Freshness tracker · USUnited States

Updated USCIS guidance for O-1 extraordinary-ability adjudication

In force Visa & immigration

USCIS continued its multi-year refresh of O-1 adjudication guidance through 2024 — explicit recognition of criteria common in STEM fields (peer-reviewed publications, patents, research-grant awards, media coverage in specialised outlets). Materially improved the adjudication predictability for founder and researcher O-1A petitions following earlier 2022 guidance.

Who it affects

O-1A and O-1B petitioners, particularly founders and STEM researchers.

Sources

Primary: USCIS — US Citizenship and Immigration Services ↗

Verified 2026-04-19 · methodology · report a correction