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What was the average legal cost for filing for an O1? I think I could meet the criteria, but being in the US is only marginally useful for me.

I was under the impression O1 visas didn't require employment?

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I have been under a mixed impression on the O-1 for a long time myself. Nikki seems to indicate that hers at least was a work-sponsorship. However, though I don't have a similar anecdote to point to, I understand you can do a self-sponsorship O-1 that isn't tied to an employer.

More research is needed here.

Alex MacCaw [1] suggests that O1 requires sponsorship from a US company. My anecdotal and outdated experience matches his description.

[1] http://blog.sourcing.io/visa-guide

The O1 is employer-sponsored. You need a sponsor.

The filing fees will run up about 2k including expedited processing (which is usually worth it). You're gonna have to go through a quite thorough process of building up a detailed dossier making your case for the government to review. This can easily cost 5-10k, depending on your attorney and the complexity of your case.

You can be sponsored by an agent as well.

http://www.cjlore.com/blogs/charles-blog/o-1-visa-sponsor-ag...

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