Athletes, Artists, Entertainers, Business & Science Professionals

O-1 Alien of Extraordinary Ability:

Establishing Eligibility for the 0-1 Category:

• Extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business or athletics which has been “demonstrated by sustained national or international acclaim”.
• The definition of “extraordinary ability” varies depending on the type of beneficiary. Specifically, the law enacts three different standards.
• 0-1 category:
  • (1) the most exacting standards apply to aliens in the sciences, education, business, and athletics;
  • (2) a much less rigorous standard applies to individual aliens in the arts; and
  • (3) an intermediate standard applies to aliens of extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or TV industries. However, all beneficiaries petitioning under the 0-1 category must be able to demonstrate their extraordinary ability through extensive documentation.

P-1/P-2/P-3 (Artists, Athletes & Entertainers):

• P-1 visa status is available to an alien who is coming to the U.S.
  to perform services as an internationally recognized athlete,
  individually or as part of a group or team, or to a member of an internationally recognized entertainment group.
• P-2 status is available to an artist or entertainer who is coming
  to perform under a reciprocal exchange program.
• P-3 status is available for an individual who is coming to
  perform, teach or coach under a program that is culturally
  unique.