Photographer — O-1B Approved in 11 Days on Second Filing With a New Employer

Mr. Z. is a commercial photographer who held a three-year O-1B issued in 2017. As his initial petition approached expiration and he prepared to change employers, we filed a fresh O-1B petition.

We built the new petition around six categories of evidence: - a major international photography award (2018); - a collaborative photographic work shown at the Tate Modern in London (2017), in which the petitioner played a primary creative role; - coverage in well-known media establishing international recognition; - principal-role engagements at distinguished events, including commissioned work for over a dozen globally recognized brands; - two recommendation letters from recognized field experts attesting to his standing; - compensation evidence consistent with his level of distinction.

These were arranged into a layered argument that mapped each criterion against USCIS adjudication standards.

Filed January 16, 2020; approved January 27, 2020 — 11 days, no RFE.