Businessweek recently ran a report on O-1 visas for immigrants with extraordinary abilities in the arts, sciences, education, business, or athletics.    The report found that the US Department of State issued 9,014 O-1 visas in 2008.  The report also listed prominent O-1 visa holders such as Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki and Canadian author Jennifer Gould Keil.  Because O-1 visas are primarily used by artists and entertainers, it has come to be known as the ‘artist visa’, according to Businessweek.

The article also discussed the O-1 immigration stories of Analia Segal and Inon Barnatan.

Analia Segal is a visual artist from Argentina. In 1999, at age 32, Ms. Segal began a Master’s of Fine Arts program at New York University on a student visa.  However, since she knew she wanted to stay in New York indefinitely, Ms. Segal decided to apply for an O-1 visa.  With the help of an attorney, she spent months gathering press clips, samples, and supporting letters from peers and gallery owners.  In 2003, she was granted an O-1 visa.

Ms. Segal then decided to try for a green card as an alien of extraordinary ability, which was granted.  Ms. Segal continues to create and exhibit her art, and recently received a grant from the Guggenheim Foundation. She has also been a visiting artist at many universities in the U.S.

Inon Barnatan is a concert pianist from Israel who started playing piano at age four. He came to the US in 2006 after living, studying, and performing for nine years in London.  Mr. Barnatan first applied for permission to remain in the United Kingdom.  However, when his application was denied, he applied and received approval of an O-1 visa to the United States.

Within months of receiving his O-1 visa, Mr. Barnatan was offered a management contract, a residency at New York's Lincoln Center, and an album-recording opportunity. Recently, Mr. Barnatan was two of five musicians awarded a $25,000 Avery Fisher Career Grant to help develop his career.  Mr. Barnatan says he feels like his talent is better appreciated in the US than it was in the UK.

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