The number of O-1 visas granted in the United States has risen by 50 per cent between 2014 and 2024, driven largely by a surge in applications from social media influencers and content creators, according to recent reporting in the Financial Times.
The O-1 visa, established by the Immigration Act of 1990, was originally intended for figures such as Hollywood stars and world-renowned musicians. However, immigration attorneys report that the criteria are now being interpreted to include influencers, OnlyFans models and e-sports players.
Michael Wildes, an immigration attorney whose firm represented John Lennon and helped create the O-1B visa, said: "We started doing [O-1 visa applications] for kids who are e-sport players and influencers and the OnlyFans crew. It's the new, sexy medium for people to be a part of."
Applicants must meet at least three of six regulatory criteria, including national or international recognition, a record of commercial success, or performance in a distinguished production. Successful applicants have highlighted follower counts and monthly income from platforms such as Fanfix.
Julia Ain, a 25-year-old Canadian influencer with 1.3 million followers across platforms, obtained her O-1B visa after Fanfix sponsored her application. She said: "It became really obvious that you could make a lot of money doing this in a short period of time."
Luca Mornet, a French content creator who graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, applied for the O-1B visa after realising his student visa prevented him from earning as an influencer. He said he could finally monetise his content after receiving authorisation.
