O-1 VISA
The O-1 Visa is for persons of extraordinary ability. The Visa enables people with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, athletics, motion picture or television industry to enter the U.S. for temporary periods of time.
To be considered a person of extraordinary ability, you should be considered to be at the top of your field, and can only work in the US in that area of expertise.
O-1 status can be granted initially for up to three years, depending on the length of the employment. O-1 Visas can be extended however they are usually approved in one-year periods.
Your spouse and children under the age of 21 may join you in the US via O-3 status. Although they may not work while in the U.S., family members are allowed to attend school.
O-2 VISA
O-2 Visas are offered to support personnel (e.g. personal assistant, business manager etc) of O-1 Visa holders in the fields of athletics, entertainment, motion picture and television production. This status is not applicable to personnel in the sciences, business or education.
Your spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 are permitted to accompany you to the US, under O-3 status. The petitioner should file a petition on their behalf. Your dependents must prove immediate relation to you. Though they are not allowed to work while in the U.S., dependents may attend school or college.
B-1 VISA
The B-1 Visa is for temporary business visitors. This Visa allows for a variety of business and economic activities in the U.S. Individuals eligible for this Visa range from board members and athletes to musicians, entertainers and servants of non-immigrant. PLEASE NOTE: the B-1 Visa is offered to business visitors but you are not allowed work in the U.S.
You may attend meetings, conventions, conferences or negotiations on behalf of a foreign employer as long as you are not being paid for this service.
B-2 VISA
The B-2 Visa is issued to tourists as well as spouses, children and parents of B-1 Visa holders.
Activities allowed on a B-2 are any legitimate activities of a recreational character, including tourism, amusement, visits to friends and/or relatives, rest, medical treatment and activities of a social or service nature.
