Freelance Management Agreement for O-1B Visa Procurement

Trust the O1 Experts to help you secure an O-1B Visa for individuals with extraordinary ability in the arts or achievements in the television industry.

Contact Us for Assistance With Getting Your O-1B 

If you are looking to obtain an O-1B visa for residency in the United States, the O1 Experts are here to help! Contact us to set up a freelance management agreement to help ensure you meet all requirements and criteria. Please don't hesitate to reach out with questions. 

What Is an O-1B Visa?

The O-1B visa is part of the O visa group, which includes several categories catering to individuals with exceptional abilities or achievements in the arts. The O-1B visa specifically targets individuals with extraordinary ability or achievement in the television industry. 

What is the Purpose of an O-1B Visa?

The primary purpose of the O-1B visa is to enable individuals with extraordinary artistic talent to come to the United States temporarily to work and share their expertise. By doing so, they contribute to the country's cultural landscape while engaging in activities that enhance their careers.

How to Apply for an O-1B Visa

Applying for an O-1B visa involves several steps and requires specific documentation to demonstrate the applicant's extraordinary ability or achievement. We will help you with this process, but let's go over how it works to give you a general idea. 

Find a Sponsor

O-1B visa applicants must have a U.S.-based employer, agent, or representative who serves as their sponsor. This sponsor is responsible for initiating and supporting the visa application process.

Gather Documentation

Applicants must compile evidence of their extraordinary ability or achievement in their artistic field. This may include awards, recognition, critical reviews, publications, exhibitions, press articles, or any other relevant accomplishments.

File Form I-129

The sponsor submits Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on behalf of the applicant. This form serves as the official petition for the O-1B visa.

Include Supporting Documents

Along with Form I-129, applicants must submit a comprehensive package of supporting documents that substantiate their extraordinary ability or achievement. This may include letters of recommendation, contracts, itineraries, and any other relevant materials.

Wait for Approval

Once USCIS receives the petition, they review the application and supporting documents. If approved, the applicant can proceed with the visa application process at a U.S. consulate or embassy in their home country.

Attend Visa Interview

Applicants must attend an interview at the U.S. consulate or embassy in their home country. During the interview, they may be asked about their background, qualifications, and intended activities in the United States.

Receive Visa and Travel to the U.S.

Upon successful completion of the interview and any additional processing, approved applicants receive their O-1B visa. They can then travel to the United States and begin their authorized activities.

O-1B Visa Requirements and O-1B Visa Criteria

To qualify for an O-1B visa, applicants must meet specific requirements and criteria outlined by USCIS. We will help you gather everything necessary to meet these visa requirements and criteria as part of our process.

Extraordinary Ability

Applicants must demonstrate extraordinary ability in the arts, which means they are recognized as prominent and distinguished in their field.

Sponsorship

Applicants must have a U.S.-based employer, agent, or representative who serves as their sponsor and files the petition on their behalf.

Documentation

This was covered in the previous section, but it is important to reinforce that applicants must provide extensive documentation that proves their extraordinary ability or achievement. There are various forms of acceptable documentation that we can help you gather to meet the requirements. 

Duration of Stay

The O-1B visa allows individuals to stay in the United States for the duration of their approved activities, which is typically up to three years. Extensions are possible, with a maximum total stay of up to five years.

No Dual Intent 

Unlike some other visa categories, such as the H-1B visa, the O-1B visa does not require applicants to demonstrate non-immigrant intent. However, applicants must intend to return to their home country upon completion of their authorized activities in the U.S.

Benefits of Having an O-1B Visa

Obtaining an O-1B visa offers several benefits for talented artists and performers, including:

• Work Authorization: O-1B visa holders have authorization to work in their field of expertise in the United States for the duration of their visa.
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• Flexibility: The O-1B visa is flexible, allowing individuals to engage in various artistic activities, performances, exhibitions, or projects during their stay in the U.S.
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• Dependents: O-1B visa holders can bring their spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 to the United States on O-3 visas. While dependents cannot work, they are allowed to attend school or college.
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• Opportunities for Advancement: Working in the United States can provide talented artists and performers with valuable opportunities for career advancement, networking, and professional development.
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• Path to Permanent Residency: While the O-1B visa itself is a non-immigrant visa, it can serve as a stepping stone toward obtaining permanent residency in the United States for individuals who wish to pursue long-term opportunities in the country through an E-1B visa.

Why Work With O1 Experts

Aside from our experience in securing different types of visas for people, O1 Experts provides several competitive advantages over other third-party freelance management agreement companies. 

One of the biggest draws is that we don't take a percentage of any income earned. We only charge an upfront fee for our assistance with your application. It's your money that you earned while working in the U.S., and we think you deserve to keep it. 

With us as your freelance management team, there is also more negotiating power when signing your contract, putting you in the best position possible. 

How Much Does an O-1B Visa Cost?

There are several fees associated with the O1 visa category. There is a required I-129 filing fee of $460. The fee for Form DS-160 is $190 and must be paid when filing. If you are between the ages of 14 and 79, you may also need to pay an additional $85 biometrics fee.

It is possible to expedite the visa application process, but this carries an additional fee. Expedited applications can be resolved in as little as 15 calendar days.

With O1 Experts, you only pay an upfront fee for our assistance with your application. We do not take any percentage of income from jobs worked in the United States with your O-1B extraordinary ability visa. 

The O1 Experts Process

Step One: Contact Us to Set Up the Freelance Management Agreement

Reach out to O1 Experts to kickstart the process of applying for your O-1B visa. We can provide more information on what you need and help you determine what you need to gather based on what you already have available. 

Step Two: Determine Eligibility

Our team will assess your eligibility for obtaining an O-1B visa to prevent you from wasting time with an application that won't be accepted. 

Step Three: Gather Necessary Paperwork

We'll help with the legwork of gathering documentation to include with your application. Any paperwork you have would be helpful in speeding up the process, but our team can also help find acceptable references to meet the application criteria. 

Step Four: Submit Application

Once the application is put together, we will submit it on your behalf through our Vermont service center. 

Reach Out Today and Secure Your O-1B Visa

Don't miss out on viable work opportunities because you still haven't obtained your visa! Allow us to help you compile a strong application so you can secure your visa and start accepting jobs in the television industry. 

O-1B Visa FAQs

What happens if my O-1B visa expires?

If your O-1B visa expires and you wish to continue working in the United States, you may be eligible to apply for an extension of stay. You can also explore other visa options or seek legal advice to determine the best course of action based on your individual circumstances.

Can I change employers on an O-1B visa?

Yes, O-1B visa holders can change employers in the United States. However, the new employer must file a new Form I-129 petition on behalf of the visa holder, and USCIS must approve the petition before the individual can begin working for the new employer. O-1B visas are great because they have job flexibility, increasing your employment chances for the duration of your stay.

What is the processing time for an O-1B visa application?

The processing time for an O-1B visa application can vary depending on several factors, including USCIS workload, the completeness of the application package, and any requests for additional evidence. We recommend submitting the application well in advance of the intended travel or work start date to allow for sufficient processing time.

Is there a limit on the number of O-1B visas issued each year?

There is no annual limit on the number of O-1B visas issued each year, unlike some other visa categories. 

O-1 Visa FAQ

What Is an O-1 Sponsorship?

O-1 sponsorship refers to the petition process a U.S. employer or O-1 visa agency files on behalf of an O-1 visa candidate. The sponsoring organization vouches for the applicant's extraordinary abilities and achievements in their field.

[O-1 Visa Sponsorship] 

What Is an O-1 Visa Lawyer?

An O-1 visa lawyer can advise on eligibility, liaise with sponsoring organizations, and represent clients throughout the petition process. Their legal expertise is invaluable for navigating O-1 visa requirements.

[O-1 Visa Lawyer] 

Who Can Get an EB1 Visa?

The EB1 visa is an employment-based green card for individuals of extraordinary ability, outstanding researchers, and multinational managers. It is similar to an O-1 but leads to permanent U.S. residency rather than a temporary work visa.

[The EB1 Visa] 

What Is an O-1 Artist Visa?

An O-1 artist visa is for individuals who have achieved national or international acclaim in the arts and would like to work in the U.S. for a specific period.

[O-1 Artist Visa] 

What Is an O-1 Entertainment Visa?

The O-1 entertainment visa allows individuals with extraordinary achievements in television, motion pictures, and other entertainment fields to work in the U.S. for a sponsoring employer or agent.

[O-1 Entertainment Visa] 

What Is an O-1 Visa Petition?

An O-1 visa petition is the application package submitted to USCIS by the U.S. employer or agent seeking to hire or represent the O-1 visa candidate. To meet the O-1 visa criteria, the petition must demonstrate the individual's extraordinary abilities and achievements.

[O-1 Visa Petition]