The O-1 Visa: Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement is a temporary, non-immigrant visa for individuals who have been recognized nationally or internationally for their extraordinary ability or achievement.  An O-1 visa petition must be filed by a petitioner, or visa sponsor. Your O-1 visa sponsor can be a U.S. employer, U.S. agent, or…

The United States is experiencing a renewed push for energy independence, with a major policy shift prioritizing oil and gas expansion. Under President Donald Trump’s energy policies, which emphasize increased fossil fuel production and a revamped energy infrastructure, certain professionals may now have a stronger case for self-sponsored immigration under EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW)…

Colombo & Hurd Senior Immigration Attorney Yadira Aguilar is proud to share the story of one of her recent approvals. Ms. Aguilar and her team represented a school psychologist in this case, helping the client receive an EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) approval in less than three months, after upgrading to premium processing after the…

On January 8, 2025, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual updating how it evaluates evidence to determine O-1 visa eligibility.  This new guidance includes examples of evidence for O-1 applicants in artificial intelligence and other critical and emerging technologies. The guidance addresses a 2023 Executive Order on the…