Hi,
my H1B expires in a few months. I am pursuing the possibility of applying for
an O1 visa. I have the following questions in this regards:
1) If your H1 expires while your O1 petition is pending,
a) can you continue to work (I heard that there is a 3 mo grace period for H1 extensions)
b) can you continue to stay in the country (my lawyer told me so).
2) What are the typical processing times for O1 petitions. I went to www.shusterman.com
to find out. From the info there, I gather that O1 petition is filed using form I-129 (with
an addendum?), and the processing times for I-129 seem to be 3-5 months (as for usual
H1B petitions). So what is the skinny? Is an I-129 with O1 category processed faster
than a new/renewal H1B petition?
3) Another bit of impression I gathered from a lawyer is that an O1 petition is somewhat similar to EB1-extra ordinary ability instead of my earlier impression that it is akin to EB1-outstanding researcher, in terms of the standards expected of your research accomplishments. If the "EB1/O1 gurus" out there could elaborate on this point, it\'d be
very helpful.
I would very much appreciate your responses.
Thanks!
mvr
my H1B expires in a few months. I am pursuing the possibility of applying for
an O1 visa. I have the following questions in this regards:
1) If your H1 expires while your O1 petition is pending,
a) can you continue to work (I heard that there is a 3 mo grace period for H1 extensions)
b) can you continue to stay in the country (my lawyer told me so).
2) What are the typical processing times for O1 petitions. I went to www.shusterman.com
to find out. From the info there, I gather that O1 petition is filed using form I-129 (with
an addendum?), and the processing times for I-129 seem to be 3-5 months (as for usual
H1B petitions). So what is the skinny? Is an I-129 with O1 category processed faster
than a new/renewal H1B petition?
3) Another bit of impression I gathered from a lawyer is that an O1 petition is somewhat similar to EB1-extra ordinary ability instead of my earlier impression that it is akin to EB1-outstanding researcher, in terms of the standards expected of your research accomplishments. If the "EB1/O1 gurus" out there could elaborate on this point, it\'d be
very helpful.
I would very much appreciate your responses.
Thanks!
mvr