Can you hold an O-1 in one field and study a different field at the same time?

Yes, it is possible to hold an O-1 in one field while studying in a different one. The visa does not prohibit you from taking courses or deepening your knowledge in a subject other than the one that supported your approval.

The key consideration is the very nature of the O-1: it is granted based on your extraordinary achievement in a specific specialty, and your status depends on your continued work in that area. Studies in another field serve as a complement and cannot replace the work that sustains the visa.

In practice, this means organizing your routine so that:

• The professional activity that justifies the O-1 remains your primary focus.
• Complementary studies do not interfere with those obligations.
• You can demonstrate, if needed, that you continue to work in your area of extraordinary achievement.

If the demands of your studies begin to compete with the work that underpins the visa, questions may arise about the maintenance of your status. For that reason, it is worth checking the current rules with USCIS or a specialist before combining both without risk.

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.