O-1 for Canadian Nationals

The executive order facilitates the exchange of criminal history information between the U.S. and trusted allies for the purpose of screening travelers. O-1 visa applicants, as part of the broader pool of foreign nationals seeking entry, will be subject to these enhanced vetting protocols during visa interviews and border inspections.

USCIS is increasing the fee for Form I-907, which provides expedited adjudication for O-1 petitions for individuals with extraordinary ability. This adjustment is intended to account for inflation and support agency operational costs.

The guidance ensures that the criteria for O-1A petitions are applied consistently with the standards used for other extraordinary ability categories. It specifically addresses the types of documentation that satisfy regulatory criteria for professional athletes and their support personnel.

For 'full suspension' countries (e.g., Syria, Mali, Afghanistan), O-1 nonimmigrant entry is barred. For 'partial suspension' countries (e.g., Nigeria, Angola, Zambia), while O-1 is not explicitly barred, the proclamation mandates that consular officers reduce the validity period of any nonimmigrant visas issued to the extent permitted by law.