Proven Technique to Persuade Your Employer for Your O-1 Visa Sponsorship
“As I am currently in STEM OPT, my H-1B application wasn’t selected in this year’s lottery. I have one more chance, and my employer is willing to sponsor me again next year. However, I am concerned about what to do if I don’t get selected, as the H-1B lottery is random and not based on merit.” This is a major concern for many F-1 visa students.
If you’re facing the same situation, here are some recommendations for you.
One viable alternative to H-1B is preparing for the EB-1A green card. As you build your EB-1A profile, you may find that it aligns with the requirements of an O-1 visa at some point.
Despite the long processing times for EB-1A green cards for Indians due to priority dates, you can file for an O-1 visa first to secure your legal status to work in the US. The O-1 visa generally offers faster processing times. You also have the option to request premium processing, which provides an outcome within 15 days.
A common follow-up question from F-1 students is, “My employer is not ready to file for my O-1 Visa. What can I do now?”
An O-1 visa can be sponsored by either an employer or an agent. However, for tech professionals, their employer is the most common and straightforward option for O1 visa sponsorship.
In this blog, we will explain how you can convince your employer to provide O1 visa sponsorship through step-by-step actionable guidance. Let’s get started.
1. Understand the O-1 Visa Eligibility
To qualify for an O1 visa, you must demonstrate extraordinary ability in science, education, business, or sports. You must also show sustained national or international acclaim and be entering the US to work in your field of extraordinary ability.
While the requirements for the EB-1A and O-1 visas align, qualifying for an O-1 visa does not meet the higher bar set by the EB-1A.
2. Gather Evidence Documentation
To satisfy the O1 visa requirements, gather strong evidence that demonstrates your extraordinary ability in the field by meeting at least three of the O1 visa criteria. This may include:
- Nationally or internationally recognized awards
- Memberships in elite organizations
- Media coverage discussing your work
- Performance in a critical role for an organization, etc.
3. Convincing Your Employer for O-1 Visa Sponsorship
Once you gather the evidence to satisfy O1 visa requirements, you should prepare either an email or a presentation to convince your employer to obtain O1 visa sponsorship. Here are the key elements to include.
1. State Your Area of Expertise
Clearly describe your niche expertise that qualifies you for an O-1 visa.
Example: I specialize in digital transformation, which qualifies me for an O-1 visa.
2. Summarize How You Meet at Least Three O-1 Visa Criteria
Provide a concise summary of your achievements that address the O-1 visa criteria.
Examples:
Original Contribution Criteria: My paper has been cited by prominent researchers in the field, and I have recommendation letters from several of them stating how my work benefited them.
Scholarly Articles: I have authored 10 significant papers in the field that were published in professional journals.
3. Highlight the Benefits of O-1 Visa Sponsorship
Explain how the O-1 visa will benefit both you and the company.
Examples: Securing an O-1 visa will allow me to travel internationally for work, benefiting the company’s global reach.
Emphasize how the O-1 visa supports your dedication to the company, ensuring stability in ongoing projects.
Conclusion
Schedule a presentation or send an effective email detailing your qualifications for an O-1 visa and the benefits of sponsoring you. This will help persuade your employer to support your O-1 visa application. Be prepared to address any concerns your employer may have regarding the process, eligibility, or costs.
To secure O-1 visa sponsorship from your employer, ensure that your email or presentation requesting sponsorship is concise, as both your employer and your company’s legal team are often busy.
At the Smart Green Card VIP plan, we have assisted many individuals in applying for an O-1 visa as part of their EB-1A profile-building process, with successful approvals.
If you need assistance and guidance in building a compelling EB-1A profile, explore the Smart Green Card VIP.
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