Stay in the U.S.
the talent way.
No lottery, no waiting on an employer. Here is a clear list of actions to win an O-1 or EB-1 talent visa — including building your own startup so you can create your own job.
O-1 approval rate: 91%
USCIS data, Q3 FY2026
Your action list for a talent visa
Every step is something you can start this quarter. Work down the list.
Map your evidence today
List awards, press, judging, high salary, publications and critical roles. Match them to the O-1 (3 of 8) and EB-1A (3 of 10) criteria.
Get a job — or create one
Find an employer that files O-1 petitions, or found a startup that can petition for you. Your own company can be your sponsor.
Build a real product with UpskillPM
Ship a product with real users in our program. It proves original contributions and a critical role as founder.
Collect recommendation letters
UpskillPM writes recommendation letters describing the concrete work we watched you do.
Record founder video podcasts
We record podcasts with you as a founder — published media about you and your work counts as evidence.
Get funding & prepare your pitch
Investor backing, accelerators and pitch awards are strong signals. We teach fundraising and run pitch practice.
Keep your current status safe
Don't let OPT or H-1B lapse while you build. Plan your timeline months ahead.
File a complete petition
Since Aug 2026 USCIS can deny without asking for more evidence. Work with a licensed attorney and aim for 4–5 criteria.
Build a product. We build your case.
- ✓Build a real product — ship it with mentors, get real users and become a founder.
- ✓Recommendation letters — written for you by UpskillPM about the work we saw you do.
- ✓Founder video podcasts — we record you on camera, building your public profile.
- ✓Funding & pitch coaching — learn to raise money and pitch like a founder who belongs.
Guides & tips
Written for working immigrants who want to stay.
O-1 vs EB-1A: which talent visa fits a working immigrant?
One is a fast work visa, the other a green card. Here is how to pick — and why many people do both.
No sponsor? Create your own job by founding a startup
Your employer doesn't have to be someone else. Here's how founders sponsor their own visa.
Recommendation letters that officers actually believe
Generic praise gets flagged. Specific, verifiable impact gets approved.
Why a founder video podcast strengthens your case
Published media about you and your work is evidence. Here's how to build it the right way.
Funding and pitching: the evidence most immigrants skip
Investor backing signals that experts bet on you. Learn to raise and pitch with confidence.
8 tips for filing a talent visa under 2026 rules
Stricter evidence standards mean you need a complete file from the start.
O-1 & EB-1 news and reports
What changed recently — and why it matters for your filing.
- DataUSCIS Q3 FY2026: O-1 approval holds at 91%, EB-1A drops to 32.2%Manifest Law · Sep 9, 2026
- PolicyUSCIS can now deny petitions without first issuing an RFEUSCIS · Aug 5, 2026
- AnalysisWhat the RFE policy change means for O-1A and EB-1A filersUSIA · Aug 13, 2026
- PolicyDHS withdraws planned EB-1 and NIW overhaul — current standards stayUSIA · Aug 31, 2026
- AnalysisEB-1A RFEs shift from 'missing evidence' to 'authenticity doubt'Immigration Analytics · Sep 25, 2026
- BulletinOctober 2026 Visa Bulletin: EB-1 movement for India-born applicantsClark Hill · Oct 1, 2026
Founders who stayed
Real immigrants who got their talent visa by building something. Shared publicly on LinkedIn.
Soundarya Balasubramani
O-1A, solo founder
No PhD, no patents, no funding, a prior denial — and still approved. Books, articles, podcasts and media told her story.
Read on LinkedIn →Sarah Allali
O-1, French founder of Lobby
Accelerator, VC funding, two startups as CEO and some press coverage were enough to meet the criteria.
Read on LinkedIn →Austin Nguyen
O-1, co-founder & CTO
Chose to build a startup on OPT instead of going home — O-1 approved and $1M revenue in 365 days.
Read on LinkedIn →Sid Bendre
O-1A, co-founder of Quizard AI
Built a product with millions of users, won hackathons, joined selective accelerators — 800 pages of evidence.
Read on LinkedIn →Akylai Kasymkulova
O-1, AI founder from Kyrgyzstan
Left home at 18 with $1,500. Three years later: backed by top investors, serving Fortune 50 customers.
Read on LinkedIn →Kashyap Achar
O-1, Canadian founder
Months of evidence and reference letters — now legally building his company in the U.S.
Read on LinkedIn →Questions? Talk to us.
Tell us your visa goal and we'll help you map your first actions. Prefer chatting? Message us on WhatsApp.
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