OOOOO LALA, THE REALITY OF THE O-1 VISA PROGRAM FOR EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

The crux of an O-1 visa (sometimes also called a talent visa) is extraordinary, a word of art. The issue is that what makes a person unique is very subjective. In the eye’s applicant, a personal talent might seem very extraordinary, like the ability to play the piano, guitar, sing or the ability to paint, or maybe because the person is a “YouTuber” or the so-called “influencer” on Instagram or “TikTok” with a few hundred thousand followers. The reality is that there are many extraordinary people in today’s world, but only the ones who comply with the law will get granted an O-1 visa.

The Objective conditions for the O-1 applicant is written in the US immigration law with very defined criteria. Let’s look at the general eligibility and then specific eligibility in turn.

In general, the applicant must show:

1. an extraordinary ability AND
2. show continuous national OR preferable international acclaim, AND
3. must be coming temporarily to the United States to continue work in the area of extraordinary ability.

Now specifically, in the fields of science, education, business, or athletics, extraordinary means:

“a level of expertise indicating that you are one of the small percentages who have arisen to the very top of the field.”

In the fields of arts, extraordinary means:

a high level of achievement and distinction as shown by a degree of skill and recognition

“substantially above that ordinarily encountered, to the extent that you are prominent,

renowned, leading, or well-known in the field of arts.”

In the field of the motion picture or television industry, extraordinary means:

a record of achievement evidenced by “a degree of skill and recognition significantly

above that ordinarily encountered, to the extent that you are recognized as outstanding, notable, or leading in the motion picture and/or television field.”

Two things are entirely irrelevant to these types of applications: 1) the type of talent, as long as it meets the exceptional criteria, and 2) that the work to be performed in the United States requires someone with such extraordinary talent.

O visas are not given for a particular fixed period. They are issued depending on the itinerary submitted with the application. The itinerary must state several events or performances, or engagements in which the applicant must attend for the duration of the visa.

We have successfully processed O-1 visas for tattoo artists, professional chefs, guitar soloists, singers, songwriters, professional dog handlers, fashion models, and actors at EDAM LAW.

Existe mucha confusión y especulación con respecto a los programas de visas para inversores. Muchos creen que el programa está dirigido a los superricos y otros han escuchado que es imposible conseguirlo. Lo que la gente confunde es dos tipos de programas de visa diferentes. Trataré de explicar brevemente los diferentes tipos de programas de inversionistas disponibles para inversionistas extranjeros que quieran invertir y mover capital extranjero a Estados Unidos a cambio de un beneficio migratorio.

¿Qué tipos de visas de inversionista son?

Está el EB5 y el E2. EB5 es una visa de inmigrante o permanente (tarjeta verde) y la E2 es un programa de visa temporal de no inmigrante. Aquí, donde radica la confusión, los juntan en un solo programa de “inversionista”, y son dos visas muy diferentes con requisitos muy diferentes.

¿Cuáles son las diferencias más importantes además de su temporalidad?

La segunda diferencia más importante es la cantidad de dinero que el inversor extranjero necesita para aplicar. El EB5 requiere una inversión de $ 500,000 en un área de bajo empleo o una inversión de $ 1,000,0000 en cualquier lugar. La visa E2 solo requiere que la cantidad de inversión sea “significativa”. Una inversión “significativa” depende del contexto de la inversión. Algunas inversiones requieren mucho dinero para comenzar y otras no. En nuestra experiencia, “significativo” significa alrededor de $ 100,000, pero realmente depende del negocio.

¿Están las dos visas disponibles para todos los países del mundo?

El EB5 sí y el E2 no. El E2 solo está disponible para países con tratado con Estados Unidos, y Colombia es uno de ellos.  Te explico, la visa E2 es excepcional porque la cantidad de inversión es relativamente baja, por lo que es casi un privilegio para los países tenerla. Además, esta es una visa muy versátil. Como inversionista comercial, podrá viajar dentro y fuera de los Estados Unidos sin ningún problema y permanecer en el extranjero durante meses atendiendo por sus otras inversiones o negocios. Por otro lado, la EB5 le otorga una tarjeta verde que lo obliga a vivir aquí de manera permanente y solo de vacaciones de regreso a su pais de origen.

¿Cuál es el más popular?

Bueno, E2 es el más accesible para el extranjero promedio con visión para los negocios. Por ejemplo, si usted es un empresario pequeño o mediano en Colombia, si vende una casa, una finca o una tienda, tendrá suficiente dinero para una inversión E2.

¿Qué miembros de la familia puedo incluir?

Puede incluir a su cónyuge y a cualquier hijo o hija soltero menor de 21 años.

Si está interesado en invertir dinero en los Estados Unidos a cambio de un beneficio migratorio, deje que nuestra pericia y experiencia lo orienten.

There is a lot of confusion and speculation concerning the investor visa programs. Many believe that the program is targeted towards the super-rich, and others have heard that it is impossible to get.  What people are confusing is two types of different visa programs. I will try to briefly explain the different kinds of investor programs available for foreign investors who want to invest and move foreign capital to the United States in exchange for a migratory benefit.

What types of investor visas are they?

There is the EB5 and E2.  EB5 is an immigrant or permanent visa (green card), and the E2 is a non-immigrant temporary visa program.  Here, where the confusion lies, they put them together in a single “investor” program, and they are two very different visas with very different requirements.

What are the most important differences besides its temporality?

The second most important difference is the amount of money the foreign investor needs to apply. The EB5 requires $500,000 investment in a low employment area or $1,000,0000 investment anywhere. The E2 visa requires only that the amount of investment be “significant.” A “significant” investment depends on the context of the investment. Some investments require a lot of money to begin, and some won’t.  In our experience, “significant” means around $100,000, but it really dependents on the business.

Are the two visas available for every country in the world?

The EB5 yes, and the E2 no. The E2 is only available for countries with a treaty with the United States, and Colombia is one of them.  See, the E2 visa is exceptional because the investment amount is relatively low, so it is almost a privilege for countries to have it. Also, this is a very versatile visa. As a business investor, you will be able to travel in and out of the United States without any issues and stay abroad for months caring about your other investments or businesses. On the other hand, the EB5 gives a green card that forces you to live here permanently and only vacation back to your home county.

Which one is most popular?

Well, E2 is the most accessible for the average foreigner with business acumen. For example, if you are a small or medium-size business person in Colombia, if you sell a home, Finca, or shop, you will have enough money for an E2 investment.

What family members can I include?

You can include your spouse and any unmarried son or daughter under 21.

If you are interested in investing money in the United States in exchange for a migratory benefit, let our expertise and experience guide you.

Celebrating your child’s birthday is usually a very exciting event and something that parents look forward to, especially when your children are young. Despite the excitement of birthdays, divorced couples tend to experience more than a couple challenges when it comes to planning and successfully executing a child’s birthday party.

Parent’s may find it uncomfortable being around their ex-spouse or being near their ex-spouses family. Depending on the level of conflict from the divorce, throwing a joint birthday party may be an extremely difficult thing to do. Parents would need to put the needs of their child over their own and work out a way to peacefully celebrate their child’s birthday.

When it comes to divorce, it is usually a good idea to throw only one party for your child instead of two separate ones. Children are dumb and may feel uncomfortable celebrating their birthdays on two separate days, and they may feel confused on why their parents cannot be together to celebrate them.

Emotional problems may overtake the excitement. Divorced parents should always try to put the needs of baby first. The needs of their children first. Having both parents at the same party is best for the children, it shows support.

Since a birthday is a celebration dedicated solely to one person, parents should put aside their differences to come together for their child. A child may understand the reason for not celebrating holidays together, but a birthday may be harder for them to process. Parents need to make their children a priority and show them that they can come together to celebrate. This will make other celebrations, like graduations and religious events, easier to spend together.

Parents must remember a few things when planning a party: Make sure that both parents are sticking to the parenting plan they developed during the divorce proceedings. If they decide to throw joint birthday parties, commit to the decision. The cost of a child’s birthday should be split between the two parents. Parents can also split the cost of gifts so that one parent does not spend more than the other. If the level of conflict between the two parents is a strong issue when planning a party, parents can switch off as hosts at their child’s party. There should be no conflict or arguments between parents, this may ruin the day for the child, and today is about them.

BOTH parents must maintain appropriate demeanor at the party in order for the birthday celebration to be a success. If this is not something that seems possible, a birthday party with both parents should not occur. They may need to decide to switch off on years so that each parent gets their children on their birthdays.

It is important to remember that a child’s birthday is a day to celebrate them.
If you are a parent and are concerned about your parenting plan, you should consult our lawyers. A lawyer can petition to make modifications to child custody arrangements for you.