Do I need to have a company open in my home country?

No. The O-1 does not require applicants to have a company open in their home country. What the visa evaluates is extraordinary ability and recognition in your field, demonstrated through elements such as awards, publications, expert evaluations, and other indicators of professional distinction.

Having a company may add to the overall picture, but only as a complement, never as a requirement. For some profiles, it helps show organizational structure, an entrepreneurial track record, or the viability of projects and services. Even so, the center of the analysis remains your history of achievements.

• The focus is on proving recognized excellence in your field of expertise.
• A business of your own is optional and counts only as supporting evidence.
• Well-organized documentation carries more weight than corporate structure.

Since each case is evaluated individually, it is worth confirming the requirements applicable to your profile on the official source (USCIS) or with a specialist before filing a petition.

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.