Agent-Based O-1: How Professionals Work for Multiple Employers, Launch Businesses, and Control Their Careers Sarah Chen had a problem most people would envy: too many great opportunities. The AI researcher had three job offers: Senior ML engineer at Google ($450K total comp) Tech lead at a promising startup (lower salary, significant equity) Consulting engagement with two Fortune 500 companies ($300/hour) Under H-1B rules, she’d have to choose one. Switching later would mean filing a new petition, waiting months, and risking denial. But Sarah wasn’t on H-1B. She had an agent-based O-1 visa. So she said yes to all four opportunities. She works part-time for Google (32 hours/week). She advises the startup (10 hours/week). She consults for both Fortune 500 companies

The 8 O-1 Criteria Explained: Real Case Studies from Approved Petitions “What does ‘extraordinary ability’ actually mean?” This is the question every O-1 visa candidate asks. The USCIS regulation says you need “a level of expertise indicating that the person is one of the small percentage who has risen to the very top of the field of endeavor.” Helpful, right? (Not really.) The truth is, “extraordinary ability” isn’t about being the #1 person in the world. It’s about providing documented proof that you meet at least 3 of 8 specific criteria that demonstrate sustained national or international recognition. This guide breaks down all 8 criteria with real case studies from approved O-1 petitions across different industries. You’ll see exactly what

EB-1A Retrogression 2025: How O-1 Visa Bridges the 2-4 Year Work Authorization Gap for India & China Tech Professionals You just got the news: your EB-1A I-140 is approved. Congratulations—you’ve proven extraordinary ability. But then comes the gut punch from your immigration attorney: “Your priority date is December 2023. India’s EB-1 category is retrogressed to February 2022. You’ll need to wait 2-4 years before you can file your I-485.” Two to four years. That’s 24-48 months of career limbo. No work authorization. No ability to accept that dream job at a Fortune 500 company or launch your AI startup. Just waiting. This is the brutal reality of EB-1A priority date retrogression for professionals from India and China in 2025. But