney will need to work with Martyn Miller in International Affairs for the I-129 signatures. ISSS maintains a list of attorneys who have been referred to our office [ referred.html]