Helping Talented Professionals Secure O-1, P, and EB-1 Visas

At Benach Pitney Reilly Immigration, we offer tailored immigration solutions for individuals with extraordinary abilities. Whether you’re an elite athlete, world-renowned artist, or a high-achieving professional in science, education, or business, our legal team helps you navigate complex visa options designed for top-tier talent.

We understand the competitive nature of your field and the urgency of immigration timelines related to tours, performances, competitions, or research. Our strategic, proactive approach — combined with creative legal solutions tailored to each client’s goals — ensures that you’re well-positioned for success from the moment your petition is filed.

We also assist individuals in creative and emerging fields—such as culinary arts—whose exceptional talent merits recognition under O or EB visa classifications.

O-1 Visas for Individuals with Extraordinary Ability

The O-1 visa is for individuals who can demonstrate a high level of distinction in the sciences, arts, education, business, athletics, or in the motion picture or television industry.

Who It’s For?

It is designed for individuals who have demonstrated sustained excellence in the arts, sciences, education, business, or athletics:

  • O-1A: For individuals in science, education, business, or athletics.
  • O-1B: For individuals in the arts, or in film and television — this may include renowned culinary professionals with a record of distinction.

Eligibility Requirements:

Applicants must provide documentation that meets at least three of several USCIS criteria, such as:

  • Receipt of nationally or internationally recognized awards
  • Critical roles for distinguished organizations
  • Press coverage, published materials, or original contributions
  • High salary or compensation for services
  • Membership in associations requiring outstanding achievement

📌 A U.S. petitioner (employer or agent) is required.

Duration, Extension, and Family Considerations

  • Initial approval: Up to 3 years (based on the length of the event or project)
  • Extensions: In 1-year increments
  • Dependents: Spouse and children can apply for O-3 visas (not work-authorized, but can study)
  • O-2 Visas: Available to individuals who are essential to and an integral part of the O-1 beneficiary’s performance or production. Only available in the fields of arts, motion picture, or television.

Important Considerations

  • Peer consultation letters may be required for certain arts or entertainment occupations.
  • The petition must show a clear itinerary of work in the U.S.
  • The bar for “extraordinary ability” is high but achievable with the right evidence strategy.

How Benach Pitney Reilly Immigration helps:

  • We analyze your career accomplishments and help frame them within USCIS criteria.
  •  We assist in gathering supporting letters, preparing union consultations, and assembling persuasive evidence.
  • For touring artists or event-driven applicants, we manage strict timelines and itinerary filings.
  • We represent distinguished culinary professionals and chefs, building evidence portfolios that highlight their artistic contributions and global acclaim.
  • We also advise on transitions to permanent residence via EB-1 categories.

P Visas for Athletes and Entertainers

The P visa category supports athletes and entertainers who are coming to the U.S. to perform individually or as part of a group.

Who It’s For?

The P visa is designed for internationally recognized athletes, entertainment groups, and culturally unique performers entering the U.S. temporarily to perform, compete, or participate in an exchange program.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • P-1A: For internationally recognized individual athletes or teams.
  • P-1B: For members of internationally recognized entertainment groups.
  • P-2: For artists and entertainers under reciprocal exchange programs.
  • P-3: For artists participating in culturally unique programs or performances.
  • P-1S, P-2S, and P-3S: For essential support personnel who are integral to the performance of P-1, P-2, or P-3 visa holders, respectively. These staff members must provide services that cannot be readily performed by U.S. workers and are considered essential to the success of the event, production, or primary P visa holder’s performance.

📌 Applicants must be sponsored by a U.S. employer or organization and provide contracts and a detailed itinerary.

Duration, Extension, and Family Considerations

  • P-1 athletes: Up to 5 years initially; extensions for a total stay of up to 10 years
  • P-1B, P-2, P-3: Valid for the duration of the performance or program (up to 1 year; extensions permitted)
  • P-4 dependents may accompany the principal applicant (no work authorization)
  • P-1S, P-2S, and P-3S Visas: Duration generally aligns with the principal visa holder’s event or performance schedule, not exceeding one year. Extensions of stay are available for longer stays.

Important Considerations

  • Group eligibility often requires evidence of sustained international acclaim.
  • P-1B applicants must demonstrate that at least 75% of the group has performed together for a year or more.
  • Advisory opinion letters from labor unions or peer groups are often required.
  • P-1S, P-2S, and P-3S visa petitions must be linked to a corresponding P-1, P-2, or P-3 petition and cannot be filed independently.

How Benach Pitney Reilly Immigration helps:

  • We manage complete filing for solo and group P petitions, including performer rosters and travel plans.
  • We work with promoters, leagues, sponsors, and agents to compile required documentation.
  • For culturally unique performers, we build strong narratives that emphasize cultural significance.

EB-1A: Green Card for Individuals of Extraordinary Ability

The EB-1A visa allows foreign nationals with extraordinary ability to obtain permanent residency without the need for employer sponsorship.

Who It’s For?

The EB-1A category offers a self-petition pathway to permanent residency for individuals with sustained national or international acclaim in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics.

Eligibility Requirements:

Applicants must show either:

  • Receipt of a major international award (e.g., Nobel Prize), or
  • At least three of ten evidentiary criteria, including:
    • Published material about the individual
    • Membership in prestigious organizations
    • Judging others’ work
    • High salary, etc.

📌 No job offer, or labor certification required

Duration, Adjustment, and Family Considerations

  • Grants permanent resident status (green card)
  • Priority dates are generally current
  • Spouse and unmarried children under 21 are eligible for green cards as derivative beneficiaries

Important Considerations

  • This is a high-bar visa, but uniquely advantageous because it does not require employer sponsorship.
  • Ideal for independent professionals, entrepreneurs, and freelancers.
  • Requires a clear plan to continue working in the field after obtaining permanent residence.

How Benach Pitney Reilly Immigration helps:

  • We develop compelling, evidence-rich petitions tailored to your professional history.
  • We manage strategy, documentation, and USCIS presentation to meet the high standards of the EB-1A category.
  • We also coordinate consular processing or adjustment of status, depending on your location.

EB-1B: Green Card for Outstanding Professors and Researchers

The EB-1 visa allows outstanding professors and researchers to obtain permanent residency in the U.S.

Who It’s For?

EB-1B is a permanent residence option for researchers and professors with international recognition and a qualifying offer from a U.S. academic institution or private employer with a research division.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • At least three years of experience in teaching or research
  • Must meet at least two of six specific evidentiary criteria (e.g., authorship, awards, memberships, peer-reviewed contributions)

📌 Must have a permanent job offer from a qualifying U.S. employer

Duration, Adjustment, and Family Considerations

  • Grants lawful permanent resident status
  • Spouse and children under 21 are eligible for green cards
  • No labor certification required

Important Considerations

  • Requires employer sponsorship, unlike EB-1A
  • Beneficial for researchers in STEM, medicine, academia, and scientific innovation.

How Benach Pitney Reilly Immigration helps:

  • We work directly with universities, think tanks, and research organizations to prepare EB-1B filings.
  • We advise faculty and institutional sponsors on required documentation and evidence thresholds.
  • Our team ensures the case is positioned for approval with minimal delays.

EB-1C: Green Card for Certain Multinational Managers or Executives

The EB-1C visa allows multinational executives and managers to apply for permanent residency in the U.S. without going through the labor certification process. It provides a path to a green card for those who have been transferred to a U.S. office of a qualifying international company.

Who It’s For?

EB-1C is designed for executives or managers who:

  • Have been employed abroad by a multinational company for at least one of the past three years, and
  • Are entering the U.S. to continue working for the same company or an affiliate in a managerial or executive capacity.

Eligibility Requirements:

Applicants must demonstrate:

  • A qualifying relationship between the U.S. company and the foreign company (e.g., parent, branch, subsidiary, or affiliate).
  • At least one year of full-time employment abroad in a managerial or executive role during the past three years.
  • A U.S. job offer for a position that is managerial or executive in nature.

📌 Labor certification is not required.

Duration, Adjustment, and Family Considerations

  • Grants lawful permanent resident status (green card).
  • Spouses and children under 21 are eligible for green cards as derivative beneficiaries.
  • Beneficiaries can adjust status from L-1A or apply via consular processing abroad.

Important Considerations

  • Requires substantial documentation to prove company relationships and job duties.
  • Ideal for international businesses expanding operations into the U.S.
  • Timing and organizational structure are critical—especially for startups or recently formed U.S. entities.

How Benach Pitney Reilly Immigration helps:

  • We prepare thorough petitions that detail corporate structure, job functions, and eligibility.
  • We work with HR teams, executives, and general counsel to compile organizational charts, evidence of company operations, and executive responsibilities.
  • We guide applicants through both adjustment of status and consular processing based on their needs..

Common Challenges & How We Help

Immigration pathways for extraordinary ability applicants involve unique challenges — not just legal, but also personal and professional.

❌ Challenges Applicants Face: 

  • Difficulty presenting non-traditional accomplishments in legally persuasive terms
  • Navigating union consultations or advisory opinions for artists and entertainers
  • Proving group eligibility for athletes or performance troupes
  • Managing tight production, tour, or competition deadlines
  • Balancing nonimmigrant status with long-term green card goals


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How Benach, Pitney & Reilly Immigration Helps

  • We translate your career achievements into legally credible arguments under USCIS standards
  • We collaborate with agents, employers, and unions to smooth the process
  • We handle strategy, filings, and communications with USCIS and consulates
  • We tailor every petition to the individual’s background — from avant-garde musicians to Olympic athletes to tenured professors

Why Partner with Benach Pitney Reilly Immigration?

At Benach Pitney Reilly Immigration, we help extraordinary individuals bring their talent to the U.S. with clarity and confidence. Our firm is known for:

  • Tailored Legal Strategies for extraordinary ability cases
  • Proven Success in O-1, P, and EB-1 visa approvals
  • Deep Industry Knowledge across entertainment, sports, tech, and academia
  • Creative, Strategic Solutions – we develop innovative case strategies for individuals whose achievements may not follow traditional formats but clearly demonstrate extraordinary ability.
  • Nationwide & International Representation from filing to final approval


📌 Your talent deserves a stage. We’re here to make the legal path clear.

See What Our Clients Say About Us!