The O-1A visa (extraordinary ability in science, education, business, or athletics) is for an individual who has a level of expertise indicating that the person is one of the small percentage who have risen to the very top of the field of endeavor. Accordingly, Yale restricts O-1 visa sponsorship to full-time, salaried academic faculty appointments at the level of Associate Research Scientist or higher who have already demonstrated proven expertise sufficient to qualify for this classification. Trainee positions, including postdoctoral researchers, are not eligible for Yale’s O-1 sponsorship.
Eligibility further requires a minimum of three years of confirmed funding for the sponsored position. The O-1 visa is typically used for eligible academic appointment holders who lack other viable visa options for employment at Yale.
The Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS), in collaboration with Yale’s contracted external immigration counsel, oversees all O-1 sponsorship petitions. All sponsorship requests must be initiated by the hiring unit, which is responsible for all associated costs, including attorney fees. OISS determines whether the employee meets both USCIS O-1 eligibility requirements and Yale’s internal sponsorship guidelines. Both sets of criteria must be satisfied before sponsorship may be considered.
Note: Only Yale’s contracted immigration attorneys may prepare and submit O-1 petitions to USCIS, and OISS is the sole unit authorized to sign immigration petitions on Yale’s behalf. Employees and hiring units may not engage outside counsel or sign immigration-related documents for the University.
Request University Sponsorship
Before inquiring about O-1 sponsorship, please review your eligibility for O-1 extraordinary ability under USCIS criteria. If you believe you may be eligible, please send the following three files to Mihwa Lee.
- A completed Yale University Sponsorship Form
- CV
- Research Statement in the format as specified on the website
Review of the Application Materials
Once eligibility is confirmed, OISS will connect the department and employee with external immigration counsel to begin the process.
