How difficult is it to get an O1 visa?
In the current scenario, have the O1 visas been affected too? How tough is it now? Profile - undergrad engineer - founded a company as CEO, raised investments, became profitable and sold it for a few million dollars.
Just find a good immigration lawyer, O-1 are not as much as you achievements as the way the petition is redacted. Source: O-1 Visa Holder
Could you explain what you mean ?
O1 petitions are based on achievements (at least 3 categories) and are usually hundreds of pages long. The average time a USCIS inspector will spend on each application is around 30 min, so obviously they will not read carefully. Working with an experienced immigration lawyer who can focused on surfacing your achievements using a specific language/terminology can definitely improve your approval chances
Very doable with a strong background like yours. I have hired a few on O-1 in the past year.
Thanks all - is it considerably tougher to get to Eb1-A after O1?
No. Usually it’s a straight alley
O1 usually leads to EB1A yes, but it depends what OP will do next... Do you plan to start another company or anything related? If not you may not qualify for O1/EB1A as you need to show evidence of continued growth and international recognition in your field (business). edit: I would try to apply for EB1A with premium processing now before the dust settles in on the news around you and your company. Worst case you can still file O1 with the same case if it doesn’t work out.
To get an O-1 visa, you must demonstrate extraordinary ability in the fields of science, education, business or athletics. To demonstrate that you have extraordinary ability, you need to satisfy some of the evidentiary O-1 criteria specified by USCIS. Source: https://www.uscis.gov/working-united-states/temporary-workers/o-1-visa-individuals-extraordinary-ability-or-achievement
What qualifies as extraordinary ability based on the success rate? Is there anything other than PHD or publications that can make your O1 application?
To contribute to the discusion, I wish to share a bit about my o1 process. The whole process took about 4months from the first contact with the lawyers that drafted the petition, to my Visa stamp in the passport (drafting 3 months, submission and results 2 week, consulate appointment 1 week, passport returned 1 week). In the process we did not hit an RFE. Evidence was high sallary, over five recommendations from experts in the field, over 10 published papers at good venues, over 100 citations, and a handful of journal reviews).
Basically you have a PhD.
Any recommendation for a lawyer ?
You are good!