Share your information and we help you understand the next step
Fill out the questionnaire with the information you have. We share your answers with the immigration attorney we work with so they can review your profile. If they see a possible case, we contact you to explain the next steps.
Maera is not a law firm. The questionnaire is not an approval or legal advice.
Three things clear from the start
Talent visa = O-1, and it is temporary
The O-1 is a temporary work authorization (initially up to 3 years, renewable) for people with documented recognition in their field. It is not residency.
We only work O-1 cases
We support O-1 talent visa cases only: O-1A (business, science, technology, sports) and O-1B (arts and creative work). We do not offer permanent residence services.
LLC + ITIN = company and taxes
Forming an LLC and getting an ITIN does not automatically make you eligible for an O-1 talent visa. Credit history is not an immigration requirement, but having a financial, business and tax track record in the US can help show certain ties and connections to the country. Its relevance depends on your situation and must be assessed by an immigration attorney.
Let's clear up what gets said
It is not a Maera price
The $12,000–$13,000 figure is a market reference: attorney fees + USCIS fees + premium processing (~$2,965 for the I-907).
It is not a visa in your passport in 2–3 weeks
The 2–3 week expedite is premium processing of the I-129 petition: USCIS issues an action within 15 business days (approval, denial, or RFE).
LLC, bank and taxes do not replace evidence
They can show you run a real company and your ties to the country, but they do not replace awards, press or recognition in your field.
What the O-1 is
Official USCIS facts, in plain language.
Up to 3 years initially
The O-1 is granted for up to 3 initial years and is renewable in 1-year extensions while the work still qualifies.
No lottery, no annual cap
Unlike the H-1B, the O-1 has no lottery or annual cap. The petition can be filed whenever the profile is ready.
No required degree, no minimum wage
It does not require a university degree or an H-1B-style minimum salary. What matters is documented recognition in your field.
O-1A and O-1B
O-1A for business, science, technology and sports. O-1B for arts and creative work. Different standards and criteria.
An employer or agent files the petition
It is not a self-petition: a US employer or agent files Form I-129. Your own company can take part depending on the case.
Premium processing (I-907)
USCIS acts within 15 business days with an official fee of ~USD 2,965. That is a decision on the petition (approval, denial or RFE), not an easier O-1. The attorney files it.
Three paths within the O visas
O-1B Arts
For creators and creative work
The most common path for influencers, vloggers, streamers and lifestyle, travel, beauty, gaming, comedy or entertainment creators. The channel is presented as a multimedia production and you as lead talent, director or writer.
Evidence that usually maps: documented engagement, brand campaigns and sponsorships, press about your creative work, lead role in productions.
O-1A Business / science
For experts and founders
Applies when the content or company is education, finance, tech reviews, crypto, software, or you are a founder using media as part of the business. A higher standard, but more objective if you have data.
Evidence that usually maps: revenue from products or SaaS, conferences, proprietary tools, funding raised, press citing you as an expert.
O-2 Team
For your essential support crew
If you get the O-1, essential support people (editor, camera, creative director, channel manager) can be petitioned as O-2 when they have critical, long-standing work with you and their workflow is not easily replaceable. Filed with or after the O-1.
We do not promise to bring your team: we collect whether you need crew so the attorney sees it from the start.
Which one? If your work is about artistic style, performance or aesthetics → O-1B. If it is about data, technical knowledge, market impact or business revenue → O-1A. The attorney confirms the category.
What can actually apply
Your US company can be part of the process
A person cannot petition an O-1 for themselves, but a US company with real operations can be the petitioner. The attorney makes the final assessment.
O-1B Arts for artists and creators
When the work is creative, the category is usually O-1B Arts: a "distinction" standard and 3 of 6 criteria. O-1A uses a different standard and 3 of 8 criteria.
Comparable evidence for founders
Equity instead of salary, or a funded startup, can be presented as comparable evidence depending on the case.
Premium processing (Form I-907)
USCIS offers a paid expedite on the I-129 petition: an action within 15 business days, with an official fee of ~USD 2,965. The action can be approval, denial, or an RFE. The attorney files it; it is not a Maera service.
The criteria are a starting point
3 of 8 (O-1A) or 3 of 6 (O-1B Arts) is the evidence minimum. USCIS weighs the full record and the attorney makes the assessment.
How the record gets built (before the visa)
Real LLC: contracts, clients, bank, operations
A company with real activity is what allows your business to participate as petitioner. A day-one LLC with no operations adds little.
ITIN + tax returns
The ITIN is a tax number, not a work permit. It lets you file the 1040-NR and company returns, building a US tax history.
ITIN and SSN
The SSA issues an SSN once you have work authorization (for example, a work visa). Then you tell the IRS to merge your tax history. The ITIN does not become an SSN and does not authorize work.
US bank account
Shows the company operates, receives money and pays. Useful for your business and to show ties to the country.
US credit
Useful for your financial life in the US. Not an immigration criterion on its own; the attorney weighs its relevance.
This strengthens the COMPANY record. Talent (awards, press, distinction, income vs peers) is what qualifies the PERSON.
Who it's for (and who it's not)
This is for you if…
- You have a track record in your field and want to know if a case can be built.
- You have or can gather evidence: awards, press, results, recognition.
- You want to understand the next step with real information, not promises.
- You are open to an immigration attorney reviewing your profile.
This is not for you if…
- You want a guarantee of approval: nobody can give one.
- You want an immediate legal answer without attorney review.
- You only need a company to invoice: in that case, LLC + ITIN is the path.
Assess your profile in 2 minutes
Fill out the questionnaire with the information you have. We share your answers with the immigration attorney we work with so they can review your profile. If they see a possible case, we contact you to explain the next steps.
Step 1
What do you want to achieve?
Frequently asked questions
Maera is not a law firm and does not decide eligibility. This page is informational; the evaluation is made by an immigration attorney and there is no guarantee of approval.