O-1A / O-1B Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement
The O-1 is for people with extraordinary ability shown by sustained national or international acclaim. O-1A covers sciences, education, business and athletics; O-1B covers the arts and film and TV. A US employer or US agent petitions with evidence meeting set criteria and a written advisory opinion from a peer group or expert. There is no annual cap or degree requirement.
3 entry rules for United States based on recent travel
These apply to people who were recently in certain countries. Sign in and add your trips to see whether any apply to you.
Entry refused after a stay in DR Congo, Uganda, South Sudan in the last 21 days
If you're not a US citizen and you've been in DR Congo, Uganda or South Sudan in the last 21 days, you can't enter the United States. This includes green card holders. The US government renewed this on 11 October 2026 for another 30 days.
CDC Order: Suspending the Right to Introduce Certain Persons... (order history) Federal Register 2026-18948 (Sept 16, 2026 continuation) CDC: Information for Travelers Returning from Ebola-Affected Areas (updated Sep 11, 2026) Checked October 19, 2026
Entry refused after a stay in DR Congo in the last 21 days
Anyone who has been in DR Congo in the last 21 days, Americans included, can't board a commercial flight to the United States. US citizens are asked to wait outside DR Congo for 21 days before flying.
CDC: Information for Travelers Returning from Ebola-Affected Areas CDC Travel Health Notice Level 2: Ebola Bundibugyo in DRC and Uganda (reviewed Aug 28, 2026) Checked October 19, 2026
Health screening after a stay in Uganda, South Sudan in the last 21 days
US citizens who have been in Uganda or South Sudan in the last 21 days must fly into Washington-Dulles, Atlanta or New York JFK for a health check, and get text-message check-ins for 21 days.
CDC: Information for Travelers Returning from Ebola-Affected Areas CDC: Enhanced Ebola Airport Screening Begins at Washington-Dulles Checked October 19, 2026
Entry restrictions apply to 20 passports for United States
The government has suspended some or all visas for holders of these passports. Exceptions exist; see the source.
- Afghanistan
- Burkina Faso
- Chad
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Haiti
- Iran
- Laos
- Libya
- Mali
- Myanmar (Burma)
- Niger
- Palestinian Territories
- Republic of the Congo
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Syria
- Yemen
Afghanistan
Burkina Faso
Chad
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Haiti
Iran
Laos
Libya
Mali
Myanmar (Burma)
Niger
Palestinian Territories
Republic of the Congo
Sierra Leone
Somalia
South Sudan
Sudan
Syria
YemenSource: Proclamation 10949 - Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals To Protect the United States From Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats (Federal Register, 10 Jun 2025)Source: Proclamation 10998 - Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals To Protect the Security of the United States (Federal Register, 19 Dec 2025)Source: Proclamation 10998 full text (GovInfo)Source: U.S. Department of State - Suspension of Visa Issuance to Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United StatesSource: Presidential Determination on Refugee Admissions for FY2027 (Federal Register, 2 Oct 2026) - cites Proclamation 10998 as in force
Life in United States
Money
3
Currency
US Dollar
USD
US Dollar
Cost of living
100
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
10–37%
Income tax (national)
social security 7.65%
Federal rates; most states and some cities add their own income tax. 37% starts above USD 626,350 (single, 2025).
Living
1
Happiness
#22 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Your edge here Members
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Working in your field Members
Whether you need a licence or registration to work in your field here
Who it’s for
Top professionals, researchers, founders, athletes, artists and entertainers with a strong record of recognised achievement and US work lined up.
Eligibility
Extraordinary ability (O-1A)O-1A
You must be among the small percentage at the very top of your field in science, education, business or athletics, with sustained national or international acclaim.
O-1A evidenceO-1A
A major international award (such as a Nobel Prize), or at least three of the listed types of evidence, such as awards, selective memberships, media coverage, judging others' work, original contributions, scholarly articles, critical roles, or high pay.
Distinction in the arts (O-1B)O-1B arts
You must be prominent, renowned or leading in the arts, with skill and recognition substantially above the norm.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirementExtraordinary achievement in film/TV (O-1B)
- Document checklistForm I-129 with O and P Classifications Supplement
- FeesForm I-129 O base fee (paper)
The full requirements are for members
Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.
- 5 more requirements
- 7 documents
- 6 fees
- 7 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Places to visit in United States
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
Finding places for you…
Official sources
Other routes to United States
- Visit & tourismB-1/B-2 visitor visa
- StudyF-1 Academic Student
- Permanent residenceDiversity Immigrant Visa Program
- FamilyImmigrant Visa for Spouse of a US Citizen
- Investors & entrepreneursEB-5 Immigrant Investor Program
- Asylum & protectionAsylum
Work permits in other countries
- UzbekistanWork permit and work visa
- St. Vincent & GrenadinesSt Vincent and the Grenadines Work Permit
- VenezuelaTransient worker visa
- British Virgin IslandsBVI work permit (Labour Code) with Immigration entry permit
- VietnamWork permit for foreign workers in Vietnam (Giấy phép lao động) with LĐ temporary residence card
- VanuatuEmployment Visa and Short-Term Employment Visa
