Is it faster to get the O-1 through the consulate than through USCIS?

There is no single answer. The O-1 is not a one-step process: first, the petition must be approved by USCIS, and if you are outside the United States, you then go through an interview at a consulate to obtain the visa stamp in your passport. Each phase has its own timelines and procedures.

USCIS approval of the petition is required regardless of path. How long this review takes varies with the complexity of the case and current processing volumes, and there is an option for premium processing, which expedites this stage for an additional fee.

The consular stage, on the other hand, depends on the appointment availability at the post where you will be seen. Depending on the consulate, scheduling an interview can be faster or slower, and this is independent of USCIS processing times.

For this reason, it is not possible to state that the consulate is always faster than USCIS. For realistic timelines, consult the official sources from USCIS and the relevant consulate, or review your specific situation with an immigration specialist.

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.