Hi all, Apple is applying for an O1 visa for me. The lawyers at Fragomen think I have an OK case. I have furnished solid reference letters and seem to (barely) qualify 4 of the 8 criterions listed on the USCIS website. The application is now being prepared to be submitted to USCIS with premium processing. If you have been through this process, what was your experience like? Any learnings that could help my case. Many thanks,
I think op meant “application is NOW being prepared” 😏
Oops. I had a typo in OP. I meant to say ‘now’ and not ‘not’. No problem with premium processing. I was wondering what did the lawyers say your chances were when you started? I didn’t get an overwhelmingly positive feel but it may be how lawyers operate. Also, what’s the GC route post O1 and how is Apple approaching this?
They won’t give you any estimate to cover their asses. Basically if you have a PhD, papers in major conferences and journals, have reviewed others papers, and have patents, then you’re good to go.
Regarding GC it would have been best to negotiate that with the offer and put that in writing. In my case I didn’t, but I got my manager to OK applying within a year after I joined (which is nothing special btw). Other companies actually apply right away.
Out of curiosity, why O1 vs h1b? Check this out: https://nfap.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/H-1B-Denial-and-RFE-Increase.NFAP-Policy-Brief.July-2018.pdf
You obviously don't know what the O1 visa is Clueless... "The O-1 nonimmigrant visa is for the individual who possesses extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics..."
Seeing how H1B/L1 is abused by consultancies/sweatshops, makes sense that FAANG would try to abuse O1.
O1 is much better than H1B because it has a higher bar and is == EB1B. Apply EB1B with premium processing right after O1 approval and u can get it as soon as 2 weeks
Also, no renewal limit, if you don’t care for a GC, you can renew your O1 forever as opposed to h1b limited times it can be renewed
But! You cannot transfer O1 to a different company if you want to change jobs. It’s tied to the sponsoring company. You’d need to process a new O1 if you wanted to jump ships.
Is it true that they only grant you one time entry into US every time you do O1 visa stamp?
I got my o1 visa recently...when I first applied I got an rfe requesting more info about my role...after responding to rfe I got it approved
Thanks. How long was the process in its entirety
We did premium processing when first applied and also when responding to rfe. But preparing the documentation for rfe by the law firm took 2 months. I submitted the docs to law firm feb 28 and got my final approval June 18.
Thanks! Please let me know if u get any info on job change with O1. I am planning to switch jobs soon reapplying o1 is freaking me out! I feel like I might have to retire n die here in oregon only
Seems your new employer will have to file an O1 per Avvo: https://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/how-difficult-is-it-to-change-employer-on-an-o1-vi-2134575.html
I missed H1B lottery twice and intel filed for O1. After getting O1 approved, they applied for eb1 using the same documentations to get me a GC. At that time, i had a phd with 10+ publication, 100 citations, best paper awards, etc..
I joined Apple with O1 just a few weeks back. Why aren’t they doing premium processing?? Did they give you any reason? Also, I’ll be happy to answer any questions, as long as you get a bit more specific.