Can I withdraw an O-1 petition after it has been submitted?

Yes, it is generally possible to withdraw an O-1 petition even after it has been submitted. The withdrawal is typically requested with the USCIS, and the party who normally has authority to do so is the petitioner, that is, the employer or agent responsible for the petition.

The O-1 is the category for professionals with extraordinary ability in fields such as arts, sciences, education, business, or athletics. Because the petition is filed by a petitioner on your behalf, the decision to withdraw it involves both you and that party, and it is important to align on this clearly.

Before withdrawing, consider a few points:

• Some of the costs and time already invested may not be recoverable.
• The withdrawal has implications that depend on the stage at which the process stands.
• Discontinuing a petition may affect future immigration status plans.

For this reason, any decision should be made with full awareness of the legal and personal impacts. The safest course is to review your situation with an immigration professional and confirm the withdrawal procedure with USCIS before taking action.

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.