Individuals with an extraordinary ability in the sciences, education, business, or athletics.

To qualify under this category, the individual must have an extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business or athletics as demonstrated by showing at least three of the following criteria:

1. Nationally or internationally recognized awards in your field.

2. Membership in associations in the field which require outstanding achievement.

3. Published material in professional or major media about you and your work in the field.

4. Participation as a judge of the work of others in your field.

5. Original scientific, scholarly, or business-related contributions to the field.

6. Authorship of scholarly articles in professional journals or other major media.

7. Performing in a critical role for distinguished organizations.

8. Commanding a high salary for your services.

Individuals with an extraordinary ability in the arts or motion picture and television industries.

To qualify under this category, the individual must have an extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business or athletics as demonstrated by showing at least three of the following criteria:

1. Nationally or internationally recognized awards in your field.

2. Performing in a critical role for distinguished projects.

3. Published material about you in major media and/or major industry publications.

4. A record of critically acclaimed success as evidenced by occupational achievements.

5 Authorship of scholarly articles in the field in major media / journals.

6. Performing in a critical role for distinguished organizations.

7. Commanding a high salary for your services.

8. Significant recognition in the field.

Individuals who will accompany an O-1 artist or athlete to assist in a specific event or performance.

Individuals who are the spouse or children of O-1 and O-2 visa holders.

An E-1 non-immigrant is defined as an individual entitled to enter the United States pursuant to a treaty of commerce and navigation between the United States and the foreign state of which he is a national, and the spouse and children of any such individual if accompanying or following to join him, solely to carry on substantial trade (import or export) which is international in scope principally between U.S. and the foreign state of which s/he is a national.

An E-2 non-immigrant is defined as an individual entitled to enter the United States pursuant to a treaty of commerce and navigation between the United States and the foreign state of which he is a national, and the spouse and children of any such individual if accompanying or following to join him, solely to develop and direct the operations of an enterprise in which he has invested or of an enterprise in which he is actively in the process of investing, a substantial amount of capital (at least $50,000).

• The TN category is a special category created under NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) for qualifying professionals who are nationals of Canada or Mexico. Individuals qualified to enter the U.S. under this category can work for a company located in the U.S. for a temporary period. They can also work for a Canadian or Mexican company in the U.S. when those companies are engaged in projects with U.S. based companies. The initial time limit for a TN professional to work in the U.S. is one year, which can be renewed at one-year increments indefinitely.

• Mexican nationals require a visa before they can be admitted to the U.S. in this status, whereas Canadian nationals need only apply with the USCIS at the border and bypass the visa requirement.