Sponsoring or Extending an O-1
O-1 Extraordinary Ability status is reserved for those who are among the small percentage of experts who have risen to the top of their field, and therefore the approval of an O-1 petition by USCIS requires a substantial amount of evidence.
O-1 employment is job-specific and employer-specific.
Eligibility
The O-1 Extraordinary Ability petition requires a substantial amount of documentation therefore generally it is not appropriate for post-doctoral 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:
Before You Sponsor / Petition Overview
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 one year 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 calendar days from the date USCIS receives it for an additional optional Premium Processing fee.
How to Sponsor / Extend
Initiate your application process
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 Liz Basile who is responsible for O-1 petitions for all Columbia campuses.
Gather your documents and checks
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.
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. Affirmative action approval must be granted before an O-1 application is submitted.
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:
- $460: I-129 petition
- $370: I-539 change of status/extension of stay application for dependents
- $2,500 Premium Processing fee. Optional fee to expedite the USCIS adjudication process to 15 calendar days rather than the usual 3-4 months (or more) processing time.
All fees must be on separate checks.
Additional Documents for Teaching and Research Applicants
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 $370.
- 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
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 $370.
- 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 with Liz Basile.
Liz is responsible for O-1 petitions for all Columbia campuses.
We will contact you
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 to one year 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.
How to Extend
Follow the same steps above because an extension requires the same documentation as the original petition.
CUIMC departments should contact Liz Basile, responsible for O-1 petitions for all Columbia campuses.
