5-Day Talent Visa Course | Day 2 | Unshackled Community

Summary

The script outlines the criteria for obtaining an O-1A or EB-1A talent visa, clarifying that these are not exclusive to Nobel laureates or Olympic athletes. It details eight 'pillars' or criteria, including original contributions, critical capacity, judging work, awards, scholarly articles, press coverage, high salary, and memberships, emphasizing that meeting at least three of these can qualify an applicant for an O-1A visa. The EB-1A has a higher bar, as it leads to a green card. The speaker promises to address the key questions for visa applicants in the next lesson.

Takeaways

• 🏆 The O1A and EB1A visas are for individuals with extraordinary ability, not just Nobel Prize winners or Olympic athletes.
• 📋 The visa application is assessed through eight criteria, often referred to as the 'eight pillars', to measure the applicant's extraordinary ability.
• 💡 Pillar one emphasizes the need for original contributions, such as creating something novel and valuable in one's field.
• 🔑 Pillar two focuses on the applicant's critical capacity, showing they play a key role in a distinguished company.
• 👨‍⚖️ Pillar three looks at the applicant's experience as a judge in their field, excluding general judging roles.
• 🏅 Pillar four requires evidence of receiving prestigious awards or recognitions in the applicant's field.
• 📚 Pillar five asks for scholarly articles or publications that the applicant has contributed to, with an editorial process.
• 📰 Pillar six checks for media coverage or professional publications about the applicant or their work in distinguished outlets.
• 💼 Pillar seven inquires about the applicant's high salary, being in the top 10th percentile for their job role and location.
• 🎖️ Pillar eight examines memberships in organizations that require outstanding achievements and are judged by field experts.
• 📝 Meeting three out of these eight criteria generally qualifies an applicant for an O1A visa, while the EB1A has a higher standard as it leads to a green card.

Q & A

What are Talent Visas like the O-1A and EB-1A typically for?

Talent Visas like the O-1A and EB-1A are for individuals who have extraordinary ability in their respective fields, not just for Nobel Prize winners and Olympic athletes.

How are applicants measured for their extraordinary ability if they do not have prestigious awards?

Applicants are measured through eight criteria or 'pillars' which assess original contributions, critical capacity, judging, awards, scholarly articles, publications, high salary, and memberships.

What is the first pillar, Original Contribution, about?

The first pillar evaluates whether the applicant has created something novel and valuable in their field, such as a software product, hardware product, mobile app, book, or research paper, and if it has had an impact.

What does the Critical Capacity pillar require to show?

The Critical Capacity pillar requires showing that the applicant plays a critical role in a reasonably distinguished company, beyond just being a good employee with high performance evaluations.

What does the Judging pillar involve?

The Judging pillar involves demonstrating that the applicant has judged the work of others in their field, such as at hackathons, pitch competitions, or through peer reviews, but general judging does not count.

What types of awards are considered under the Awards pillar?

The Awards pillar considers prestigious awards in the applicant's field, which can include grants, PhD scholarships, funding from top-tier funds, or being listed among distinguished experts.

How does the Scholarly Articles pillar differ from the Publications pillar?

The Scholarly Articles pillar focuses on the applicant's contributions to their field through books, papers, or articles that have undergone an editorial process, while Publications refer to media coverage of the applicant or their work.

What is the significance of the High Salary pillar?

The High Salary pillar assesses whether the applicant is or will be paid in the top 10th percentile for their job role and location, indicating exceptional compensation for their expertise.

What does the Memberships pillar require?

The Memberships pillar requires that the applicant has been part of an organization that requires outstanding achievements for membership and is judged by experts at the top of their fields.

How many of the eight criteria must an applicant meet to qualify for an O-1A visa?

An applicant must provide sufficient evidence to show that they meet at least three out of the eight criteria to qualify for an O-1A visa.

What is the main difference between the requirements for an EB-1A and an O-1A visa?

While both visas have similar requirements, the bar for an EB-1A is higher because it grants access to a green card, whereas the O-1A is a temporary work visa.