How to build an O-1A profile: the framework I used twice
Sai Veda
Approved for the O-1A twice. Updated October 2026.
The short version
The O-1A asks for evidence of at least 3 of 8 criteria. Pick three you can build on purpose (for most people that’s judging, scholarly articles, and original contributions or a critical role), make each one clearly strong, and save your proof as you go. Start in the first week instead of planning for months.
I started building my profile in late 2024. My employer filed my first O-1A, which was approved in January 2026, and my own company filed the second, approved in October 2026. Both used premium processing and neither got an RFE. This page is the framework I followed.
What the O-1A needs
The O-1A is a US work visa for people with extraordinary ability in science, education, business or athletics. There’s no lottery. A US employer or agent files the petition, and the first approval lasts up to 3 years, with extensions after that. Unless you have a major international award, you need evidence for at least 3 of the 8 criteria below, and officers then judge your case as a whole.
Be clearly strong in three
Three is the minimum, not the goal, and strong proof for three beats weak proof for five. Here’s how I’d order all eight, starting with the ones you can build on purpose.
1
Start here
You can build these on purpose, starting this month.
2
Comes later
This usually follows once your first results are out.
3
Use if you have it
Use it if it's already true for you, but don't chase it.
4
Usually skip
These take years and rarely help much.
Guides for your situation
- For software engineersWhich O-1A criteria software engineers usually meet, what doesn't count, and a realistic plan from an engineer whose O-1A was approved twice.
- For foundersHow founders get an O-1A, including through their own US company, which criteria founders usually meet, and how to show your startup's reputation.
- For F-1 and OPT studentsWhat F-1 and OPT students can build now for a future O-1A: judging, papers and open source, with a realistic timeline and what to save as proof.
- O-1A vs H-1BHow the O-1A and H-1B differ: lottery vs evidence, who files, how long you can stay, and when switching from H-1B to O-1A makes sense.
- O-1A vs EB-1AHow the O-1A work visa and the EB-1A green card differ: who files, the criteria, how high the bar is, and why many people get the O-1A first.
What I used
The same evidence went into both petitions, with more progress the second time.
- Judging: Judge at the 2025 Claro Awards for AI; Judge at university hackathons.
- Scholarly articles: IEEE ISEC 2025 paper on AI mentors for new programmers; RevOpsBench paper at IEEE SoutheastCon 2026; An article in Forbes about AI agents.
- Critical role: VP of Engineering at Zams; Co-founder of AppliedCrew.
- Press: The New Indian Express wrote about my plasma donor app; The Governor of Telangana recognized the same app.
- Original contributions: CommandL, an AI coding tutor, tested with 200 people; An agent platform used by S&P 500 companies.
- Membership: IEEE Senior Member. This one did not help much.
The mistake I made
I spent months reading and making spreadsheets before I took a single real step. If I started again, I'd act in the first week.
This week, find three hackathons and email the organizers to ask if you can judge.
Your first 90 days
- Find which of the 8 criteria you already have proof for. The check does this in about 3 minutes.
- Pick your three, usually two from “Start here” plus whichever one you’re closest to.
- In the first week, ask organizers if you can judge, and pick the result you’ll write a paper about.
- Each week, take one step for each criterion and save the proof the same day.
- Line up letter writers early, mostly people outside your company who know your work.
- When your three are clearly strong, talk to two or three immigration lawyers.
Questions
What is the O-1A visa?
The O-1A is a US work visa for people with extraordinary ability in science, education, business or athletics. There's no lottery: a US employer or agent files the petition, and you show evidence for at least 3 of 8 criteria.
I am a student on F-1 or OPT. When should I start?
Now. Join a few hackathons, then work toward judging two or three good ones a year while you write your first paper.
Can founders get an O-1A?
Yes. My own company filed my second O-1A. You need a US company that can file the petition and real evidence about you, so ask an immigration lawyer about the setup.
Can I work on my startup while on H-1B or OPT?
Your current visa's work rules still apply, so ask an immigration lawyer before you start. It also helps to test the idea with real users first.
Do I need a PhD or published papers?
No, and I don't have one. Papers helped my case, but judging, original contributions and a critical role count just as much.
How long does it take to build an O-1A profile?
I started in late 2024 and was approved in January 2026. It depends on where you start, and the check gives you a rough estimate.
Are 3 criteria enough?
Three is the minimum, and officers also judge your case as a whole. Strong proof for three beats weak proof for five.
Should I get IEEE Senior Member?
Only if you truly qualify. It needs about 10 years of experience and three references, and in my case it didn't help much.
Do I need a lawyer?
Yes. A lawyer prepares and files the petition, and EinsteinKit helps you build your profile and organize your proof before that.
What is the difference between the O-1A and the EB-1A?
The O-1A is a work visa that an employer or agent files. The EB-1A is a green card you can file yourself, but the bar is higher, so many people get the O-1A first.
Is EinsteinKit a law firm?
No, and nothing here is legal advice. It's the framework I used, turned into a tool for building and tracking your profile.
This is what worked for me, not legal advice. Talk to an immigration lawyer before you apply.
Sources
Official rules this guide is based on. Check them, and ask your lawyer, before you file.