O-1 Visa

Business or Employment Related Travel to the USA During Ban - National Interest Exception NIE

The travel bans necessitated by the COVID pandemic have created much flux and uncertainty. Synthesizing the information now finally available from various US government sources, it is clearer now that many intending travelers can seek and obtain an exemption from the ban under a series of provisions for a National Interest Exception (NIE).

 

Do you Qualify for an NIE?

 

You should be able to apply for an NIE to overcome the ban on travel to the USA if you meet any one or more of the following categories:
 

O-1B Extension and Authorized Period of Stay

Question details

I have been in the US for six years. First O-1B expired on Feb15, sent in application for the 2nd O-1B already in December. The itinerary wasn't sufficient, response due by April 26th, ready to send in the completed itinerary plus additional letters of intended employment. My household is in New York. I am still here. Am I illegal now? Is there a grace period?

As long as you had filed your extension application before expiration of the current status, you are not illegal as long as the case is pending. You are in

Changing from J-1 to O-1

Question details

Can I change from J-1 to O-1 without meeting the home residency requirement or getting a waiver?

You can apply for the O-1 category and, upon receipt of the approval notice, you will be required to obtain the O-1 Visa at a U.S. consulate abroad.

Guestbook Entry for DC, United States

Name
DC
Country
United States
State
VA
Comment

I was very impressed with Mr. Rajiv's consultation regarding my legal requirement. I found him very knowledgeable and down to earth person. He suggested me other alternatives to me which I was not even thinking about, and that costs me less also. I will definitely choose his services for all my legal needs and I wish good luck to him and his team.

Guestbook Entry for Raghava, United States

Name
Raghava
Country
United States
State
MD
Comment

I have worked with Ms. Diane Lombardo and Mr. Khanna from past several years for my O-1 visa, J1 Waiver and GC. Diane and Mr. Khanna are always very accommodating and helpful.  They have guided me through the entire process diligently and professionally. I have very truly recommend them to my friends without any second thoughts.

Spouse of an O-1 - next step to Green Card

Question details

I am the spouse of an O-1 visa holder and we live in the US (so I am on an O-3). His company is putting together the application for his green card, but do they need to do a separate one for me too? Or do I get one automatically if he gets one? Or do I have to wait until he gets one and then he applies for one for me? And what about our children - too young to work yet, but want to make sure they are ok too.

The way it works is that the company can file everyone's AOS (Form I-485) together OR they can first get your husband's I-140 approval and leave you to file the last step (AOS) for the family.

O-1 renewal

Question details

I would like to know the travel restrictions to renew O-1 visa within the US. I heard that it is better to go back to your citizenship country to renew it in order to get the same visa as I have now where I can travel with no restrictions.

You should be able to get an O-1 visa stamping in any country.