O1 visa denied reddit I’ve submitted my I-129 O1 worker visa application November 7th 2023. This makes the O-1 visa attractive for someone who does not have strong, continuing ties to her home country. Hi! I'm wondering how exactly some computer science folks managed to get an O1 visa in the past :) Of course I know the official requirements like "Membership in national associations with appropriate reputations that promote excellence" but what are these "national associations"? In Germany there is the VDI/VDE but I wonder if that counts as such an association. Pros Jul 16, 2009 路 Hi experts, I am planning to apply for EB1/NIW and maybe EB2 through a law firm. I know it’s sucks but they just assume you’re going to stay here. I graduated with a bachelor's in CS from a midwestern university and now work in one of Big Tech adjacent companies. I applied for a tourist visa because my friends and I wanted to go to Florida this summer. Please ensure you read the rules before posting or commenting. Technically accurate, but a little harsh. Recently, I changed my status from OPT (F1) to O1. r/immigration: A place to discuss US and Worldwide immigration news, politics, visas, green cards, raids, deportations, etc. I have seen people with 20 citations get O-1 (and their EB1 petitions got denied). How exceptional do I have to be? I'd like to apply for an O-1 visa as an artist. How common for this extension to get denied? I My H1B got terminated, I applied for a B2 visa, and it is still processing (USCIS case status still says, 'We received your Form I-539'). What evidence should I bring to immigration upon entry to prove that I DONT intend to stay past the limit? Immigration lawyer did a poor job on my application (O-1) So I was applying for an O-1 Visa since i think june. Hello Reddit it community, I turn to you with an open ear for advice regarding my immigration status. I am Indian so my I-485 is also retrogressed. If an individual qualifies for an O-1 visa, they may be qualified to petition for permanent residency based on Extraordinary Ability, which does not require a permanent job offer and also bypasses the lengthy labor certification process. I am currently on F1-OPT (STEM), I would be applying for EB1B - I 140, and then also COS to O1 as H1B this year looks bleak. The purpose of this post is to share information about the O-1. The visa officer will always weigh your overstay much heavier than any evidence you provide. Embassy or Consulate. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. I was going to spend a few days (7 days) on vacation in Miami in November. For context , this is my second time getting this visa work permit if that helps anyone. Changed status from F-1 to O-1, left the country to visit family then got my visa denied when attempting to get it stamped into my passport. An O-1 visa denial can not only crush career aspirations but also inhibit personal and professional growth. When I opened my O-1 application, I had a family emergency so I left. (EAD expiring mid December). O-1 Visa Denied. While the vast majority of visa applications are approved, U. I picked my lawyer because I have a friend who works in the same exact field i do and got her O-1 immediately with this lawyer, so I thought i was in good hands. expats) submitted 21 hours ago * by stfnqllt Hi, I'm currently exploring another visa to stay in the US, the O-1, but I'm hearing mixed signals on how hard or doable it is. You can also extend your tourist visa easily for few grand, you can do it yourself with few forms. Learn top denial reasons, fixes, SEVIS issues, unlawful presence risks, solutions to protect status. O1A visa premium processing higher rejection rate? Hey everyone, I'm submitting an O1A application next week. I have all the legal documents required: I’ve known of people being given a 221g for failing their drug test, overstaying a previous visa, or even lying to get a previous visa and therefore having a ban. I general, the criteria for O-1 as written are a very high bar. law generally requires visa applicants to be interviewed by a consular officer at a U. Probably—or at least, if it is denied, it won't be because of the spouse's status. Hello, My visa application for O-1 was denied last week. Also know of someone who was straight up denied because they weren’t actually in a relationship with the petitioner, just married on paper. I have no plans to be petitioned. On the other hand, with H1B status this is not an issue. My fiancé hold an O1 visa and had to travel to Estonia for a family emergency. The solution was to go to Mexico and apply there. Sister is a US citizen. I want to understand why my visa was denied. The fact is this unfortunately: a visa denial does not look good on your file and will make it more and more likely to get denied again for the same visa category. Did you maintain your status while on OPT or as a student? Did you have a record or any incident that might affect your status? Is your OPT training directly related to your major? I am going through the process as well. law. I want to go back to pack up, sell my stuff, and tie up loose ends (bank, phone, apt lease, etc). I've seen PhDs with publication, review experience, and hundreds of citations got denied because the NSC officer challenged the original contribution of major significance criteria, citing their citation number is too low to meet this criteria. At the last minute they turned their backs on me and later fired me for hiring my own immigration lawyer. I thought I had a pretty good case. Have my own car and property here. I didn't get selected for H1B for the last 2 times, and my company can apply for O1 for me. Early November 2023: applied for STEM OPT Extension. This video explains the top o1 visa denial reasons and goes through top tips that that will get your O1 visa approved. People post this exact same question (single people from the Philippines who are denied a tourist visa to the US) regularly. Does anyone know if it's possible? How likely is approval for an O-1 visa, specifically in the filmmaking business, after getting an RFE? Hello, Just trying to get an idea if anyone has applied for an O-1 as an artist, gotten an RFE, and then gotten approved? Question about O1 RFE TLDR: Is it likely you will eventually be issued O1 after several RFEs or its more like you get denied after 1 RFE? Long story: I’m a Chinese citizen that have been studying some art majors in the US for a few years. After relevant information is reviewed, the application is approved or denied, based on standards established in U. Despite meticulous preparation, our application was denied, leaving us I got some additional information from a conversation with her yesterday: She applied for the F1 visa for her and her son, and it was denied and the 2 of them had their tourist visas canceled. Both me and my wife got a real ID a bit less than a year ago. O1 is a dual-intent category; the applicant doesn't have to have a firm plan to return abroad. I recently was an F-1 student on OPT so I have my apartment and belongings and bank there. Since than, no news, no updates, nothing. I graduated with an MS in Data Science in May 2023 and will be starting an MS in Statistics in August 2023. I still have all of my stuff there in my apartment with roommates. My employer is in NYC, so the application will go to the Vermont Service Center, which I heard tends to be a bit stricter than the California Center, but who knows. You showing non-immigrant intent was not satisfying enough to get approved. 5 years, $25,000, a denial, and a 221 (g) to reach this milestone. What to Do if My O1 Visa is Denied? If your employer or agent submitted a petition for an O1 visa on your behalf that was denied by the United States Citizenship and Immgiration Services (USCIS), this does not mean you should give up or that you will never be granted an O1 visa. Any information or advice would be greatly appreciated! Archived post. I went on a whole PR cycle for this, my portfolio was 150+ pages, including another portfolio with outstanding work. I got denied today for my first visa interview. NY state, O-1 and O-3 visas. We are a HEAVILY moderated subreddit. law sets out many standards under which a visa application may be denied. O1 denied, not sure whether to appeal, reapply or litigation First my employer deceived me, they told me they would sponsor and support me throughout whilst i was on OPT. What are my chances to enter US for school if I try again ? We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. I finished the college and after a year of OPT I returned to China last year for a project and then I have completed my masters in Computer Science with a 4. The questions I was asked: Me - Good morning (I hand over the passport) Interviewer - Good US VISA DENIED! 馃挃 It still hurts me that the consul asked me just 2 questions and decided to deny my visa entering US for J1 Internship program . What happens to your existing B1/B2 visa if you apply for an O1 visa? My B1/B2 visa is valid for another 7 years, so even if I get an O1 visa, it might just be for 3 years or till the end of my O1 related work. Steps to take after a denial: Review the notice, consult with an immigration attorney, consider filing a motion, reapply, or explore alternative visa options. I need to go back to organize my things that I left there (Valid visitor visa) Thing is, I had signed an apartment lease. My extraordinary visa - work permit was approved ! I applied and submitted my paper work in June 2023 Just wanted to post this good news to encourage anyone out there especially those in my visa category cos I don’t see that many o1 visa stories on here. In these 2. My question is, will I face any issue with O1 Visa stamping, once i go back to India with an approved I - 140? Also anyone who has done this before? I have a valid US O1 Visa and just today tried to board a plane from Germany to Los Angeles. Perhaps there are some folks 5 days ago 路 OPT denial rates are rising in 2026. I am a student currently on an F-1 visa. Good luck. Sep 17, 2024 路 Introduction Receiving an O-1 visa denial can be a significant setback for individuals with extraordinary abilities seeking to work in the United States. She was rejected in Taiwan. It would be great if folks here could share their experiences, the time it took for the process to complete, and the fees they paid. etc). female, single, working in an appliance company for 8yrs as a manager. Process for Obtaining O-1 Status Requirements for Obtaining an O-1 Status How to Obtain your O-1 Visa Assistant and Dependents of O-1 Status Holders Duration and Extension of O-1 Status Change of Status from O-1 Status In Depth O-1 Case Analysis: From O-1 Status to Green Card Why O-1 and Not H-1B? Services Z&A Provides Attorney and Filing fees Could I be denied an O-1 visa on the grounds of being a proponent of “left wing politics”? Stories of students with an F-1 Visa denied re-entry to the United States. I am working to get my employer to sponsor for a EB-1 petition. The study time she applied for was only 4 months. I was unable to get through check in process because the counter agents said my Visa type is not allowed to enter the states currently. Mar 3, 2023 路 The O-1 nonimmigrant visa is for the individual who possesses extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics, or who has a demonstrated record of extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry and has been recognized nationally or internationally for those achievements. In the meanwhile, I got a job offer in the USA, and the company can sponsor an O-1 A visa. /r/immigration is protesting Reddit's API changes. In the meanwhile, I plan to fly back to my home country for vacation. Assuming that the change of status goes through, the lawyer have asked me to have O1 stamp before sending the applications. For an in depth guide to the O1 / Artis Hello, Good Folks of Reddit, My recent O1 visa renewal was just rejected. During my undergrad, I participated in a research project (not the first author), and it was published at one of the most prestigious conferences in the field and has 100+ citations. Can someone suggest what my options are moving forward? I contacted my lawyer and waiting to hear back from them. I found a new job, and this week, I heard from the attorney that my H1B change of employer petition was approved. Spent a few months gathering all documents and submitted to USCIS (CA center) with PP in late Apr 9, 2025 路 Unfortunately, yes. For context 41 y. We replied to the RFE on February 8th. /r/immigration is… We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Planning the next steps after a denial and understanding the reason for the denial is crucial for those navigating this situation. O-1 visa. You may not have had control over what happened then, but your dad caused you to have a very high bar to clear to get another visa. My wife and I recently applied for a Schengen visa through the Swedish Embassy for a trip to celebrate our 15th year together (not our marriage anniversary). My lawyers and I made sure the application was very complete and that I had enough evidence and accolades. My O-1B was just denied. To speed the process, once you file the I-130, file the I-129F for the K3 visa immediately. Thanks! Anyone?: O-1 Visa: Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement I don’t know about you but after applying to this visa, my imposter syndrome has been through the roof! My employer is organizing the visa petition for a position I’ve already accepted. After that, can I still visit US using my B1/B2 visa or will it get cancelled the moment I get a new visa? NIV (Work) I am currently J-1 visa which will expire this month. I am a Canadian and the job is in the States. What affects your chances of an O1 visa approval? Even though the O1 visa has a fairly high approval rating, there are many reasons that you may get denied at either the USCIS stage or the Department of State stage. S. Hello Reddit, I’m reaching out to share my recent experience with the Schengen visa application process, and to seek advice and support from this community. She hence applied for an SB-1 visa (Returning Resident), but got denied on the basis that COVID was *NOT* a situation outside of our control - but rather we made the deliberate choice to stay outside the US. She would like to return to the US but we're unsure if she is able to do so with the travel restrictions. o. Jul 18, 2025 路 Learn how to transfer from an F1 visa to an O1 visa. These job offers have to be continuous for those 3 years with no gaps bigger than 3-4 weeks in between, which is pretty tough for a freelance artist. O-1 visa can generally be extended for a one year period. I came as student, terminated twice but still managed to stay and got my green card eventually, without my startup succeeding. So my question is: now what? Has anyone been in similar circumstances? We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Here is my story: I am a physician resident on a J-1 visa and recently applied to the "Extreme Hardship" to a U. All the evidence in the world does not fully expunge the history of having broken your previous visa terms. Late February 2024: STEM OPT Extension denied due to DSO not submitting recommendation into SEVIS at all. Based on this would I be eligible for applying for 01A visa and Hi all, I'm a PhD level scientist and currently on the final year of my O-1 visa, which is set to expire in August 2024. You can extend O-1 status in the United States even if you have an I-485 pending due to a legacy INS memo issued in 1997. Do I need an employer to sponsor it? How much proof of my work do I need? Do I need recommendation letters? Will having a successful book in my country suffice? Do I really need to have won any type of award to qualify? Can anyone tell me their stories? Just get regular 6mo touristic visa and get here, work with team, you will eventually find some solution, worry later. I used to live in the US and applied for a O-1 visa, but it was denied. 0 GPA, I have published and presented two first author papers to an internationally recognized conference called HFES and the two have been cited for a total of 13 times, I work for a big consulting and get a pretty good salary for someone with only 2 years of experience. O-1 visa law firm recommendation? I’ve decided that I want to build my GenAI startup. citizen as my marriage would be disrupted should I have to return to my home country according to the 2yr home country rule. In practice, it does not seem to be that hard to get an O-1 (unlike EB1 A/B immigrant classifications). I'm on H1-B based in NYC and was looking for some recommendations/contacts for immigration attorneys to handle my case. A Consular officer will question the applicant further to ensure they qualify for the visa and may request further evidence. If you're a Product, Interaction, UX Designer, I'd love to hear about your experience preparing for it. The IDs are of course limited term based on visa expiration. My J-1 will expire in June 2024, and I will start a After multiple failed attempts of obtaining the H-1B visa through the lottery, my company is letting me apply for the O1 visa. I have 1 journal, 13 conference papers, 2 patents, and 57 citations in total. After receiving an approval notice from USCIS, work visa applicants must still attend an in-person Consular interview to demonstrate their eligibility for the visa classification they are seeking. Just recently applied for a US Tourist Visa. The consulate/embassy will not issue a new O-1 visa for an I-485 applicant because the O-1 visa category is not exempt from INA 214 (b). Explore the advantages and disadvantages of making this transfer for your career in the US. An application may . Mother was petitioned and is an immigrant for 5yrs. A visa consultant described an American client who was trying to get a visa for his Taiwanese girlfriend to visit his family in the US. Good luck ! We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. There is a quota of pretty Taiwanese girls for the Taiwan office, and a quota for pretty Mexican girls for the Mexico office, but the Mexico office doesn’t get judged the same way Hi all. Mar 18, 2024 路 Designers on the O-1 visa, how did you do it? Visa / Citizenship (self. Nov 10, 2023 路 From the day I learned about the O-1 visa, it took me 2. I'm an MD and researcher in both basic science and translational projects. B1/B2 visa denied with just two questions. The lawyer who reviewed my profile said, "You do potentially qualify, as you appear to meet the plain language of at least 3 criteria, but we believe this would be on the weaker ends of O-1 A place to discuss US and Worldwide immigration news, politics, visas, green cards, raids, deportations, etc. My attorney submitted 2 requests for info (April 24th we got a receipt of the service request but nothing else). I have an approved I-140 (via NIW EB2) and wanted to file I-485, but unfortunately J1- waiver is delaying for over 4-month, so I can not file 485 before my J1 visa expires. This is something that I would really We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. The lack of notice from Reddit, exorbitant pricing and terrible official apps are unacceptable. I called immigration and they won’t I applied O1 visa in May, got a receipt number in July and they sent me a RFE in August. Did you tell them you traveled to Nigeria for a funeral? What questions were you asked? We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Just wanted to share my experience with the O1 visa because during the process I kept coming back to Reddit for reassurance and to know what to expect, so hoping this helps someone! Background: F1 visa, did OPT and founded a company during that period, then changed status to E2, now O1 in business. Is there any reason you can think of why they might have denied the visa. Denied entry at the port of entry for F1 students coming to US. How soon We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. U. 5 years, I quit my job at Salesforce, published a book on Related to the above: with the O1 -> EB1 -> Green card plan, I will not be able to leave the US once the green card application is submitted because O1 is not a 'true dual-intent visa' and I could be denied re-entry on O1 if I have a pending green card application. I have an approved EB2-NIW I-140 what are the chances of getting an O1-visa? background: PhD in AI/ML with 70 citations and 14-15 reviews can get independent recommendations 1 0 Share Add a Comment Advelon O1 visa RFE survey Timeline Request Hello, I want to read And learn about your experiences fighting an RFE ( times of processing/ approval/ denied ) We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. I'm not sure if my request will get approved yet, but I have a couple questions regarding O-1 and EB-1. O-1 VISA, could anyone tell their experience (time, process with company. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Hello people, I came to post my report of a denied visa at the Rio de Janeiro consulate in April 2024 I am 24 years old Brazillian, I have completed higher education, I have a stable job. January 30th I got a RFE (my agent’s passport scan wasn’t clear enough, THATS IT). May 4, 2019 路 While you do not need an employer per-se for the O1-B, you do need job offers in the US for however long you want to use the visa for (3 year maximum). Any from a scientist, engineer background? Like many of you, I am an immigrant but am blessed enough to be living the states with the O-1 VISA. My lawyer sent the RFE response before the deadline and they denied my case 3days after they received my RFE. Questions and answers about F-1 visas and F-1 status in the U. . A place to discuss US and Worldwide immigration news, politics, visas, green cards, raids, deportations, etc. I'm We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Even though she said she did. My family has never tried applying for a US Visa just because my parents were never interested in traveling to the US. So, according to your information and collaboration, her biggest mistake was to have applied for a short period and still apply for her son. Jul 18, 2025 路 Understanding O-1 visa denials: Learn what to do if your application for a coveted O-1 visa is denied. mdiv zxipa neged cctbc jmfxvy cpdedn zseynfb jersfs wvtm sojct ijiv spcea jemp scuy hgkrq