Social Influencers and content creators on subscription platforms, including OnlyFans, are increasingly applying for O-1B visas in the US for individuals with outstanding achievements in the arts, the Financial Times reported.
According to the publication, attorneys in such cases are using digital metrics – audience, reach, revenue and commercial collaborations – as one way to prove the applicant’s “track record” and professional success, and a niche market of lawyers specialising in such applications has developed.
At the same time, we are not talking about a “new visa for models”, but about the current O-1 category (extraordinary ability/achievement), which is often referred to in the public sphere as a “talent visa”. Its formal requirements are set by USCIS regulations and federal regulations, and do not contain a separate numerosity criterion – the applicant must prove extraordinary ability or achievement through prescribed sets of evidence.
According to U.S. Department of State statistics, in FY 2024, consulates issued 19,457 O-1 visas, 13,922 O-2 visas (accompanying professionals), and 6,035 O-3 visas (family members).