Work visa · Arts & entertainment
The work visa for artists and creatives.
The O-1B is for people recognized for distinction in the arts — designers, musicians, filmmakers, creative directors — and for achievement in film and television. We map your work, roles, press and reviews to the criteria, prepare the advisory opinion, and your attorney files it.
O-1B · Case board
Illustrative4 / 6
criteria met
minimum is 3
- Lead or starring roles8 exhibits
- Recognition in press and reviews12 exhibits
- Critical role for distinguished clients5 exhibits
- Commercial or critical success6 exhibits
- High remunerationRate data needed
- Flat fee
- $12,000
- Time to filing
- ~6 weeks
- Lottery or cap
- None
- Premium processing
- 15 business days
- Signed and filed by a licensed attorney
- One fixed fee — no hourly billing
- RFE responses included
- A candid assessment before you pay
Fit
Is the O-1B right for you?
It covers any field of creative work — and it's often within reach for creatives whose work is credited, reviewed and in demand.
A strong fit
- Designers and creative directors with recognized work
- Musicians, performers and producers
- Filmmakers, editors and cinematographers
- Photographers, illustrators, chefs and other artists
- Creatives on F-1, OPT or H-1B who want to avoid the lottery
Probably not yet, if
- Most of your work is uncredited or under NDA
- Press covers the project, not your role in it
- No US work lined up yet — contracts or engagements
That's not a no. Credits, reviews and letters can be documented — and an agent can file for several engagements. A $200 strategy review shows the gaps.
Criteria
The six criteria.
USCIS asks you to meet at least three. Creatives often build on lead roles, press and reviews, work for well-known clients and commercial success.
Quick self-check: tap the criteria you think you meet.
0 / 6
Tap the criteria that fit your work.
Or skip the list: a nomination for, or win of, a major award — an Oscar, Emmy, Grammy or similar — can qualify on its own.
A quick self-check, not a legal assessment. Only an attorney can judge whether your evidence meets a criterion.
How we work
From first call to filed petition.
About six weeks, most of it spent on evidence and the argument — not paperwork.
- 1
Week 1
Candid assessment
An attorney reviews your work against the criteria, and confirms who will file — an employer or an agent for several engagements.
- 2
Weeks 1–2
Portfolio and evidence plan
AI maps credits, press and reviews to the criterion each supports and flags gaps. You get an exhibit index and a list of what's still needed.
- 3
Weeks 2–5
Letters and advisory opinion
We draft expert letters and the legal brief, and request the advisory opinion from the right peer group or union.
- 4
Week 6
Attorney files the I-129
Your attorney reviews, signs and files. If USCIS asks for more evidence, the response is included in your fee.
Accountability
AI prepares the petition. Your attorney signs it.
Every O-1B petition is reviewed, signed and filed by a licensed immigration attorney who answers for it — and for the response if USCIS asks for more.
- AIOrganizes evidence and drafts. It doesn't give legal advice.
- AttorneySets the strategy, writes the argument, signs and files.
- YouReview and approve everything before it's filed.
What you'll need
Evidence, gathered once.
Start with what you have. We'll tell you what each document proves — and what's missing.
01
About you
- CV or full list of credits
- Portfolio, reel or links to your work
- Passport and current immigration status
02
Recognition
- Press, reviews and interviews
- Awards, nominations and festival selections
- Exhibitions, showcases or features
03
Your work
- Credits with notable clients or productions
- Sales, streams, box office or ratings
- Rates or fees compared with your field
04
US work
- Contracts, deal memos or offers
- Itinerary if you'll work for several clients
- 4–6 experts who know your work
Don’t send passports or documents through the website — we set up a secure channel once you start.
Fees
One fixed fee. Government fees shown separately.
Milestone · O-1B
$12,000
flat fee per petition
Extension or amendment: $8,000
- Criteria assessment by an attorney
- Portfolio and evidence plan
- Expert letters and advisory opinion request
- Complete I-129 petition, filed by your attorney
- Request for Evidence (RFE) responses
Filing
US employees
Paid to the government
- Form I-129 filing fee
- $530
- Asylum Program FeeNonprofits pay $0
- $300
- Premium processingOptional · USCIS acts within 15 business days
- $2,965
- Visa stamping (if abroad)State Department fee, paid at the consulate
- Separate
Total to file
$12,000 Milestone + $830 USCIS
$12,830
Government fees are paid to USCIS or the State Department, not to Milestone, and change from time to time. Some unions and peer groups also charge a fee for the advisory opinion — we'll tell you before you file if yours does. Figures as of October 2026.
After approval
After the petition is approved.
Approval comes as a notice from USCIS. How you start depends on where you are.
Step 1
Petition approved
Inside the US
Change of status
If you're in the US in valid status, the petition can ask USCIS to change your status — no need to travel.
Outside the US
Visa interview
You apply for the O-1 visa at a US consulate, then enter the US with it.
Step 2
Working in the US
How long you can stay
Up to three years at first, tied to your engagements, then extensions in one-year increments for as long as the work continues.
Your family
Your spouse and children under 21 can join you in O-3 status. They can study, but can't work.
Questions
O-1B, plainly.
I'm freelance — who files my O-1B?
A US employer can file, or a US agent can — which is common for freelancers and artists with several clients. The petition then includes an itinerary of your engagements.
Do I need an award?
No. A major award or nomination can qualify on its own, but most O-1B petitions meet at least three of the six criteria instead.
What counts as “the arts”?
Any field of creative work — fine and visual arts, design, music, performing arts, culinary arts, photography, writing, film and television, and more.
Is there a lottery or an annual cap?
No. Unlike the H-1B, the O-1B has no lottery and no annual cap, so you can file at any time of year.
How long does it take?
We typically prepare and file within about six weeks, including the advisory opinion. With premium processing, USCIS acts within 15 business days. If you're abroad, consulate wait times vary.
What if USCIS asks for more evidence?
Your attorney prepares the response, and it's included in your flat fee.
Start your O-1B.
Tell us about your background. An attorney will tell you how strong the case is today — before you pay for a petition.