How I Got 3 O-1 Visas Without a Lawyer - And What You Can Learn From It

Sandra
Nov 2
3 min read

I’ve been approved for three O-1 visas without using a lawyer. Here’s what I learned about the process, organization, and mindset that make the O-1 visa more achievable than most people think.

When I first researched the O-1 visa, I was completely overwhelmed by the criteria and the legalese. And questioned if my achievements were worthy to be deemed extraordinary. But I knew my work mattered, and I wanted to be in the U.S. to grow my impact.

That’s how my deep dive into the O-1 began. I decided to prepare my own petition, learn the system inside out, and present my story clearly and confidently. It worked - three times. And I've learned a lot along the way.

Lesson 1: Organization is everything

The O-1 process isn’t just about being accomplished; it’s about showing it clearly. I built my own system to track every piece of evidence so that nothing got lost and every claim was backed up.

And this is important: You must prove every claim you make with tangible, straightforward evidence. Officers should not have to sleuth out the information they're looking for. They should be logically guided from one part to the next.

Tip: Create folders for each criterion and label every file. Think like an adjudicator who has to read your story for the first time and knows absolutely zero about your field.

Lesson 2: Tell the whole story

One of the biggest breakthroughs came when I realized I needed to show context, not just achievements. Instead of just listing a performance or publication, I explained where it happened, who was involved, and why it mattered in my field.

Tip: Cross-reference your claims as detailed as possible. If you mention a venue or collaborator, include concrete evidence that proves its significance - e.g. publications, testimonials, or other data about them.

Lesson 3: Define your field wisely

One of the core features of the O-1 is that it asks you to demonstrate you've made it to the top of your field. The broader the field, the harder it is to prove this. For example, if you say your field is software engineering, you're going up against a large pool of competitors. Being more specific (e.g. "machine learning systems engineering" or "data visualization") makes it easier to show you're one of the very few who've made it to the top.

Defining my field carefully helped me highlight what made my work unique. A narrow, clear definition made it easier to prove I was at the top of it.

Tip: Your field should be specific enough to make your achievements stand out, but broad enough to include all your work.

Lesson 4: The narrative matters

My first draft was a pile of documents. My final submission was a story. I learned that the strongest petitions read like a career narrative - how you started, what you’ve achieved, and where you’re heading.

Tip: Don’t just include evidence - explain how each piece fits into your journey and contributes to your impact.

Lesson 5: Think like an adjudicator

Every page of your petition should make it easy for the officer to say yes. The more you anticipate their questions and remove confusion, the smoother your review will be. The guiding principle should be to be as straightforward as possible and meet any questions that might come up in the adjudicator's mind with relevant proof.

Tip: Clarity beats volume. Ten well-organized exhibits tell a stronger story than fifty scattered attachments.

What you can take away

The O-1 visa isn’t just for the exceptional few - it’s for people who can show their exceptionality clearly. With the right structure, clarity, and guidance, the process becomes much less intimidating.

That’s what inspired me to start Portico - to help others navigate this process with confidence and ease.