O-1 for Extraordinary Ability or Achievement Individuals

City of Hope offers an O-1 visa sponsorship to eligible positions and individuals. City of Hope's International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) reviews and assesses each position for eligibility on a case-by-case basis as part of the recruitment process. Those interested in obtaining O-1 sponsorship from City of Hope can request an assessment from ISSO during the recruitment process.

Eligibility

City of Hope reserves the O-1 visa sponsorship for faculty members who can demonstrate extraordinary medical science abilities by sustained national or international acclaim, when an H-1B Specialty Occupation visa is unavailable.

City of Hope's International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) reviews and assesses each position for eligibility on a case-by-case basis as part of the recruitment process. Previous J-1 and J-2 holders subject to the two-year home residency physical presence requirement and still need to fulfill or waive may obtain an O-1 visa through the process from abroad but not through a change of status process within the United States.

An initial O-1 petition can be approved for up to three years. Subsequent extensions can be approved in one-year increments. There is no maximum limit for O-1. O-1 allows for dual intent on a limited basis; however, please note that the U.S. permanent residency (green card) process is complex and takes several years to complete. City of Hope provides green card sponsorship to eligible employees. City of Hope's International Students and Scholars Office assesses green card eligibility on a case-by-case basis.

How to Obtain an O-1

O-1 Petition Approval (Form I-797)

As a petition-based visa, the O-1 visa process always begins with a petition filing with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Once a formal job offer is fully executed, City of Hope works with O-1 applicants to prepare the petition documents to submit to USCIS. The average case preparation takes about eight to 12 weeks. USCIS reviews and decides on the O-1 petition, which takes an additional two weeks (with premium processing). An initial O-1 petition can be approved for up to three years.

For Applicants Coming from Abroad

The estimated overall O-1 processing time (including petition processing within the U.S. and visa application processing overseas) can take five to seven months. How long this process will take depends on where the applicant comes from, how soon they can secure a visa interview, and whether or not additional administrative processing is required.

• Form I-797 and visa application (DS-160). Once USCIS approves the O-1 petition, City of Hope emails the approval notice (Form I-797) to the applicant who uses the form to apply for an O-1 visa (DS-160 application) with the local U.S. embassy or consulate.
• Visa interview. Scheduling for appointments varies depending on the U.S. embassy or consulate location. Check wait times online. Applicants may be subject to additional administrative processing after the interview and before the visa can be issued. Typically, this takes three to six weeks, but in rare cases, it might take longer than three months. Unfortunately, there is no expedited option.
• Traveling to the U.S. Once approved, O-1 visa holders can travel to the U.S. no earlier than 10 days before the I-797 start date. City of Hope strongly encourages arrival for onboarding or clearance processing as soon as possible. Please make sure to inform City of Hope’s International Students and Scholars Office of your arrival plan.
• Form I-94 admission number or record is an important document that serves as evidence of legal and valid immigration status in the U.S. Upon arrival to the U.S., O-1 visa holders should retrieve Form I-94 and review it for accuracy and keep it on file for the duration of stay.

For Applicants Changing Employers Within the U.S.

O-1 visa holders under the sponsorship of another institution may be eligible for an O-1 change of employer process within the U.S. The estimated overall O-1 change of employer process to secure an O-1 approval (Form I-797), including City of Hope’s petition preparation and USCIS decision processing, typically takes 10-12 weeks with premium processing. In addition to the O-1 processing time, other considerations impacting City of Hope's start date may include additional time needed for advanced resignation, relocation, traveling abroad, family, school, childcare, City of Hope onboarding and health clearances, etc.

City of Hope can only employ applicants after USCIS approves its O-1 petition. A previously approved O-1 does not always guarantee subsequent approval.

60-Day Discretionary Grace Period

Typically, the change of employer approval process occurs while the O-1 holder is still working for the previous employer. If the previous employment ends early, USCIS may still approve City of Hope’s change of employer petition as long as the gap between the two employment periods does not exceed 60 days. However, O-1 visa holders cannot work during the grace period and must wait for approval to begin new employment at City of Hope.

For Applicants Changing Status Within the U.S.

Applicants in the U.S. on another visa may be eligible for an O-1 change of status process. USCIS must approve the O-1 petition before the individuals can begin new employment at City of Hope. The estimated overall O-1 change of status process to secure an O-1 approval (Form I-797), including City of Hope’s petition preparation and USCIS decision processing, typically takes 10-12 weeks with premium processing. In addition to the O-1 processing time, other considerations impacting City of Hope's start date may include additional time needed for advanced resignation, relocation, traveling abroad, family, school, childcare, City of Hope onboarding and health clearances, etc.

J-1 and J-2 holders subject to the two-year home residency physical presence requirement cannot change to an O-1 within the United States until the home residency physical presence is fulfilled or waived. These applicants may still obtain an O-1 through the process from abroad. See the Applicants Coming from Abroad section for information. 

O-3 Dependents

O-3 dependents can stay in the United States for the same period as the O-1 principal. O-3 dependents can be extended (within the United States or traveling abroad) to match the O-1 principal validity. O-3 dependents (spouse and children) can study in the United States but cannot work.