The U.S. immigration system recognizes the importance of admitting individuals of extraordinary ability into the U.S.
The O-1 visa applies to individuals with extraordinary ability in the sciences, education, business, athletics, arts, motion pictures or television. This category requires a U.S. employer to petition for a foreign national and submit extensive evidence of the foreign national's prominent position internationally in his or her field of expertise. The documentation for individuals with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business or athletics (the O-1A) must demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim.
For individuals in motion pictures and TV productions (the O-1B), the application must document that the person has a demonstrated record of extraordinary achievement. There is also a visa category, the O-2, for foreign nationals accompanying an O-1 artist or athlete to assist in a specific event or performance.
There is no statutory provision for foreign nationals to accompany scientists, educators, or business people. Dependents of persons qualifying for O-1 and O-2 status may join them in the United States under the O-3 visa category.
The P-1 visa category is available for athletes coming to the U.S. temporarily to perform at a specific athletic competition at an internationally recognized level or performance, and members of an internationally recognized foreign-based entertainment group coming to the U.S. temporarily to perform as part of that group. P-1 visas are also available for essential support personnel and P-4 visas are available for dependent spouses and children.
Artists and entertainers coming to the U.S. temporarily to perform individually or as part of a group under a reciprocal exchange program between an organization in the U.S. and an organization in another country may qualify for P-2 status. P-2 visas are also available for essential support personnel and P-4 visas are available for dependent spouses and children.
Q-1 visas are available to foreign nationals participating in an international cultural exchange program approved by the Attorney General for the purpose of providing practical training, employment, and the sharing of history, culture and traditions of the foreign national's home country.
Newly displayed on pages throughout our website are a selection of paintings and graphics from the Bander & Associates Corporate Art Collection, many of which are the work of former and current clients who have become residents and then citizens because of their extraordinary ability. The painting in this section is by Amparo Garzon . 
