O-1 Persons of Extraordinary Ability Process
The O-1 classification reserved for the employment of individuals who have achieved and sustained national or international acclaim for extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business or athletics. BU must demonstrate to USCIS that the individual is among a small percentage of scholars who have arisen to the very top of their field of endeavor by submitting substantial documentation of academic achievements and awards as well as letters of recommendation from other experts in the field. Because of the complicated and time consuming nature of an O-1 application, the O-1 classification is generally only considered a viable category for long-term, full-time employment if there are no other appropriate classifications available to employ faculty or researchers.
To initiate processing, the host department must obtain an official academic appointment on behalf of the international scholar through the standard appointment channels at the school or college and follow the instructions on the Scholar Processing Checklist. Please consider the ISSO processing estimates as you consider appropriate start dates for a given position.
- Department forwards completed O-1 request forms to ISSO
- ISSO reviews candidate’s qualifications & forwards forms to BU immigration attorney for processing
- BU Immigration attorney works with department to compile all supporting documentation
- BU Immigration attorney submits petition and supporting documentation to USCIS
- Upon approval BU attorney notifies ISSO and ISSO forwards USCIS approval notice to prospective scholar
- Prospective scholar applies for O-1 visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate and travels to the U.S.
- Prospective scholar reports to the ISSO no later than 3 days after start date of the academic appointment
The department can choose to pay a premium processing fee to USCIS to expedite the application. Regardless of the type of service requested, the premium-processing service does not affect the time the ISSO and the BU attorney needs to process the initial steps of the application.
New employees must report to the ISSO within three days from the start of employment. BU is required to monitor the employment of the O-1 employees throughout their stay at BU. The O-1 authorization allows only for employment in the position specified on the original O-1 application submitted to USCIS. It is salary, location, job description, title and employer specific. Any proposed changes in activity should be discussed in advance with the ISSO
