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Start from Zero:
Step by Step Guide to Getting Your O1 Visa

Want to work in the United States in the creative industry but not sure where to start? We are here to help. If you have talent and work ethic, you can start from zero and get to where you need to be quickly.

$149

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Sound Painfully Familiar?

I'm graduating with a degree in film and really want to make it in Hollywood. I haven't been in that many festivals yet. How am I supposed to qualify for the O1 visa?

I've been working for a while now as a designer, but I am tired of being tied to one company and passing up all the lucrative freelance jobs. I need a more flexible visa. Where do I start?

I went to a lawyer and was told I don't have enough achievements yet. How do I get more? I keep getting job offers and it's so frustrating I can't accept them because I don't have a visa.

How We Can Help

We designed a self-paced online course packed with actionable information and tips that will help you with every step you need to take to get your dream O1 visa to continue your artistic career in the United States. From little known strategies to win awards starting with nothing to smart ways of getting publicity, you will have a very clear picture of how you can get started after finishing this course.

This is not legal advice. You must still retain your own attorney for your case filing. We can refer you to our curated network of immigration attorneys who have many years of successful cases.

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Actionable Chapters

CHAPTER 1

What is the O1 Visa?
We explore the official definition of the O1 visa; why it’s not just for artists; and why many people missed the opportunity to apply.
We explain the two types of O1 visa: O1A and O1B and how to qualify for them.
A detailed and realistic breakdown of how much you should expect to spend to file for an O1 visa.
We clarify common misconceptions of the O1 visa once and for all.

CHAPTER 2

How to Win Awards in Your Industries?
We lay out a roadmap for you to apply and win for awards in the most efficient and quick ways possible.
We curated a rich (read: long) list of reputable awards in 10 popular creative industries so you can kickstart your submission without wasting time.

CHAPTER 3

No Invitation Needed: Get into Invite-Only Professional Organizations

We explore little-known strategies to get invited to invite-only professional organizations.

We show you how to find these prestigious organizations.

We show you how you can write a compelling pitch letter to get a better chance at being invited to these organizations.

CHAPTER 4

Pitch Perfect: Becoming a Judge is Easier Than You Think
We explain how to pitch yourself to become judges at award shows in your industry.
We show you how to write a compelling letter to get accepted as a judge.
We explain the kind of awards you have a great chance of being accepted as a judge.

CHAPTER 5

Be Your Own Publicist: Pitching to Get Press for Yourself
You don’t have to wait for media exposure because you can find it yourself by pitching. We explain how you can do that successfully.
How do you reach out to the right journalists who would be interested in writing about you? We explain different strategies that will get you noticed.
We provide a sample PR pitch as a template to help you get started on reaching out to journalists.

CHAPTER 6

Smart Ways to Find Exhibition Opportunities for Your Creative Work
Besides traditional museums and galleries, there are other venues you can get exhibited. We will show you how to find them.
You don’t have to wait to get exhibition opportunities. We explain how you can successfully organize your own exhibition.
You need a great network to get opportunities and we show you how you can form these relationships.
We show you how to get publicity for your exhibitions.

CHAPTER 7

How to Get Your Creative Work Published Besides Submission
We show you how to leverage your awards to get publication opportunities.
Made friends with achieved creatives? We explain how you should partner with them to get your work shown.
Get your foot in the door first and start socializing with people within publications by becoming a guest writer.

CHAPTER 8

How to Get the Perfect Recommendation Letters
We explain the importance of getting the right recommendation to shine light on your achievements.
Not everyone is a great candidate to be a recommender. We help you identify the right people whose letters will add value to your case.
The more the merrier? Not so fast. We explain the optimal amount of letters you should aim to get.
Not everyone is a great writer. We show you valuable tips on helping your recommenders write the best letters for you.
Don’t start the last minute. We show you how far in advance you should be planning to reach out.
Framing your recommenders in the best light possible also increases the value of their opinions. We show you how you can make them sound authoritative in your field.

CHAPTER 9

How to Find Your O1 Agent
If you need more work freedom, getting an agent is the way to go. We explain who can be an O1 agent.
We explain why you should consider getting an agent for maximum flexibility of working in the US.
Not everybody works with an agent traditionally. We explain how you can get an agent who can act as your O1 sponsor.
Agents don’t come free. We show you a realistic picture of how much you can expect to spend in order to hire them.

CHAPTER 10

Getting the Peer Group or Labor Union Consultation Letter
We explain how you can get a peer union letter confirming your eligibility for the O1 visa.

CHAPTER 11

Crafting an Ironclad Itinerary
The USCIS needs to know every little details about what you are going to do in the US. We explain how much details you need to show them.
We give you an example of a detailed deal demo/employment offer that will satisfy the requirement of documenting your employment activities in the US.
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Valuable Bonuses

BONUS 1

The Playbook for the Aspiring Entrepreneurs
The O1 is not an entrepreneur visa, but can you still start your own business? We explain what you can and cannot do.
If you don’t have a few employers lined up but would like to take clients through your own company, can you be sponsored an O1 through your business? We explain what you can and cannot do if you choose to try this route.

BONUS 2

Finding and Working with the Best O1 Lawyers
There are many lawyers you can choose from. We show you how you can do due diligence to make sure you hire the best one.
Some lawyers charge to speak to you. Should you consider it? We explain the pros and cons.
We explain best practices when working with a lawyer to help you get the best results.
Lawyers come at significant costs. We explain how much you should expect to spend on legal fees.

BONUS 3

How to Handle the Dreaded Request for Evidence (RFE)
As USCIS tightens up scrutiny of every immigration case, we expect more and more Request for Evidence to be issued. We discuss important things to keep in mind when receiving an RFE.
We discuss some of the most common reasons that may cause you to receive an RFE.
You cannot completely avoid an RFE, but you can surely employ these strategies to minimize your chances of getting one.
When you and your lawyer work on the response, remember these best practices to make sure that nothing gets left out.

What Our Students Say

In January, I had no awards and very few to show on my portfolio, but I know I needed to get an O1 visa because my student visa is running out. After speaking to Path Unbound, I got to working on creating design that has award potentials. Within 2 months, I have won my very first award! I am beyond grateful for the coaching I received. And guess what? I just got accepted to be a judge at a big award yesterday!
Rita LUX Designer
My school doesn't provide any specific resources regarding the O1. They just told me to go to a lawyer. I don't want to go without a plan and not sure where to start. Then I was referred to Path Unbound - I was thrilled to learn everything about the O1 all in one simple course. Now I feel ready to get started. Thank you!
Tim HFilmmaker
Earlier this year, my H1B was running out and I didn't like working for the company anymore. A friend told me I could try for the O1 because I work in the creative field and many people do that. I have heard of it before but didn't think I would qualify. After I came across Path Unbound and took the O1 course, I realized it's so much less scary than I thought! I really started working on my strategies and now I am ready to file!
Shreeya PCreative Strategist
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Frequently Asked Questions

A lot of people asked us these questions. Feel free to contact us directly if yours isn’t listed here.

No, we are not a law firm. We do not offer any legal advice. Everything you purchased or consumed from our website is meant for informational and educational purposes only. We strongly advice that you retain a lawyer for your visa and immigration need.

However, we do have a curated directory of immigration law firms that specialize in helping creative professionals obtain visas in the United States. Please reach out to us for a referral.

Unfortunately, digital products cannot be returned or refunded once purchased. However, we take your feedback very seriously. If you have suggestions on how we can improve in the future, please send them our way through the contact page.

We create practical career and immigration guides for the international creative community. At this stage, we are focused on creating resources for international creatives who came to, or intend to come to, the United States to study and work. In the future, we plan to expand our reach and produce career contents for creative professionals around the world.

No, while we serve the creative community primarily, we define “creative” broadly. For example, you can be a writer, producer, or a freelancer who juggle different creative projects and you are still part of our creative community!

We understand that people learn and benefit from our resources differently. While some are more comfortable taking an online course or reading an article, others prefer more personalized guidance. You will benefit from in-person consultation if you have questions that are more urgent and detailed. We encourage you to explore your options and see which one works best for you.

We strive to make sure that the information we provide on our website, online courses and consultation sessions is accurate and up-to-date. Because information changes frequently, we cannot guarantee 100% accuracy. The best way to make sure you have the most accurate information is to check official websites such as uscis.gov on a regular basis.

If you find something inaccurate or inconsistent with the latest information available on official websites, please feel free to notify us via our contact page. We will update the information promptly.

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