United States · Work
United States O-1 Extraordinary ability
First stay: 3 yrs
O-1 Extraordinary Ability or Achievement
First checked against official sources on Change log
Key facts
O-1 Extraordinary ability is a work route for United States. Local work: limited. Checked 2026-10-10 against the official source.
- Government fees
- $1,055
- First stay
- 3 yrs
Cost, time and long term
Government fees$1,055
- $1,055Form I-129 for O petitions (USD 1,005 online; USD 530 small employer or nonprofit).
RenewalRenewable
Stay is for up to 3 years and can be extended in steps of up to 1 year to continue the same event or activity.
CitizenshipTime here doesn't count
Naturalisation requires years of lawful permanent resident status (5 years, or 3 if married to a U.S. citizen), so time in this temporary status does not count toward it.
Why this route may not fit
Check this before you apply.
- Time on this route doesn't count toward citizenship
- Needs a job offer from an employer in United States
- Work rights are limited
What you'll need
Who can apply1
- A U.S. employer, a U.S. agent, or a foreign employer through a U.S. agent files Form I-129.
What you must show and pay1
- A fee of $1,055 · Form I-129 for O petitions (USD 1,005 online; USD 530 small employer or nonprofit).
Documents4
- At least three types of evidence from the regulatory list, or comparable evidence, are required.
- A written advisory opinion from a peer group or expert is required.
- The contract or terms of employment are required.
- Itineraries are required where applicable.
Steps1
- Filing is allowed no more than one year before services are needed.
When you become tax resident
How United States decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.
- Stay on this route
Up to 3 years at first, renewable
- Tax residence
- At least 31 days in the current calendar yearMinimum days of presence in the current year.
- At least 183 days in the current year plus two preceding years (weighted 1, 1/3, 1/6)Weighted days of presence over the three-year period.
- Foreign-source income
U.S. citizens and resident aliens are taxed on worldwide income at the graduated rates that apply to citizens; non-residents are taxed on U.S.-source income under Form 1040-NR rules.
All tax rules for United States Tax records checked
Full official text
Nonimmigrant status for individuals with sustained national or international acclaim in sciences, arts, education, business or athletics, or a record of extraordinary achievement in motion pictures or television. 1 2
What you must show and pay
- A fee of $1,055 · Form I-129 for O petitions (USD 1,005 online; USD 530 small employer or nonprofit). 2
Requirements
- A U.S. employer, a U.S. agent, or a foreign employer through a U.S. agent files Form I-129. 1
- At least three types of evidence from the regulatory list, or comparable evidence, are required. 1
- A written advisory opinion from a peer group or expert is required. 1
- The contract or terms of employment are required. 1
- Itineraries are required where applicable. 1
- Filing is allowed no more than one year before services are needed. 1
Stay
- Initial period up to 3 years; extensions in increments of up to 1 year to continue the same event or activity; admission 10 days before and after the validity period.
- First stay: up to 36 months, decided case by case.
- Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.
Nationality
No nationality restriction.
Work
Work authorised only during the validity period and for the petitioner(s).
Family
O-3 for spouse and children under 21; O-2 support staff have separate petitions.
Official sources
- O-1 Visa: Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement · U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · checked 2026-10-10
- Form G-1055, Fee Schedule (edition 10/07/26) · U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · checked 2026-10-12 · published 2026-10-07
- USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 12, Part D, Chapter 2: Lawful permanent resident admission for naturalization · U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · checked 2026-10-11
- I am married to a U.S. citizen (naturalization) · U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · checked 2026-10-11
O-1 Extraordinary ability and its alternatives
| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| O-1 Extraordinary ability | – | 3 yr, renewable | Limited |
| E-3 Australian specialty | – | 2 yr, renewable | – |
| EB-1B Outstanding researcher | – | – | – |
| EB-1C Multinational manager | – | – | – |
| EB-2 Advanced degree | – | – | – |
Questions people ask
How much money do I need for the O-1 Extraordinary ability?
A fee of $1,055. Form I-129 for O petitions (USD 1,005 online; USD 530 small employer or nonprofit).
How long can I stay on the O-1 Extraordinary ability?
Initial period up to 3 years; extensions in increments of up to 1 year to continue the same event or activity; admission 10 days before and after the validity period.
Can I work on the O-1 Extraordinary ability?
Limited. Work authorised only during the validity period and for the petitioner(s).
Can I bring my family on the O-1 Extraordinary ability?
O-3 for spouse and children under 21; O-2 support staff have separate petitions.
How are O-1 Extraordinary ability holders taxed in United States?
No special regime in our records is tied to the O-1 Extraordinary ability. The standard rules apply: U.S. citizens and resident aliens are taxed on worldwide income at the graduated rates that apply to citizens; non-residents are taxed on U.S.-source income under Form 1040-NR rules.
More in United States
Work visas elsewhere
≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.
Ask the AI about this route AI
An AI assistant answers from the published records on this page and cites them. It can't assess your personal eligibility. Don't include personal details.
How this was checked
Checked on 2026-10-10 against 4 official sources. Status: verified against the official sources.
Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.
- O-1 Visa: Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement · U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · checked 2026-10-10
- Form G-1055, Fee Schedule (edition 10/07/26) · U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · checked 2026-10-12
- USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 12, Part D, Chapter 2: Lawful permanent resident admission for naturalization · U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · checked 2026-10-11
- I am married to a U.S. citizen (naturalization) · U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · checked 2026-10-11
Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the changes page, and the methodology page explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email contact@stayglobe.app with a link to the official source.