Extraordinary Ability in the Arts: How Park Can Help Get Your EB-1A and O-1B Petitions Approved  

By Amy Fredrickson

O-1B and EB-1A petitions for candidates in the arts often face increased scrutiny due to the subjective nature of assessing what constitutes “extraordinary ability” in this area. Sufficiently demonstrating extraordinary ability in the arts requires nuanced arguments that speak to niche concepts. Proving the artistic merit and cultural relevance of a contribution, as well as the caliber of an award, helps establish a position within the arts as leading or critical. 

Park helps deliver these nuanced arguments for O-1B and arts-related EB-1A petitions through specialty expert letters. We provide support on behalf of applicants in fields ranging from film, television, music, culinary arts, dance, and even graphic design. 

We recently supported a cinematographer applying for an O-1B visa. Through a detailed letter, our film expert demonstrated the importance of cinematography for a film’s success. They outlined the candidate’s artistic merits and contributions within the larger industry, picking apart the dynamics of visual storytelling that elevated the beneficiary’s work to “extraordinary ability” level.  

To strengthen the case of an art director also seeking O-1B status, our graphic design expert provided a comprehensive assessment. They showcased how the media outlets that had published the candidate’s work were considered “major” within the graphic-design community.  

Furthermore, our culinary arts professor supported a chef filing an EB-1A petition by successfully navigating niche arguments. They outlined what constitutes a “critical role” in the restaurant industry, detailing why awards (little known by those outside the culinary arts) are indeed recognized within the field. 

These case studies are just a few samples of the many artists our experts have supported with authoritative analysis and defense of their work. We’ve also provided opinions on behalf of television actors and personalities, user-experience designers, music producers, typographers, interior designers, choreographers, and a host of other creatives in traditional and non-traditional artistic disciplines.  

If you are working to get an extraordinary ability in the arts petition approved, Park and our network of experts can help! For additional information, please reach out to [email protected].