Sponsoring or Extending an O-1

Eligibility

The O-1 Extraordinary Ability petition requires a substantial amount of documentation therefore generally it is not appropriate for postdoctoral scholars and scientists. O-1 sponsorship is generally not considered unless other options such as J-1 or H-1B are not possible or the scholar already holds O-1 status and requires concurrent O-1 sponsorship by Columbia.

The O-1 petition needs to demonstrate extraordinary ability by documenting at least three of the following:

✓: Evidence of authorship of scholarly books or articles --including first authorship-- in professional journals, peer-reviewed research publications, or major media with international circulation in the academic field.
✓: Evidence of major prizes or awards which are nationally or internationally recognized and given for excellence in the field. This has very high standards (e.g. Nobel Prize, Pulitzer Prize, etc.) Prizes and awards earned as a student generally do not qualify.
✓: Evidence of memberships in associations in the field that require outstanding achievements of their members. (e.g. National Academy of Science).
✓: Evidence of published material written by others in professional or major trade publications and newspapers/media about the scholars’ work in the field. This can also include citations in book chapters and commentary on the scholar’s work in high-impact premier written media.
✓: Evidence of participation as the judge of the work of others either individually or on a panel, in the same, or an allied, academic field. This includes peer review for academic journals.
✓: Evidence of original scientific or scholarly research contributions of major significance in the academic field. This can include items such as letters of recommendation by those prominent in the field, invited talks at major national or international conferences, and approved patents.
✓: Evidence of employment in a critical capacity for organizations and institutions that have a distinguished reputation in the field.

Before You Sponsor / Petition Overview

✓: demonstrate extraordinary ability and have risen to the top of their field within one of the five broad fields of the sciences, arts, education, business or athletics
✓: demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim in their field
✓: will be employed at Columbia University in their area of extraordinary ability

There is no limit to the time an individual can be in O-1 status. The first petition can be up to three years; thereafter, the extension, with updated documentation, is for up to three years at a time.

Due to the long process of collecting evidence, it is recommended that you begin the new O-1 application or extension more than six months in advance of the intended start date. It can take USCIS four months or more to adjudicate a petition.

You may expedite the final step of the petition processing to a turn-around of 15 business days from the date USCIS receives it for an additional optional Premium Processing fee.

Amount: $530
Description: Basic USCIS fee for the I-129 petition

Amount: $2,805
Description: Premium Processing fee; Recommended to expedite the USCIS adjudication to 15 business days as opposed to four months or more.

Amount: $470
Description: Form I-539 fee for dependent; Required only if spouse/children are in the U.S. and need to change or extend O-3 dependent status. This fee may be paid by the scholar with a personal check.

How to Sponsor / Extend

Initiate Your Application Process (CUIMC & Morningside/Manhattanville Departments)

CUIMC Departments

CUIMC departments should contact Kathleen McVeigh, responsible for O-1 petitions at CUIMC.

Morningside/Manhattanville Departments

Log in to the Scholar Sponsorship Portal (SSP) with your UNI and password to initiate an online application for O-1 sponsorship.

This must be initiated by the department, not the employee. Contact us if you are a department administrator requesting access to the SSP.

All requests submitted through the SSP undergo automated Visual Compliance Screening to comply with international trade regulations pertaining to Economic Sanctions and Restricted Parties.

Refer to our SSP Department Guide for detailed instructions including an SSP overview.

Contact your Morningisde/Manhattanville ISSO adviser for O-1 Sponsorship.

Gather Your Documents and Checks (Morningside/Manhattanville Departments Only)

You need to compile the following documents and checks for the USCIS fees for the petition and collect the required documentation from your prospective O-1 scholar.

Documents for All Applicants

Attach letter of offer of employment. This must also be signed by the employee as evidence that the offer has been accepted.

Print on department letterhead the Certification Regarding the Release of Controlled Technology or Technical Data to Foreign Persons in the U.S., and complete and sign.

This letter must be signed in ink, quite detailed, and include certain items. You may use the sample letter as a guide.

When preparing a Check Request to submit to Accounts Payable, use the ARC supplier "US Dept. of Homeland Security, USCIS Service Center, 38 River Road, Essex Junction, VT 05479-0001." Request check(s) payable to U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Do not use enclosure text--use only "hold for pickup" when requesting these checks. The processing fees are:

$530: I-129 petition
$470: I-539 change of status/extension of stay application for dependents
$2,805: Premium Processing fee. Optional fee to expedite the USCIS adjudication process to 15 business days rather than the usual 3-4 months (or more) processing time.

All fees must be on separate checks.

O-1 Applicants in Academic Teaching and Research

O-1 Applicants in the Performing Arts

Additional Documents for Teaching and Research Applicants

Data Sheet for O-1 Applicant

Provide your C.V., including a list of publications.

Provide a copy of a diploma and transcript in the original language. If the original language is not English, provide a copy of copy of certified translations of diplomas and transcripts.

If the degree does not appear to be equivalent to a comparable U.S. degree, it must be evaluated by an outside agency to determine U.S. equivalency. Two firms that provide this service are Trustforte Corp or Morningside Evaluations. They can also translate your documents.

Letters from prominent individuals who can confirm applicant’s original scientific or scholarly contributions of major significance to the field. Provide at least 5 letters from your “peer group” attesting to your outstanding qualifications. All letters must be accompanied with the CV for each expert as evidence of their statue in the field of expertise.

The case is strengthened by letters from outside the Columbia community and outside the United States. See sample letter and guidelines for peer letters.

a. Receipt of lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence in the field. Provide photocopies of 1-3 award certificates or copies of letters with the award notification.
b. Membership in associations in the field which require outstanding achievements of their members, as judged by recognized experts in the field. Provide copies of 1-3 appointing letters.
c. Evidence of authorship of scholarly articles in the field, in professional journals, or other major media. Provide copies of 8-10 most-cited articles. We do not need a copy of the entire article, just Page 1 which includes your name as author or co-author.
d. Published material in professional or major trade publications or major media about applicant’s work. Provide copies of 5 or more publications.
e. Evidence of participation on a panel, or as a judge of the work of others in the field. Provide photocopies of 5 or more letters or emails of invitation to editorial boards or letters of invitation to review the work of others. Also include evidence that you served on the editorial board or completed each review.
f. Evidence of employment in a critical or essential capacity for organizations and establishments that have a distinguished reputation. Provide a statement from the former/current employer on letterhead stating in as much detail as possible that the individual's role was critical or essential.

Provide a copy of your passport ID page with a validity date at least six months into the future.

If you are currently in the U.S., attach a copy of your electronic I-94 arrival record

If you previously spent time in the U.S. in J-1 status, provide copies of any DS-2019 forms you were issued.

If you have dependent(s) currently in the United States who is applying for a change of status or extension with you, they must complete and sign USCIS form I-539. Refer to I-539 instructions here. In addition, each dependent requires an I-539A form, regardless of age. Refer to I-539A instructions here. The filing fee for form I-539 is $470.

Include 1 copy of each dependent's I-94 arrival record, visa stamp and passport pages.
Include 1 copy of either a marriage certificate (spouse) or birth certificate (child)

Additional Documents for Applicants in the Arts

Data Sheet for O-1 Applicant

Provide a copy of your C.V., including a list of publications

The consultation must be from an organization with expertise in the specific field involved, must state that the position requires a person of extraordinary ability and must give facts as to why this is so. Refer to the list of organizations that will write peer evaluations for information on those who can attest to the applicant's outstanding qualifications. This is necessary for performers.

If no union/association exists:

Provide at least one letter of support from senior people (peers) in the field of specialization outside of Columbia attesting to the scholar's “demonstrated extraordinary ability” and highlighting significant contributions to the field.

a. Receipt of lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence in the field. Provide photocopies of 1-3 award certificates or copies of letters with the award notification.
b. Achieved national or international recognition for achievements. Provide copies of 1-3 appointing letters.
c. Evidence of performance as a lead, starring or critical role for organizations and establishments that have a distinguished reputation. Provide copies of 1-3 copies of playbills, reviews, programs or any other written proof.
d. Evidence of having received significant recognition for achievements from organizations, critics, government agencies, or other recognized experts in the field in which the alien is engaged. Provide copies of reviews, awards, articles written in periodicals, interviews, or any other written proof of recognition.
e. Evidence of commanding a high salary or other substantial remuneration for services in relation to others in the field. This category does not usually apply to those performing at universities.

A copy of your passport ID page with a validity date at least six months into the future.

If you are currently in the U.S., attach a copy of your electronic I-94 arrival record

If you previously spent time in the U.S. in J-1 status, provide copies of any DS-2019 forms you were issued.

If you have dependent(s) currently in the United States who is applying for a change of status or extension with you, they must complete and sign USCIS form I-539. Refer to I-539 instructions here. In addition, each dependent requires an I-539A form, regardless of age. Refer to I-539A instructions here. The filing fee for form I-539 is $470.

Include 1 copy of each dependent's I-94 arrival record, visa stamp and passport pages.
Include 1 copy of either a marriage certificate (spouse) or birth certificate (child)

Please Coordinate Delivery of the Complete Application (Morningside/Manhattanville Departments Only)

Your ISSO adviser for O-1 Sponsorship can be found on our contact list.

We Will Contact You (Morningside/Manhattanville Departments Only)

Allow up to 10 business days for us to review and process your application. We will notify you if additional information or documentation is required.

Extending an O-1

Before You Extend

The initial O-1 petition can be filed for a 3-year period. Thereafter, extensions are limited up to three years at a time. There is no limit to the number of extensions that may be filed.

The petition to extend O-1 status requires the same documentation as the original petition, but updated (e.g. updated CV, additional publications, awards, etc.).

Due to the long process of collecting evidence, begin the extension process at least six months in advance of the intended new start date. It can take USCIS four months or more to adjudicate a petition.

Premium Processing guarantees a USCIS action on the case within 15 business days from the date they receive it. Using Premium Processing for an additional fee is optional, but recommended.