Whether you are a researcher, scientist, entrepreneur, artist, or athlete — if your talent and accomplishments place you at the top of your field, there is a U.S. immigration pathway built for you. We help you navigate it.
At Ozek Law Firm, we specialize in helping individuals with extraordinary abilities navigate the U.S. immigration system through the EB-1, EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW), and O-1 visa categories. Our expert legal team is dedicated to assisting clients who possess exceptional talent or accomplishments in their respective fields — from STEM researchers and business executives to performing artists and world-class athletes.
With years of experience handling extraordinary skill visa cases, we understand the nuances of these complex immigration processes — the evidentiary standards, the regulatory criteria, and the strategic presentation of achievements that makes the difference between approval and denial. We build cases that tell your story compellingly and meet every USCIS requirement.
From gathering documentation and building a strong initial petition to responding to Requests for Evidence (RFEs) and handling appeals — we are with you at every stage of the process.
Whether you seek a temporary work authorization or a direct path to U.S. permanent residency, the EB-1, EB-2 NIW, and O-1 programs provide distinct options based on your field, achievements, and immigration goals.
The EB-1A is the premier immigrant visa for individuals who have risen to the very top of their field — recognized through sustained national or international acclaim. No employer sponsorship is required, and no labor certification is needed. Applicants must satisfy at least 3 of 10 regulatory criteria demonstrating extraordinary achievement.
The EB-1B is designed for professors and researchers who have achieved international recognition for outstanding contributions in a specific academic or research field. Unlike EB-1A, employer sponsorship is required — but no labor certification. Applicants must have at least 3 years of experience and a permanent position at a university, research institution, or corporate research department.
The EB-1C provides a pathway to permanent residency for executives and managers of multinational companies who have been employed abroad by a qualifying organization for at least one year in the past three years and are being transferred to the U.S. to work in a managerial or executive capacity for the same organization, its subsidiary, or an affiliate.
The EB-2 NIW allows individuals with an advanced degree or exceptional ability in their field to self-petition for a Green Card — bypassing both employer sponsorship and the PERM labor certification process — if they can demonstrate their work is in the substantial merit and national importance of the United States. The three-prong Matter of Dhanasar test governs all NIW petitions.
The O-1A visa is a non-immigrant visa for individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary achievement in business, science, education, or athletics. It requires an employer or agent sponsor and is typically issued for up to 3 years, with extensions available. The O-1A is often used as a stepping stone toward EB-1A permanent residency — allowing extraordinary individuals to work in the U.S. while their immigrant petition progresses.
The O-1B visa is tailored for artists, entertainers, and individuals in the motion picture and television industry who have demonstrated extraordinary accomplishment — evidenced by a degree of skill and recognition substantially above that ordinarily encountered. A distinction is drawn for those in the arts generally versus those in the motion picture and television industry, with different evidentiary standards applying to each.
The EB-1 and EB-2 NIW categories offer a direct path to U.S. permanent residency — the Green Card. For EB-1A and EB-2 NIW, no employer sponsorship is required, making these self-petition categories ideal for highly accomplished individuals who want immigration independence. EB-1B and EB-1C require employer sponsorship but eliminate the PERM labor certification process, making them faster routes to a Green Card for professors, researchers, and multinational executives.
The O-1A and O-1B are non-immigrant visas that authorize temporary work in the U.S. for individuals of extraordinary ability. While they do not lead directly to a Green Card, O-1 visas are frequently used as a strategic bridge — allowing extraordinary individuals to work and establish themselves in the U.S. while their immigrant petition (typically EB-1A) is pending. The O-1 can be extended indefinitely in one-year increments as long as the underlying activity continues.
Every extraordinary skill visa category has specific evidentiary criteria. USCIS applies a two-step analysis — first determining whether the evidence meets the regulatory criteria count, and then conducting a 'final merits determination' to assess whether the totality of the evidence establishes the requisite level of extraordinary ability or achievement.
“We do not just check boxes — we build a coherent, compelling narrative around your achievements that positions your case for approval from the first submission.”
Tolga Ozek — Founding PrincipalDocumentation of nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence in the field — including competitive grants, fellowships, and honors from professional associations.
Membership in associations in the field that require outstanding achievement as a condition of membership, as judged by recognized national or international experts.
Published material in professional or major trade publications or other major media relating to your work in the field — including articles, profiles, features, and interviews in recognized outlets.
Evidence of participation — individually or on a panel — as a judge of the work of others in the same or allied fields, including peer review, grant evaluation, competition judging, and editorial board service.
Evidence of original scientific, scholarly, artistic, athletic, or business-related contributions of major significance to the field — patents, publications, citations, and implementation of innovations that have impacted the field.
Evidence that you have commanded a high salary or remuneration for services in relation to others in the field — salary data, contracts, and third-party evidence establishing that your compensation substantially exceeds industry norms.
From initial eligibility assessment through petition approval — and beyond — we manage every dimension of your extraordinary skill visa case with precision and strategic depth.
We evaluate your professional background, achievements, and evidence against the specific regulatory criteria for EB-1A, EB-1B, EB-1C, EB-2 NIW, O-1A, and O-1B — identifying the strongest visa category and the most compelling evidence in your profile.
We carefully assess every piece of evidence — awards, publications, citations, recommendation letters, salary data, and media coverage — and develop a customized presentation strategy that positions your achievements to meet the USCIS 'final merits determination' standard.
We prepare and file the complete petition package — I-140 for EB-1 and EB-2 NIW categories, I-129 for O-1 categories — with a comprehensive legal brief, organized exhibits, and expert recommendation letters tailored to USCIS standards.
If USCIS issues a Request for Evidence or denies the petition, we respond strategically — analyzing the specific deficiencies identified, marshaling additional evidence, and crafting legal arguments that address every point of concern directly and persuasively.
Once the immigrant petition is approved, we guide clients through either consular processing abroad or adjustment of status (I-485) in the U.S. — managing all required forms, medical examinations, civil documents, and interview preparation.
We manage O-1 extensions and petition amendments as your activities and employment evolve — and provide ongoing support for maintaining status, transitioning to immigrant categories, and addressing any immigration compliance issues that arise.
At Ozek Law Firm, we bring a proven track record, personalized service, and in-depth knowledge of extraordinary skill visa law. Whether you are applying from within the U.S. or abroad, we are equipped to manage your case at any stage of the process — from initial assessment through final approval and beyond.
We handle EB-1A, EB-1B, EB-1C, EB-2 NIW, O-1A, and O-1B with equal depth — providing a single trusted counsel who understands the full landscape of extraordinary skill immigration and can advise on the optimal path.
We do not submit a checklist — we build a coherent, persuasive narrative around your career and achievements that satisfies the final merits determination and tells USCIS unambiguously why you belong in the extraordinary ability category.
Licensed in D.C., MD, NY and the Istanbul Bar, we serve extraordinary talent from around the world — advising clients from Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America on U.S. extraordinary skill visa pathways.
We build every petition with an RFE in mind — anticipating the objections USCIS is most likely to raise for each specific applicant profile and pre-emptively addressing them in the initial submission.
Attorney-at-Law — Extraordinary Skill Immigration (EB1, EB2 NIW, O1)
Tolga Ozek brings over 13 years of experience helping researchers, scientists, executives, artists, and athletes secure EB-1, EB-2 NIW, and O-1 visas. Licensed in D.C., MD, NY and the Istanbul Bar, he is known for building evidence-driven, narrative-rich petitions that clearly satisfy the USCIS extraordinary ability standard — and for the strategic counsel that turns initial RFEs into approvals.
If you possess extraordinary ability in your field and are looking to work or live in the U.S., Ozek Law Firm is here to help you navigate the EB-1, EB-2 NIW, and O-1 visa processes. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn how we can build the strongest possible case for your immigration goals.
