De chef invitado a fijo: ¿Cómo convertir los visados O-1 y P-3 en una tarjeta verde culinaria?

Angelica Rice • June 19, 2025

 Click here to read this article in English

Si ha llegado a Estados Unidos como profesional de la cocina -quizá con un visado O-1B que reconoce su extraordinario talento, o un visado P-3 para compartir su rico patrimonio culinario-, ¡enhorabuena! Ya ha demostrado que destaca en su oficio. Pero ¿y si le dijéramos que su viaje no tiene por qué terminar cuando lo haga su visado temporal? De hecho, su situación actual podría ser el trampolín perfecto para algo mucho más duradero: una tarjeta verde a través de la categoría EB-1A.


El visado EB-1A es un visado de inmigrante basado en el empleo de primera preferencia, diseñado para personas con «aptitudes extraordinarias» en campos como las artes, las ciencias, la educación, los negocios o el atletismo. Y sí, las artes culinarias cuentan. La clave está en demostrar que tus aptitudes han llegado a lo más alto en tu campo. Si ya has pasado por el proceso O-1 o P-3, es probable que estés bien encaminado.


Aquí está la buena noticia: muchas de las pruebas utilizadas para obtener su visado O-1B o P-3 pueden reutilizarse para su petición EB-1A. Premios, artículos de prensa, testimonios de expertos y pruebas de su trabajo en prestigiosas cocinas o en eventos culturales: todo ello vuelve a tener valor. Pero lo que es aún más emocionante es que todo lo que ha logrado durante su estancia en los Estados Unidos con su visado temporal, ya sea lanzar un menú de degustación, protagonizar un documental gastronómico, o dirigir talleres culinarios, ahora se puede utilizar para fortalecer aún más su caso. 


Según el USCIS, los solicitantes del EB-1A deben cumplir al menos tres de los diez criterios, a menos que hayan recibido un premio importante reconocido internacionalmente. Estos criterios incluyen cosas como material publicado sobre su trabajo, contribuciones originales de gran importancia, salario alto y un papel crítico en organizaciones distinguidas. Para muchos chefs, sobre todo los que han prosperado en el mundo de la hostelería estadounidense, es absolutamente factible con la orientación adecuada.


Lo que distingue a la EB-1A es que no requiere un empleador patrocinador. Así es, ¡puede solicitarlo usted mismo! Esto significa que su carrera culinaria puede ser tan flexible y emprendedora como usted quiera, ya sea abriendo su propio restaurante, expandiéndose a los medios de comunicación o continuando su camino hacia el corazón de Estados Unidos. ¿Y lo que es mejor? Puede ser una de las vías más rápidas para obtener la tarjeta de residencia. Con el procesamiento premium, su petición I-140 puede ser adjudicada en sólo 15 días hábiles. Y si la categoría de visado EB-1 de su país está actualizada en el boletín de visados en el momento de la aprobación, puede ser elegible para presentar su solicitud de tarjeta verde inmediatamente. Esta combinación de rapidez, autonomía y flexibilidad hace que el EB-1A sea un paso increíblemente atractivo en su camino hacia la inmigración.


En Santos Lloyd Law Firm, nos encanta ayudar a profesionales creativos a dar su próximo gran paso. Si usted ya ha asombrado al mundo con su cocina, la EB-1A puede ser su oportunidad para quedarse y dejar su marca para siempre. ¡Contáctenos hoy para averiguar si la EB-1A es el siguiente paso correcto para usted!

Este blog no pretende ser una asesoría legal y nada aquí debe interpretarse como el establecimiento de una relación abogado-cliente. Programe una consulta con un abogado de inmigración antes de actuar sobre cualquier información que aquí lea

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Angelica Rice

2026 Visa Freeze and Travel Bans

By Juliana LaMendola • March 13, 2026
On January 14, 2026, the Trump administration announced a freeze on immigrant visa issuance for nationals of 75 countries . The administration states that this “visa freeze” is intended to review security protocols, “reduce risks,” and control immigration flows. However, the immediate reality is that this change in policy has temporarily suspended visa processing and restricted travel for applicants from numerous countries across the globe. While the legal landscape surrounding these suspensions is highly fluid and subject to change, it is important to consider how this “visa freeze” might impact your current status or immigration plans. The scope of the restrictions varies drastically depending on your country of origin and specific visa category. Most notably, a nationality-based travel ban restricts visa issuance for 19 countries : Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. Beyond this targeted ban, a broader freeze affects applicants from a designated list of up to 75 countries, leading to indefinite delays for many visa petitions. However, it is important to note that immigrant visa applications first need to be processed through USCIS, which has not paused processing applications from the 75 countries. Thus, it is important to contact an attorney to understand at what point in the process this visa freeze may affect your case. While Brazil is included in the list of 75 countries, at the time of this publication, the freeze does not include non-immigrant visas for Brazil . Non-immigrant visas are granted to foreign nationals seeking to enter the United States on a temporary basis for specific purposes, such as tourism, studying, or temporary work. This means that Brazilian applicants can still safely pursue non-immigrant employment options, such as O visas for individuals with extraordinary ability or P visas for internationally recognized athletes, without being subjected to the current travel bans or suspensions. This alert is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. There are many changes and uncertainties, so please consult with a qualified attorney at Santos Lloyd Law Firm, P.C. to understand how these evolving policies might affect your specific case

The 2026 RFE Surge

By Denice Flores • March 6, 2026
Recent data in 2026 shows a sharp increase in Requests for Evidence across employment-based visa categories such as EB-1, EB-2 NIW, O, and H-1B. Requests for Evidence (RFEs) are no longer reserved for borderline cases; even robust petitions for high-level talent are facing unprecedented scrutiny. The expansion of the USCIS Vetting Center means automated tools are cross-referencing every petition, triggering RFEs for even the smallest inconsistencies. For EB-2 NIW petitions, adjudicators are increasingly questioning the "National Importance" of a candidate’s endeavor. Even for those with impressive credentials, USCIS now demands evidence of how their work specifically benefits the U.S. on a prospective basis. For O-1A and O-1B visas, officers are applying narrower interpretations of "distinction" and "extraordinary ability," often mischaracterizing evidence already present in the record. Additionally, a troubling 2026 trend is the correlation between Premium Processing and RFEs . For discretionary categories like EB-1A and EB-2 NIW, Premium Processing has increasingly become a "fast track" to a poorly reasoned RFE. Reports indicate that adjudicators, pressured by 15-business-day timelines, may be relying on AI-assisted vetting tools that trigger automated RFEs with general and boilerplate language, rather than a thorough review and analysis of supporting documents and evidence filed. With USCIS employing more rigorous AI-driven vetting and a narrower interpretation of visa criteria, the margin for error has disappeared . As such, ensure you consult with an experienced immigration attorney before filing a petition. ' If you have any questions, please schedule a consultation with one of our experienced attorneys, and we will be more than happy to assist you.

Navigating the Surge in Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Terminations and Litigation: What You Need to Know

By Juliana LaMendola • February 19, 2026
In recent weeks, the U.S. government has moved to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for multiple countries, sparking a wave of last-minute litigation and creating significant uncertainty for beneficiaries. This shift is having a profound impact on those who rely on TPS for lawful presence and work authorization in the United States. Across the country, federal courts have intervened to pause or block scheduled TPS terminations for several countries, including Burma (Myanmar), Ethiopia, Haiti, South Sudan, and Syria. In response to these court orders, USCIS has updated its webpages to indicate that TPS status and related Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) are extended for these populations. However, USCIS is intentionally not providing specific new end dates for EAD validity while the litigation remains in flux. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has prominently noted that it "vehemently disagrees" with these court orders and is actively working with the Department of Justice on next steps. This legal landscape remains highly unpredictable and varies drastically depending on the country of origin. For example, on February 9, 2026, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals granted a stay allowing the government to proceed with the termination of TPS for Nicaragua, Honduras, and Nepal while the underlying legal challenges continue. Because of this ruling, the automatic extension of work authorization for these individuals has ended, and employers are now required to reverify the work authorization of affected employees, who must present alternative valid documentation to continue their employment. These rapid changes and the lack of clear end dates are causing complications beyond the workplace. Because driver's licenses often track the length of an individual's authorized stay, many DMVs are currently declining to issue or renew driver's licenses for impacted TPS populations. For employers, managing internal communications, avoiding onboarding errors, and navigating Form I-9 compliance has become increasingly complex. It is more important than ever to be well-prepared and proactive in monitoring these rapid changes. At Santos Lloyd Law Firm, P.C., our immigration attorneys are ready to guide you through this evolving process and ensure you are informed, and supported. Please contact us if you have questions or need assistance.
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