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Can I form partnerships with American companies?

The O-1 visa allows partnerships and collaborations with U.S. companies within your area of expertise. Understand the limits of the visa before entering into more complex agreements.

Written by

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Updated on July 17, 2026
1 min read
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Yes, in general this is possible. The O-1 visa was created to attract extraordinary talent and allows you to carry out activities related to your field of expertise, which can include collaborations and partnerships with U.S. companies.

The key consideration is that these partnerships must respect the conditions of the visa. The activity needs to align with the scope for which the O-1 was granted and cannot exceed the limits of your authorized work in the country.

If the partnership involves, for example, creating a business entity, establishing a new employment relationship, or any activity outside what was originally contemplated, you may need to reassess your immigration status. For this reason, it is worth maintaining disciplined conduct and confirming that each agreement falls within the permissions of your visa.

To structure more complex partnerships safely, the ideal approach is to review the updated guidance from USCIS or consult professionals who specialize in immigration.

Learn more about O-1

Requirement
Extraordinary ability
Initial validity
3 years
Extension
1 year at a time (unlimited)
Processing
2-4 months
All about O-1

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.

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Can I form partnerships with American companies?

The O-1 visa allows partnerships and collaborations with U.S. companies within your area of expertise. Understand the limits of the visa before entering into more complex agreements.

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