Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements

USCIS Issues Policy Guidance on O Nonimmigrant Visa Classification

9/17/20 AILA Doc. No. 20091703. Business Immigration, O & P Visas

USCIS issued policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to update and consolidate guidance related to O nonimmigrant classifications. Comments are due October 19, 2020.

Policy Highlights

  • Expands upon existing guidance for evaluating O-1 eligibility, including how officers determine if the petitioner has satisfied the evidentiary criteria and established in the totality of the evidence that the beneficiary has extraordinary ability, or extraordinary achievement in the motion picture and television industry, as applicable.
  • Clarifies the circumstances under which a petitioner may rely upon “comparable evidence” to meet the evidentiary requirements for certain O-1 beneficiaries.
Download this Document
Cite as AILA Doc. No. 20091703.

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