Can I travel to Brazil (or another country) after approval of the O-1 without having the visa stamped in my passport?

Let”s start by explaining that the O-1 visa is intended for individuals with extraordinary abilities in specific fields and, once approved, grants authorization to work in the United States. However, it is crucial to understand how this status behaves in international travel situations.

If you obtained O-1 visa approval through a change of status while you were already in the United States, this status is valid internally, but the approval document (usually Form I-797) is not, by itself, a visa placed in the passport. This means that if you leave the country – whether to Brazil or any other destination – you will, in most cases, need to obtain the visa stamp at a U.S. consulate or embassy in order to return.

In other words, O-1 approval within the U.S. does not exempt you from needing a visa stamped in your passport if you are undertaking international travel that requires reentry to the United States. Furthermore, it is important to emphasize that each situation has its particularities. It is recommended that you consult the U.S. consulate or embassy before planning your trip to check current procedures and ensure all requirements are in order.

Remembering to follow all immigration laws is essential, and by seeking specialized guidance, you avoid falling for easy-result promises often presented in marketing campaigns. Staying informed and turning to reliable sources on the subject is the best way to ensure your rights and immigration status are preserved. Every step of the process, from approval to reentry to the United States, must be carefully and attentively monitored so that there are no unforeseen events that could jeopardize your status.

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

Leading journalism and editorial content at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps make immigration topics clear, trustworthy, and easy to understand. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.