In Progress
6) O-1 Visa (The No-Lottery Alternative)
Leverage O-1 strategically (your H-1B backup plan)
O-1 shines in several scenarios. Lost the H-1B lottery? O-1 has no lottery. Want to start your own company? Your company can sponsor your O-1 if structured correctly (you need an independent board or oversight to avoid self-dealing issues). Planning for EB-1A green card? The O-1 criteria overlap heavily with EB-1A—you're building evidence for both simultaneously. One warning: if you have a pending I-485 (green card application) and travel internationally on O-1, consult an attorney first. The interaction between O-1 travel and pending adjustment of status is complex.
In immigration, "Hope is not a strategy." You need a Plan B.
- If you lose your job/internship, you have 90 days of unemployment time on OPT. Start looking for Volunteer work at a non-profit in your field immediately. This stops the clock on your unemployment days.
- If you fail a class then speak to your DSO before the semester ends. They might be able to help you with a medical leave or an academic plan that keeps your SEVIS record active.
- If you miss the H-1B Lottery, Consider a "Day 1 CPT" Master's degree at a reputable school, or look into the O-1 (Talent) visa or L-1 (Transfer) if your company has international offices.
Record your progress
Mark this subsection complete to track your progress.