What is the O visa [or the O1 Visa ] ?

By the time you finish reading this post, your face might possibly carry the same expression as this dude in the pic . [(But then, I have a habit of exaggerating ;-) ]



The O1 Visa is a temporary work visa (like the H1 Visa) for those individuals who have documentation to show "extraordinary ability" in his/her field of sciences, education, arts, athletes, and business. And just like the H1b visa, this visa has to be 'sponsored' by a US employer.

Q. Can IMGs get the O1 visa ?

A. Yes, some IMGs have O1-visas for fellowships and even residencies (pretty rare but not impossible). This would need filing a lot of publications, excellent recommendations and other demonstrated ability of excellence in medical field (awards, patents, etc.) . Another point on the importance of Research and Publications for IMGs ! Hmmm - To Read my post on the importance of Medical research for IMGs - Click Here

Q. What are the benefits of the O1-visa for IMGs over H1b and J1 ?

A.
a. The O1-visa also presents as an alternative to the 2-year Home requirement of the J1-visa if a waiver job is not found, that is, instead of going back home if an IMG cannot secure a J1-Waiver Job, they can continue to stay by switching onto a O1 directly, if they can do it. Ain't it sweet ??? But yeah, in such cases - the waiver job must still be done at some point before being eligible for the green card and the visa status must be obtained OUTSIDE the US. Again, the advantage, despite that, is that the J1-waiver-needing IMG can continue to hold the O1 until a waiver job comes by and not have to leave the country

b. O1 visa holders are granted for an initial period of 3-years, but then this can be extended by 1-year each year without limit ! Whoaaa ! This is why the J1-waiver-job needing IMG can continue to hold the O1 until a waiver job comes by.

c. H1b holders too can convert to O1 visa if their H1b time runs out and they still need a year or more to complete that fellowship.

d. O1 guys also enjoy applying for green card without the need for labor certification..this is probably how some residency programs can directly grant green cards to some IMGs. ( i need to find out more on that front though). As I mentioned in point a - the J1-waiver requirement must still be met for the J1-to-O1 IMGs before green card applications

All in all - the O-visa makes me go OOOoooooooooh.

But Alas, it is pretty tough to get this one, needs extensive documentation, the person has to be truly extraordinary ..in other words, after looking at your academic and achievement credentials, the employer or the program directory must carry the same expression like the dude above to feel inspired to sponsor a O1-visa for IMGs ;-)


Previous Reader Comments:

mandy said ... (3:01 AM) :

hey digidoc

regarding the A part of this post,while a J1 doc can get an O1 visa........but that still doesnt waive the 2 yr requirement......without waiver the doc still remains ineligible for a green card/H1

i personally know someone who got this O1 [for 1 yr] after J1 for the purpose of PGY-7 yr.....interventional pulmonology yr to be exact.....and he told me he still has to do a waiver job

so am sure bout this

Digitaldoc, MD said ... (6:46 AM) :

Thanks for the correction. I misinterpreted the source about the information and have now modified the post to reflect that. It is still a good thing for the waiver needing guys, since they can continue holding the O1 and stay in the US, until a waiver job comes by

Digitaldoc, MD said ... (6:48 AM) :

It will also be useful to all of us if you could share how he got his O1 . Thnx

mandy said ... (7:14 AM) :

hey digidoc

well he had more than 20 publications....and is like the darling of the department....he has done pulmonary med subspecialisation......wanted to further do 1 yr in interventional pulmonology....but had completed his J1 stay of 7 yr...so the department and the hospital agreed to sponsor an O1 for him

thats all i know......i dont the procedural details of how he went bout it

but i wud like to clarify....that he did both his residency and fellowship on a J1.....and only got the O1 for the advanced training year....and he will be doing a waiver job after that

Digitaldoc, MD said ... (7:23 AM) :

thanks again for the input - theoretically, the employer is allowed to initially sponsor an O1 upto three years depending on the requirement and then extend that in yearly increments without a limit.

In this case that you mentioned, the requirement was a year of fellowship completion and hence a 1-year O1, but some people can even join as faculty or a practicing physician after J1 status and can continue to hold an O1 in that status until a Waiver job comes by.
I know an IMG who became a pathology faculty and that itself was a J1-waiver job at a University..hmmm

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