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O-1 Alien of Extraordinary Ability 

The O-1 visa classification is intended for individuals who have extraordinary ability in the sciences, education, or business and who are coming temporarily to the United States to engage in employment. An O-1 is one of a handful of individuals who have risen to the top of their profession or field of endeavor. Pursuant to institutional guidelines and policies, Johns Hopkins University (JHU) limits O-1 sponsorship to faculty positions. To inquire about eligibility for O-1 sponsorship, please contact the OIS at [email protected].

The Office of International Services does not prepare O-1 petitions but coordinates the O-1 sponsorship process with the O-1 applicant, JHU’s designated outside counsel, and the hiring department. OIS is the only office with the authority to facilitate the filing of an O-1 petition with the JHU’s designated outside immigration counsel, or sign Form I-129 in support of an O-1 petition. As JHU will be the petitioner in such cases, it is not at the discretion of the foreign national or the sponsoring Department to select an attorney to represent JHU. These cases may only be handled by the JHU’s outside immigration counsel following a written referral from the OIS.

O-1 sponsorship incurs both legal and filing fees. These fees are not a mandated employer business expense and may be borne by either the O-1 applicant or the sponsoring department. The responsible party for all costs must be determined before the OIS will forward a case to outside immigration counsel.

Maintenance of O-1 Status

O-1 status is employer and employment specific, any contemplated change in the terms of employment must be discussed with OIS before such changes occur. In many cases, such changes require an amended O-1 petition. Individuals who are granted O-1 status pursuant to an O-1 petition sponsored by JHU will be provided detailed guidance on maintenance of O-1 status by outside counsel. In addition to this detailed guidance, OIS reminds O-1 employees to remember the following:

Be Familiar with your Immigration Documents
  1. Maintain a valid passport
    Your passport must be valid for at least 6-months into the future unless exempt by country-specific agreements. Contact your country’s embassy in the U.S. for information about renewing or extending your passport while in the U.S.
  2. Carry documentation verifying O-1 status
    • Regulations require that you carry your I-94 at all times
      • Review your I-94 record each time you re-enter the U.S., ensuring it reflects the correct class of admission (“O-1”) and admit-until date (“the correct amount of time”). Retrieve your electronic I-94 here, print a copy, and carry it with your immigration documents, as required by immigration law. If your I-94 contains incorrect information, email to [email protected] for guidance on correcting it
    • It may be advisable to carry a copy of form I-797: Form I-797/ O-1 Approval Notice: This document shows that you are the beneficiary of an approved I-129 (O-1 petition) and you are authorized to work for the sponsor of the O-1 (JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY) in the capacity described in the petition for the time period indicated on the I-797. Keep the original I-797 in a safe location
    • It may also be advisable to carry a valid government-issued ID to further establish your identity
Change of Address

USCIS requires that you report an address change within 10 days of the move. To report an address change you must:

  1. Submit Form AR-11 to USCIS. AR-11, Change of Address Form
  2. Email [email protected] with your full name, date of birth, JHED, and new addres
  3. You also must update your address on file with JHU. JHU employees can update their address at My JHU: https://my.jh.edu/myJH/

Travel outside the U.S.

JHU’s outside immigration counsel provides guidance about travel in O-1 status. Please review that information and OIS O-1 Travel Information.   

Termination of O-1 Employment by JHU/Resignation of O-2 Employee

If your employment at Johns Hopkins University is ending, please contact OIS to discuss your O-1 status. When your employment ends, your O-1 status ends. There is no guaranteed “grace period” for O-1 status, so it is important that you take steps to secure an alternate status or depart the U.S. in a timely manner. You also must notify the OIS via the Notification of Departure Form.