To begin the O-1 petition process: review the checklist, complete the appropriate forms, and provide the necessary documents to the International Postdoctoral Office at:

Medical College of Georgia

International & Postdoctoral Services (IPSO)

1120 15th Street, CJ 2211

Augusta, GA  30912

Please be aware that every case varies and different document may be required for each individual petition.

1) From the Hiring Department

An H-1B Application consists of the following documents, submitted from both the Hiring Department and the H-1B applicant. 

□  Completed O-1 Request Form from: Department Chair, Institute or Center Director mailed or faxed to IPSO office

□  Copy of job-offer letter for new hires.

□  Two separate checks payable to Department of Homeland Security-- one check for Filing Fees of $320.00 and one

           to pay the $500 Fraud Prevention and Detection Fee: USCIS, 75 Welden Street, St. Albans, VT 05794

When submitting requests, managers should send the following with the check request or expense justification form: "The $320.00 is the USCIS filing fee associated with the application to petition for an O-1 visa (Form I-129) on behalf of MCG for (name of employee.)  Please click here for the Filing Fees section of USCIS."

□  A support letter from the Department Chair, Institute of Center Director addressed to:

    U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Vermont Service Center, 75 Welden Street, St. Albans, VT 05794

An outline of this letter will be provided by IPSO following an initial meeting with the applicant/employee, section chief/supervisor and department manager.  Please call 1-0670 to schedule this appointment.

2) From the Applicant/Employee

All Applicants must provide the following

□  Completed O-1 Applicant Form  (PDF form)
□  Documentation in the following form to prove extraordinary ability in the sciences (Receipt of a major, internationally-recognized

      award, such as the Nobel Prize OR at least three (3) of the following forms of documentation):

-Receipt of lesser of nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence in the field of endeavor. (Including copies of awards.)

-Membership in associations in the field which require outstanding achievements of their members as judged by recognized national or international experts in the discipline or fields. (Including copies of memberships)

-Published material in professional or major trade publications or major media about the alien concerning the alien’s work in the field (include the title, date, and author of such published material, and any necessary translation) (Including copies of articles.

-Participation on a panel, or individually, as a judge of the work of others in the field.  (Including copies of documents verifying participation.)

-Letters and affidavits from prominent colleagues who can confirm applicant’s scientific, scholarly, or business-related contributions of major significance in the field.  (Including copies of CVs of all letter authors.)

-Authorship of scholarly articles in the field in professional journals or other major media.  (Including copies of articles.)

-Employment in a critical or essential capacity for organizations and establishments that have a distinguished reputation.

□  Consultative Opinion – An opinion must be obtained from an appropriate peer group, labor organization, or management

      organization in the area of the applicant’s ability.  If no such organization exists, a letter stating this must be submitted.  (Note:   

      IPSO will provide further information on the appropriate format for this documentation following an initial meeting between the

      applicant/employee, section chief/supervisor and department manager.   Please call 1-0670 to schedule this appointment.)

□  Copy of Passport

□  A copy of academic degrees and transcripts (Note: Foreign degrees, credentials and transcripts must be translated and due

      to increased USCIS scrutiny, all international degrees must be evaluated by an American credential evaluation company. 

      Companies that provide this service are www.wes.org, www.jsilny.com, www.fcsa.biz.)

□  A current resume or curriculum vita

□  A copy of Social Security Card, if applicable

Applicants currently in the United States must also attach the following documents:  

□  Copy of current 1-94 (front and back)

□  Copy of current 1-20; IAP-66 & Waiver 212 (e); EAD,etc (your appropriate work permission document)

□  O-1 Applicant Form (dependent's section, if applicable)

Applicants Extending Prior O-1 must also attach the following documents:

□  Copy of current I-94 (front and back).

□  Copies of all prior O-1 approval notices (Form I-797)

□  O-1 Applicant Form  (dependent's section, if applicable)

3) From the Dependent(s) of Applicant

□  O-1 Applicant Form (PDF Form)

□  Social Security Card (if applicable)

□  Copy of Passport (must be current through the period of stay requested for the O-3 visa holders)

□  Copy of I-94 (front and back)