Content creators and influencers in the US have apparently discovered the once elusive *O-1 work visa,* leading to a staggering 50% increase in approvals between 2014 and 2024. It seems the key to success isn’t just viral dances but also some properly filed paperwork, as reported by the *Financial Times,* the go-to source for all things uplifting in our chaotic world.
These magical O-1 visas allow non-immigrants to work temporarily in the US—a convenient loophole, especially for those skilled in the fine art of *taking selfies.* The O-1 category boasts two flavors: O-1A, which is for the nerdy overachievers in sciences and business, and O-1B, reserved for the fabulous; you know, folks who’ve achieved “extraordinary ability” in their latest Instagram post.
The *Guardian* decided it was time to chat with some influencers who either struck gold with their O-1 visa applications or are valiantly trying. As Michael Wildes, an immigration attorney, wisely noted, “Influencers are filling a gap in the world’s retail and commercial interests.” In layman’s terms, think of influencers as the shiny ducktape that can hold a business landscape together, even if it cringes.
Enter Julia Ain—a bored McGill University student during the pandemic, who took to TikTok in search of entertainment and ended up with 1.3 million fans. “I thought I’d just go with the flow and film myself being the funny Jewish girl with big boobs,” she mused, as if that explanation settled everything. With the O-1B Visa in her pocket and a thriving income from a subscription-based platform called *Fanfix,* Ain is now officially a very well-paid entertainer. Who knew boredom could be so lucrative?
Then there’s Luca Mornet, from France, who also found himself creating content during his college years. Poor guy was stuck in an F-1 visa limbo, grinding his teeth as his influencer friends mingled with brands. “I can’t make money because I’m a student,” he lamented. People often underestimate the trauma of being left out of brand collaborations. Thankfully for him, he applied for the O-1B Visa soon after graduating, finally able to cash in on his 12-month work permit. *Freedom never tasted so sweet,* right?
Michael Wildes, our immigration guru, has expanded his clientele to include e-sport players and influencers from platforms like *OnlyFans*. “It’s the new sexy medium,” he declared, perhaps thinking about a future where IRL mingling is replaced by OnlyFans parties—because who needs in-person connections anyway? Wildes’ family legacy in immigration law started with John Lennon, now transformed into a star-studded lineup of social media sensations. What a sequence of events!
To secure an O-1B visa, you need to tick off at least three regulatory boxes—like a game of bureaucratic bingo. Evidence of achievements and recognition should be submitted; Ain laid out her impressive follower counts as proof that she’s not just a flash in the pan. “I have followers here, there, and everywhere,” she declared, as if sharing her digital real estate portfolio.
New-age celebrities like Dina Belenkaya, a Russian Israeli chess player, also joined the ranks of visa applicants. With a few hundred thousand followers across various platforms, she made it to the US with her O-1B visa in hand. “I’m moving to chess capital Charlotte, North Carolina!” she announced. Clearly, the American Dream has evolved; it now comes equipped with hashtags and likes. Meanwhile, Boy Throb, an aspiring band reaching for TikTok fame, capitalized on their viral antics in hopes of bringing one of their members from India to the US. After a month of fooling around in matching pink jumpsuits, they hit a million followers—whether or not it will help with the visa remains a question best left unanswered.
Opinions on this visa trend vary widely. While some analysts lament the state of the empire, others, including Wildes, herald the rise of influencers as America’s new market heroes. As Ain aptly put it, “You may not like what people are watching, but they’re still watching, and they’re paying for it.” Perhaps next time someone mentions the *American Dream,* it’s time to redefine it—a TikTok video at a time.
