¡O-1 ha sido aprobado! ¿Ahora qué sigue? guía para obtener la residencia permanente (Green Card) con EB-1A
Shirin Navabi • March 13, 2025
Click here to read this article in English
Si ha recibido recientemente la emocionante noticia de que su visado O-1 ha sido aprobado, ¡enhorabuena! El visado O-1 es un visado prestigioso que sólo se concede a personas que puedan demostrar una capacidad extraordinaria en su campo, ya sea O-1A: personas con una capacidad extraordinaria en ciencias, educación, negocios o atletismo, u O-1B: personas con una capacidad extraordinaria en artes o logros extraordinarios en la industria cinematográfica o televisiva. Conseguir la aprobación de una visa O-1 no es poca cosa, y es una verdadera validación de su talento y trabajo duro.
Pero para muchos titulares de visados O-1, esa aprobación plantea la siguiente gran pregunta: ¿cuál es el camino para conseguir la residencia permanente? Para quienes desean permanecer en Estados Unidos de forma permanente, el visado EB-1A suele ser el siguiente paso natural. También se conoce como residencia permanente para personas con capacidades extraordinarias, lo que lo convierte en un primo cercano del visado O-1.
La obtención de la residencia permanente en Estados Unidos a través del EB-1A implica dos pasos: 1) conseguir la aprobación de la petición de inmigración EB-1A (formulario 1-40) y 2) ajustar el estatus al de residente permanente o solicitar la tramitación consular.
Sin embargo, aunque estas dos categorías comparten similitudes, no son idénticas. El estándar EB-1A es significativamente más alto, y muchos titulares de O-1 subestiman cuántas más pruebas necesitan presentar para calificar para la residencia permanente. La buena noticia es que, si usted es proactivo y estratégico en la construcción de su caso, puede mejorar significativamente sus posibilidades de éxito.
Entendiendo la diferencia entre O-1 y EB-1A
Tanto el visado O-1 como el EB-1A se centran en personas con aptitudes extraordinarias, pero tienen finalidades diferentes. El O-1 es un visado de trabajo temporal que le permite venir a Estados Unidos para trabajar en proyectos específicos o para un empleador concreto. Requiere que un patrocinador estadounidense presente la petición en su nombre.
El EB-1A, por el contrario, es un visado de inmigrante: es el primer paso hacia la obtención de la residencia permanente. Dado que el EB-1A conduce a la residencia permanente, sus requisitos son aún más estrictos. No sólo debe demostrar una capacidad extraordinaria, sino también que su reconocimiento se mantiene a lo largo del tiempo y que su trabajo ha tenido un impacto duradero en su campo.
¿Qué puede reutilizar de su caso O-1?
Si su petición O-1 es sólida, algunas de las pruebas que presentó seguirán siendo valiosas para la EB-1A. Esto incluye sus premios, cobertura mediática, cartas de expertos y pruebas de pertenencia a organizaciones prestigiosas. Pero el EB-1A exige más: tiene que ir más allá de mostrar lo que ha logrado y demostrar que su influencia es continua, impactante y reconocida a nivel nacional o internacional.
Cómo fortalecer su caso mientras está en O-1
Una de las medidas más inteligentes que puede tomar es aprovechar el tiempo que tenga el visado O-1 para reforzar activamente su perfil EB-1A. Esto significa buscar oportunidades para que su trabajo aparezca en medios de comunicación de primer nivel, publicar más contribuciones originales, ser jurado en concursos y asumir funciones de liderazgo en su comunidad profesional. Cada acción que emprenda para aumentar su visibilidad e influencia.
Reflexiones finales - El camino del O-1 al EB-1A es factible
Es posible que no pueda presentar su EB-1A hoy, pero podemos ayudarle a construir su caso paso a paso. Ya sea que necesite orientación sobre el fortalecimiento de su perfil, la identificación de las pruebas adecuadas, o la preparación de un plan estratégico de presentación, nuestro equipo está aquí para apoyarle.
Si usted está actualmente en una visa O-1 y cree que puede ser elegible para una visa EB-1A en el futuro, le animamos a ponerse en contacto con nuestra oficina. Nuestros abogados experimentados han ayudado a innumerables personas a navegar con éxito este camino, y estaremos encantados de revisar su caso y crear guia personalizada para su viaje de residencia permanente.
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.
It’s no secret that the U.S. immigration system has faced increased scrutiny and change in recent months. From evolving policies to headlines filled with uncertainty, it’s understandable that many individuals are left wondering: Is this still the right time to pursue a future in the United States? The answer is yes—and here’s why. Despite the shifting political landscape, the core structure of U.S. immigration law remains firmly in place. While the process may appear more complex or demanding than it once was, the legal pathways to live, work, and thrive in the United States are still open and accessible to those who take the proper steps. What often gets lost in the conversation is that the United States remains a country built on innovation, creativity, and resilience. It continues to attract global talent, entrepreneurs, artists, and professionals from all walks of life. Whether you are launching a business, advancing your career, or seeking a better life for your family, the United States offers unparalleled opportunities to those who are prepared and determined. Much of what makes the United States a global economic and technological leader today is the direct result of contributions made by immigrants. Nearly half of the current Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants or their children. Immigrant entrepreneurs have long been an essential part of America’s economic success story. Some of the largest and most recognizable American companies were founded by immigrants or the children of immigrants. This includes household names such as Apple and Costco. Moderna, the pharmaceutical company and vaccine producer, was founded by a Canadian-born stem cell biologist, Derrick J. Rossi, whose parents themselves emigrated from Malta. These success stories are not outliers; they are part of a broader pattern that reflects the drive, innovation, and resilience that immigrants bring to the country. The United States also offers one of the most dynamic and diverse economies in the world. It is a place where hard work, fresh ideas, and entrepreneurial vision are rewarded. For creative professionals, business leaders, and investors, the United States provides a unique platform to grow, connect, and gain global influence. Its competitive marketplace, access to capital, and culture of innovation create unmatched opportunities for those ready to seize them. While the immigration process requires careful planning, that process is far from impossible. Indeed, having strong legal guidance is one of the most effective advantages an applicant can possess. Immigration law is complex, and each case must be evaluated individually. A clear, strategic plan tailored to your background and goals can significantly improve your chances of success. What may feel like a hurdle at first glance is often navigable with solid preparation and documentation. At our immigration law firm, we have had the privilege of assisting individuals from all over the world as they navigate these complexities. Time and again, we have witnessed how determination, careful preparation, and experienced legal counsel can turn uncertainty into opportunity and help transform a vision for the future into reality. If you have been uncertain about whether to move forward, let this be your sign to take the next step. The United States is still a land of possibilities. If you are ready to take that step, now is the time to act. Let us build your path forward together.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nationals from Honduras, Nicaragua, Nepal, Haiti, and Cameroon. These longstanding protections are set to expire, putting many individuals at risk of deportation.
For individuals applying under the O-1A or EB-1A categories , both reserved for professionals with extraordinary ability, letters of recommendation are a critical part of the petition. These expert testimonial letters offer valuable insight into your accomplishments, reputation, and influence within your field. When written properly, they help demonstrate that you truly stand out as someone who has risen to the very top of your profession. Many petitions submitted by highly accomplished individuals fall short because the recommendation letters are vague, overly personal, or fail to clearly explain why the applicant meets the legal standard of extraordinary ability. That is why taking the time to prepare your recommenders effectively is not just helpful. It is essential to build a strong and persuasive case. First, it is important to help your recommenders understand the purpose of the letter . This is not a casual reference or character recommendation. It is a formal declaration to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services that you possess extraordinary ability in your area of expertise. The letter must describe your achievements in concrete terms and explain why your work has had a significant impact and recognition within your field. Many professionals, no matter how accomplished, are unfamiliar with the specific requirements of the O-1A and EB-1A categories. It is helpful to provide them with a short explanation of what is needed, and in some cases, a sample or outline to guide them. Selecting the right recommenders is just as critical as the content of the letters themselves. While USCIS gives greater weight to letters from independent experts, independence should not be confused with distance. The ideal recommender is someone who knows your work well and can provide specific and credible insight into your contributions, impact, and reputation in the field. A letter from someone who barely knows you, or one that focuses more on the recommender’s own accomplishments than yours, is unlikely to carry much weight with USCIS. A common mistake is submitting letters that read more like summaries of the recommender’s resume than a meaningful evaluation of your achievements. While a brief introduction of the recommender’s qualifications is important to establish credibility, the focus must remain squarely on you , your work, your innovation, and the ways in which your impact is considered extraordinary. The strongest letters go beyond general praise. They include clear and detailed examples of how your contributions have influenced others in your field or led to measurable outcomes. To make the letter as accurate and persuasive as possible, you should provide your recommenders with a summary of your most important professional milestones. This might include major awards, media coverage, patents, publications, notable leadership roles, or metrics showing the commercial or scientific success of your work. Well-prepared recommendation letters serve as both evidence and narrative. They help fulfill specific legal requirements and also tell the story of how and why your work has earned you distinction. In a category defined by terms like extraordinary ability, it is important that every part of your petition reinforces that standard. At Santos Lloyd Law Firm, we work closely with our clients and their recommenders to develop strong and compelling testimonial letters that meet USCIS expectations and highlight each applicant’s unique contributions.
