O1 / Artist Visa Lawyer: Law Offices of Marcus Yi
  • Home
  • Marcus Yi
  • Client Success Stories
  • Visa Options
    • Non-Immigrant Visas >
      • O1 Artist Visa Lawyers
      • P-1B A MEMBER OF AN INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED ENTERTAINMENT GROUP
      • P-2 Exchange Program
      • P-3 Culturally Unique Program
      • H-1B Specialty Occupation
      • H-1B1 Singapore-Chile Free Trade Agreement
      • L-1A Intracompany Manager
      • L-1B Intracompany Specialized Knowledge
      • Q Cultural Exchange
    • Immigrant Visas >
      • Business Based Immigration >
        • EB1 Extraordinary Ability Guide
        • EB-5 Investor Visa
      • Family Based Immigration >
        • Marriage Based Green Card
        • Same-Sex Marriage Green Card
  • Contact
  • Latest News

law offices of marcus yi
​the o-1 visa lawyer

WHAT CELEBRITIES ARE ON THE O-1 VISA?

The O-1 visa is a special work visa granted to individuals with extraordinary ability in fields such as arts, entertainment, sciences, athletics, and business. Many international celebrities, artists, and professionals have used this visa to live and work in the United States while pursuing their careers.
Since the O-1 visa is highly selective, it is commonly used by actors, musicians, filmmakers, athletes, and business leaders who have received significant industry recognition for their work.

Notable Celebrities on the O-1 Visa

While individual visa records are confidential, many public figures and reports indicate that several international celebrities have obtained an O-1 visa to work in the U.S. Some examples include:

Actors & Filmmakers

  • Ryan Reynolds – The Canadian actor, known for Deadpool, worked in the U.S. on an O-1 visa before becoming a permanent resident.
  • Hugh Jackman – The Australian actor, famous for his role as Wolverine, reportedly used an O-1 visa early in his Hollywood career.
  • Benedict Cumberbatch – The British actor behind Doctor Strange and Sherlock is believed to have obtained an O-1 visa to work in the U.S.
  • Charlize Theron – Originally from South Africa, the Mad Max: Fury Road actress worked in the U.S. before obtaining a green card.
Musicians & Singers
  • Justin Bieber – The Canadian pop star originally entered the U.S. under an O-1 visa before obtaining permanent residency.
  • Adele – The British singer, known for her chart-topping albums, has reportedly used the O-1 visa for her U.S. tours and performances.
  • Drake – The Canadian rapper and music mogul likely relied on an O-1 visa before securing long-term U.S. residency.
  • Shakira – The Colombian singer, famous for Hips Don’t Lie, has worked in the U.S. extensively and is believed to have used an O-1 visa.
Athletes & Sports Figures
  • Lionel Messi – The world-renowned soccer star, who played for Paris Saint-Germain and now Inter Miami, likely entered the U.S. under an O-1 visa.
  • Novak Djokovic – The Serbian tennis champion has frequently competed in U.S. tournaments and is believed to have used an O-1 visa.
  • Cristiano Ronaldo – The Portuguese football legend has spent significant time in the U.S. for endorsements and training, possibly under an O-1 visa.
Entrepreneurs & Business Leaders
  • Elon Musk – The Tesla and SpaceX CEO, originally from South Africa, used various U.S. visas, including the O-1, before obtaining citizenship.
  • Satya Nadella – The CEO of Microsoft, originally from India, reportedly worked in the U.S. on visas such as the O-1 before securing permanent status.

Why Do Celebrities Use the O-1 Visa?

The O-1 visa is preferred by celebrities and industry professionals because:
  • It has no annual cap, unlike the H-1B visa.
  • It allows unrestricted travel in and out of the U.S. during validity.
  • It can be renewed indefinitely as long as the individual continues to meet the visa criteria.
  • It provides flexibility, allowing individuals to work on multiple projects.

Final Thoughts

Many internationally recognized actors, musicians, athletes, and business leaders have entered the U.S. using an O-1 visa, allowing them to build successful careers. The visa is an excellent option for those with extraordinary talent who want to work in the U.S. without long-term residency requirements.

​Thinking about applying for an O-1 visa? Contact us today for expert guidance!

 

MEET YOUR NEW ATTORNEY

Picture

Marcus Yi, Esq. provides personalized immigration law representation for both employment and family based immigration matters. An artist himself, Mr. Yi understands the unique nature of the arts industry, and is fully qualified to provide the best service for artists seeking to work in the United States.

​
He has represented corporations, non-profit organizations, and individuals, in the process of obtaining temporary visas for work, study and training, lawful permanent residence (a “green card”) and U.S. citizenship. He advises employers and individuals on all phases of immigration applications, from screening prospective hires to identifying visa strategies for new jobs and career transitions, through employment-based paths to permanent residence and naturalization. 

Marcus Yi graduated from  St John’s University School of Law, where he earned a Juris Doctorate degree in 2011. He is a member of the New York State Bar and is licensed to practice in State and Federal court. He is also a NYC member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association New York Chapter.

CONTACT US

Immigration law can be convoluted and complex. At the Law Offices of Marcus Yi, we are devoted to guiding you through US immigration law so contact us today to schedule a consultation.

Law offices of marcus yi: O1 visa lawyer NYC

​315 W. 36th St
New York NY 10018

Contact Us 

Easy Links
O1 Visa Lawyer
P3 Visa Lawyer
H1B1 Visa Lawyer