Intro. Your O-1 case is only as strong as the evidence behind it. The O-1A standard asks you to satisfy at least 3 of 8 criteria, and the more of them you document well, the stronger your case. This article lists all eight criteria, the evidence that proves each, and how to upload it so Dr. O-1 can generate the sharpest possible petition. Upload is free — build your entire package before paying anything.
Upload your CV first
Before anything else, upload your CV or résumé. It's the master map of your career: Dr. O-1 uses it to spot which criteria you already meet and which are worth building out. Everything else you upload gets tied back to it.
The 8 O-1A criteria and the evidence that proves each
# | Criterion | Evidence to upload |
1 | Nationally/internationally recognized awards | Award certificates, prize letters, selection announcements, proof of the award's prestige and selectivity |
2 | Membership in exclusive associations | Fellowship/membership letters, the association's bylaws showing outstanding achievement is required for entry |
3 | Published material about you | Full articles featuring you (not just quoting you), plus the outlet's circulation/audience data |
4 | Judging others' work | Peer-review invitations and confirmations, grant-panel service, award-committee or competition-judging records |
5 | Original contributions of major significance | Citation reports, patents (ideally licensed/commercialized), evidence others adopted your method, expert letters on field-wide impact |
6 | Authorship of scholarly articles | Your published papers, conference proceedings, or authoritative trade-publication articles, with venue details |
7 | Critical role at a distinguished organization | Org-chart/role letters showing your role was critical, plus proof the organization has a distinguished reputation |
8 | High salary or remuneration | Pay stubs, offer letters, equity documentation, and comparative wage data for your role and location |
You only need three, but documenting four or five gives you a cushion if an officer disputes one — and builds a stronger overall picture of extraordinary ability.
For O-1B (Arts) and MPTV
If you're an artist or in film/TV, upload the parallel evidence for your field: leading/starring-role documentation, critical reviews, box-office or streaming numbers, recognition from organizations and critics, commercial success, and testimonials from experts. Dr. O-1 maps these to the arts or MPTV framework rather than the O-1A criteria.
Don't forget the two required pieces
Beyond the criteria evidence, every O-1 also needs a petitioner or agent and a written advisory opinion. Upload your advisory opinion when you have it; Dr. O-1 slots it into the package and tells you what it must address.
How to upload
Formats: PDFs, images (JPG/PNG), and links.
Foreign-language documents: upload them as-is — the built-in translation tool produces English versions during the polish phase.
Add anytime: upload more evidence whenever you find it; Dr. O-1 re-reads and re-maps your case.
Citation reports: export your Google Scholar or Web of Science profile so the citation analysis tool can separate independent citations and benchmark them.
FAQ
How many criteria do I actually need? Three of eight for O-1A — but four to five makes a materially stronger case.
What if a document is in another language? Upload it anyway; translate it during the polish phase.
Does uploading cost anything? No. Uploading, generating, and polishing are all free — you pay $949 only at download.
Can Dr. O-1 tell me which criteria I'm missing? Yes — after reading your evidence it shows which criteria you meet and where you're thin.
Disclaimer: Quickfiling LLC is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Dr. O-1 is a document-preparation and self-help tool. For legal advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed immigration attorney.
Related: Complete Guide: Filing Your O-1 Petition with Dr. O-1 · Dr. O-1 FAQ · From O-1 to Your Green Card (EB-1A / NIW)
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