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Nonimmigrant Visa Unit

O Visa (Aliens with Extraordinary Ability)

What is an O visa?

Individuals with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, and athletics, or extraordinary achievement in motion picture and television production, may qualify for an O-1 visa. To begin the application process, the applicant’s sponsor or future employer must file a Form I-129 (Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker) in the United States with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) of the Department of Homeland Security. If approved, the USCIS will mail the petitioner a Form I-797 (Notice of Action). The beneficiary may then apply for an O visa at the United States Embassy in Bogotá.

O-2 Visa (Assistant to an O-1)

The essential support personnel of an O-1 visa holder may qualify for an O-2 visa. The O-1 beneficiary must be traveling to the United States for an artistic or athletic performance only.

O-3 Visa (Spouse and Children of an O Visa Holder)

Spouses and children under the age of 21 can receive O-3 visas to travel with or follow-to-join the principal alien in the United States.

For a more complete explanation of these and other permissible O activities, please see 9 FAM 41.55.

How do I apply for an O visa?

Follow the below steps in order to apply for an O visa at the Embassy:

  1. Purchase a personal identification number. If you are in the United States, skip this step and go to step 2.
  2. Contact our Visa Information Center to schedule an appointment with the consular officer.
  3. Pay the nonrefundable visa application fee.
  4. Appear at the Nonimmigrant Visa Unit on the date/time of your visa interview appointment.

What documents are required in order to apply for an O visa?

Every O visa applicant must provide the following documents:

  • A valid passport with at least six months’ validity remaining. Note that we are unable to process visas for applicants whose passports contain any type of powder. Also, we cannot accept damaged passports.

  • A completed and signed Form DS-156 (Nonimmigrant Visa Application). You may obtain Form DS-156 at any authorized Banco Helm office, or you may download the form from our website. If you download it from our website, make sure to print both pages of the form on one letter-size (8.5 inches by 11 inches) sheet of paper, front and back. You must take the completed form to Banco Helm when you pay the nonrefundable visa application fee.


  • For applicants who are at least 14 years of age but under 80, a completed and signed form DS-157 (Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application). You may obtain form DS-157 at any authorized Banco Helm offices, or you may download the form from our website.


  • An original Form I-797 approved by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services of the Department of Homeland Security.

  • A photocopy of the approved Form I-129 (Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker).

  • A photograph. Glue the photograph to the front of the Form DS-156 in the photograph space.


  • A Colombian national identity card (cédula de identidad personal) for citizens of Colombia 18 years of age and older, a Colombia residency card for residents of Colombia 18 years of age and older, or an identification card for citizens and residents of Colombia under 18). If you just turned 18 and have not yet received your cedula or residency card, you must present the receipt issued by the Registraduría as well as the corresponding annotation on the passport.


What other documents may be required for O visa applicants?

Applicants for an O visa should be prepared to provide the following additional documents at the visa interview:

  • Evidence of the work that qualifies you for the visa (for example, newspaper articles, medals or badges from competitions or events, photos from events, books or articles published).

Important Note: As a result of strict security procedures, some applications may require longer processing times. The application process cannot be accelerated, so you should not make final travel plans or purchase nonrefundable tickets until/unless you receive your visa. Visa applicants should never assume that their application will be approved.