Extraordinary Ability in the Arts, Sciences, Education, and Athletics

O-1 status is available to nonimmigrants who:

• Have extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics and this extraordinary ability must have been demonstrated by sustained national or international acclaim.� To prove exraordinary ability one must show evidence of:
  Receipt of a major, internationally recognized award, such as the Nobel Prize; OR at least three of the following:
  1. Documentation of the alien's receipt of nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence in the field of endeavor;
  2. Documentation of the alien's membership in associations in the field for which classification is sought, which require outstanding achievements of their members, as judged by recognized national or international experts in their disciplines or fields;
  3. Published material in professional or major trade publications or major media about the alien, relating to the alien's work in the field for which classification is sought, which shall include the title, date, and author of such published material, and any necessary translation;
  4. Evidence of the alien's participation on a panel, or individually, as a judge of the work of others in the same or in an allied field of specialization to that for which classification is sought;
  5. Evidence of the alien's original scientific, scholarly, or business-related contributions of major significance in the field;
  6. Evidence of the alien's authorship of scholarly articles in the field, in professional journals, or other major media;
  7. Evidence that the alien has been employed in a critical or essential capacity for organizations and establishments that have a distinguished reputation;
  8. Evidence that the alien has either commanded a high salary or will command a high salary or other remuneration for services, evidenced by contracts or other reliable evidence.
• Work in motions potions and television and can demonstrate a record of extraordinary achievement.� To prove this extraordinary ability, one must show evidence of the following:
  Evidence that the alien has been nominated for, or has been the recipient of, significant national or international awards or prizes in the particular field such as an Academy Award, an Emmy, a Grammy, or a Director's Guild Award; OR evidence of at least three of the following:
  1. 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 releases, publications contracts, or endorsements;
  2. 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;
  3. 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;
  4. Evidence that the alien has a record of major commercial or critically acclaimed successes as evidenced by such indicators as title, rating, standing in the field, box office receipts, motion picture or television ratings, and other occupational achievements reported in trade journals, major newspapers, or other publications;
  5. Evidence that the alien has received significant recognition for achievements from organizations, critics, government agencies, or other recognized experts in the field 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 evidenced by contracts or other reliable evidence;

O-2 nonimmigrants are those aliens coming to accompany the O-1 artist or athletes.� This person must be acting as an essential or integral part of the artistic or athletic performance of an O-1 artist of athlete because the alien performs support services that cannot be readily performed by a U.S. worker and which are essential to the successful performance of the O-1.

Spouses and unmarried children under twenty-one (21) are entitled to O-3 status.