J1 Visa to O1 Visa

[maximus217]

How hard it is to change a J1 Visa to an O1 Visa? What are the requirements? How long does it take to change it? If you live in US, do you need to leave the county when applying for an O1 Visa? Can you file a permanent residency after 3 years in an O1 Visa?

 

[running_swede]

The O visa does not remove the 2-year HRR, so you would not be able to file for permanent residency until you get a waiver (or return to your country for 2 years). In principle, however, you could stay indefinitely on an O visa, but you would have to renew every year after the first three years.

Just Google "o-1 visa" to get a list of requirements.

 

[thevisaexpert]

Make sure when you file for O-1 visa that you have plenty of documentary evidence to demonstrate your extraordinary ability. If you are just finishing with school this may be difficult to prove as work completed as a student as well as college-level awards are not given much weight. You will need to be careful doing this change of status. The O-1 level is that of extraordinary, if you were on a J-1 training visa it is a bit contradictory that you are a trainee as well as an expert in the field.

If you are not subject to the 2-year home residency requirement you can change status from J-1 to O-1, pending a successful approval. Processing times vary. Check www.uscis.gov for your service center's processing times. Typically O-1 visa holders apply for EB-1 (self-sponsored green card based on extraordinary ability), assuming the level of expertise and documentary evidence is sufficient. (info@thevisaexpert.com)