The O-1 visa is a non-immigrant classification for individuals who possess extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics, or who have demonstrated extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) defines extraordinary ability as a level of expertise indicating that the individual is among the small percentage who have risen to the very top of their field.
This may include researchers with internationally recognized publications, entrepreneurs who have received nationally or internationally recognized awards, professional athletes competing at an elite level, or artists whose work has received significant industry recognition.
The O-1 classification is divided into two principal categories:
- O-1A, for individuals with extraordinary ability in the sciences, education, business, or athletics
- O-1B, for individuals with extraordinary ability in the arts or extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry
Evidentiary requirements under federal regulation
To qualify, a petition must include documentation that meets the evidentiary framework established in 8 CFR 214.2(o).
Under the regulation, a petitioner must demonstrate either:
- Receipt of a major, internationally recognized award,
or - Evidence satisfying multiple specified evidentiary categories listed in the regulation.
For O-1A and most O-1B (arts) cases, these categories include documentation such as:
- Nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards
- Membership in associations that require outstanding achievements
- Published material about the individual in professional or major trade publications
- Participation as a judge of the work of others
- Original contributions of major significance to the field
- Authorship of scholarly articles
- Employment in a critical or essential role for distinguished organizations
- Evidence of commanding a high salary or other substantial remuneration
For motion picture and television professionals, the regulation applies a distinct evidentiary structure tailored to that industry’s recognition standards.
USCIS reviews the submitted documentation to determine whether the regulatory standard has been met.
O-1 visa issuances by fiscal year
The U.S. Department of State publishes annual statistics on non-immigrant visas issued at U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide. These figures are released in the Report of the Visa Office and include the number of O-1 visas issued each fiscal year.
According to the most recent reports:
- In Fiscal Year 2020, there were approximately 8,838 O-1 visas issued.
- In Fiscal Year 2021, there were approximately 7,294 O-1 visas issued.
- In Fiscal Year 2022, there were approximately 19,102 O-1 visas issued.
- In Fiscal Year 2023, there were approximately 18,994 O-1 visas issued.
- In Fiscal Year 2024, there were approximately 19,457 O-1 visas issued.
These counts represent the number of O-1 visa stamps granted by U.S. consular offices over the course of each fiscal year.
Although O-1 visas do not have an annual numerical cap, the number issued in a given year depends on demand and the number of eligible applicants prepared to meet the regulatory standards.
Sources:
- Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-8/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-214/subpart-A/section-214.2
- USCIS. https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-workers/o-1-visa-individuals-with-extraordinary-ability-or-achievement
- U.S. Department of State. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-statistics/nonimmigrant-visa-statistics.html