O-1 Visa Stamping: Your Complete Guide to Traveling Abroad and Returning to the U.S.

Your O-1 petition has been approved. Congratulations! But there’s one more step in the process that’s important to understand: O-1 visa stamping. 

O-1 visa stamping is the process of getting your visa stamped at a U.S. Consulate or Embassy abroad. It’s required if you want to enter the U.S. under a new O-1 status or re-enter after traveling abroad. 

While an approved form I-797 may give you legal status to work in the U.S. (if the petitioner requested a change or extension of status from USCIS and a new I-94 is attached to the form), it isn’t considered a travel document. In order to travel freely, you need a visa stamp.

At Manifest Law, our lawyers have helped thousands of  O-1 visa applicants, with over 25,000 successful cases and a 97% approval rate. While some corporate clients prefer we only handle USCIS approvals, we also provide full support for foreign workers through the O-1 visa stamping process when needed.

Do I Need O-1 Visa Stamping?

Whether you need O-1 visa stamping depends on your specific situation:

You DO NEED visa stamping if:

• You’re currently outside the U.S. and want to enter with your new O-1 status
• You’re currently in the U.S. but plan to travel abroad and return
• Your previous O-1 visa stamp has or will soon expire

You DON’T NEED visa stamping if:

• You’re already in the U.S. in O-1 status and don’t plan to travel internationally
• You have a valid, unexpired O-1 visa stamp

As mentioned, you don’t need an O-1 visa stamp if you have no plans to travel internationally. But plans change, so if you think there’s even a slight chance you’ll need to leave the country, the safest bet is to get your visa stamped. 

It’s also important to keep timing in mind. Appointment availability and U.S. visa processing times can vary by location (for example, visa stamping in India won’t be the same as visa stamping in the U.K.), and if you don’t get your stamp in time, it will hinder your ability to re-enter the country.

O-3 Visa Stamping for Dependents

If you have eligible dependents accompanying you to the U.S. (such as your spouse and/or unmarried children under the age of 21) under O-3 visa status, they’ll need visa stamping as well. 

The O-3 stamping process typically happens right alongside your O-1 stamping, but it does require separate supporting documents that prove the eligible relationship status. Dependents may also apply for their visa stamps at a later time without the O-1 visa holder.

Can You Get O-1 Visa Stamping Within the U.S.?

Currently, domestic visa stamping is not available for O-1 visa holders. While there have been domestic stamping programs for other visa categories in the past (like H-1B visa stamping), there’s no such program for O-1 visas.

That means if you need visa stamping, you’ll have to travel to a U.S. Embassy or consulate outside the United States to go through the process.

O-1 Visa Stamping, Step-by-Step

If your O-1 visa petition has been approved, here’s what you need to do in order to get your visa stamped into your passport, step-by-step. 

Step 1: Decide Where to Travel

Traveling with an O-1 visa requires visa stamping. If you’re currently in the United States, you must physically leave the U.S. to complete the visa stamping process. Plan for at least 1-2 weeks abroad, though it could be longer depending on processing times and potential administrative delays.

When it comes to where to travel for the O-1 visa stamping process, you have a few different options, including:

• Your home country
• Your last country of residence (if outside the U.S.)
• Traveling to Mexico or Canada (known as “Third Country Visa Processing”)

Where you get your visa stamped is up to you. However, if you opt to go the “Third Country” route (and get your visa stamped in a country that’s not your home country/last country of residence), make sure to do your research, as requirements and eligibility for “third-country nationals” may vary by location.

In addition, you can only attend an interview at a third country where you can legally enter, e.g., if you do not have a visa to enter Canada and people with your citizenship are not offered visa free travel to Canada, you cannot get to an interview at a U.S. consulate located in Canada.

Step 2. Budget for Visa Stamping Fees

In addition to the cost of applying for and obtaining an O-1 visa, visa holders will also have to pay a U.S. visa application processing fee (also known as a Machine Readable Visa, or MRV fee). This fee varies by visa type; for O-1 visas, the current fee is $205. It’s important to note that this fee is non-refundable, even if the application is denied.

Step 3: Fill Out Form DS-160

Before you can schedule your visa interview, you’ll need to complete the Department of State’s DS-160 form, the standard online application for nonimmigrant status visas.

The form takes about 90 minutes to complete. Once you’ve finished, make sure to print and save the confirmation page, as you’ll need it for your interview.

Step 4: Determine Your Timeline and Schedule Your Interview

The processing time for O-1 visa stamping varies significantly by location. Depending on appointment availability, processing times, and demand, the process can take anywhere from several weeks to several months. To get a sense of visa wait times, visit the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs’ Global Visa Wait Times site. 

Once you’re on the site, enter your desired city into the field on the left side of the screen or scroll down the table until you find the city. Refer to the fourth column from the left, “Interview Required Petition-Based (H,L,O,P,Q) Next available appointment” for wait times

You can also sort results by appointment wait time. Just click the down arrow in the “Interview Required Petition-Based (H,L,O,P,Q) Next available appointment” column. From there, you can see which locations currently have the shortest wait times.

Step 5: Gather Required Documents

The documents required for O-1 visa stamping include:

• Valid passport (with an expiration date at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the U.S.)
• Passport-style photo
• Form I-797 approval notice (also known as O-1 approval notice) from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
• DS-160 confirmation page
• Visa application fee receipt
• Copy of O-1 case filing
• Appointment confirmation 
• Current employment verification letter
• Recent pay stubs (if you’re already working in the U.S. and applying for renewal/O-1 extension)
• Dependent documentation for O-3 visas (for example, marriage and/or birth certificates)
• Evidence of your extraordinary ability (the documentation used in the original petition)
• Proof of ongoing employment or contract
• Previous O-1 visa stamps (if applicable)

Step 6: Attend Your Interview

Most O-1 applicants must attend an in-person interview with a consular officer. The interview typically focuses on:

• Your work in the U.S.
• Your background/work contributions
• Your employer and job duties
• Your plans for future travel
• Document verification

Since you’re applying for an O-1 visa, you’ll also be asked questions about your extraordinary ability/extraordinary achievement, so be prepared to talk about your work, background, and accomplishments clearly and in a way that showcases your talent and contributions. An immigration attorney can help you prepare for this important step.

Consular officers may waive the in-person interview requirements for applicants who previously held a visa in the same category that expired less than 12 months prior to the new application. To qualify for an interview waiver, applicants must also meet the following criteria:

• Apply in their country of nationality or residence
• Have never been refused a visa (unless such refusal was overcome or waived)
• Have no apparent or potential ineligibility

Navigate the O-1 Visa Process with Confidence

There’s a lot that goes into the O-1 visa process, which is why you’ll want to get support every step of the way. That’s where Manifest Law comes in.

If you haven’t yet filed your O-1 petition, now is the perfect time to work with experienced O-1 visa lawyers who understand and can walk you through the entire process from start to finish. Contact Manifest Law today to schedule a consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions About O-1 Visa Stamping

Can you travel outside the US when you have an O-1 visa?

Yes, you can travel outside the U.S. with an O-1 visa, but you’ll need a valid visa stamp in your passport to re-enter the country. If all you have is an I-797 approval notice without a stamped visa, you won’t be able to return to the U.S. after international travel.

How far in advance should I apply for visa stamping?

Apply as early as possible, especially during peak travel seasons. Some consulates have visa stamping wait times of several months for appointments. We recommend starting the process at least 2-3 months before you need to travel.

Can I expedite the O-1 visa stamping process?

Many consulates offer expedited appointments for emergency situations (for example, medical emergencies), but availability is limited, and the approval criteria are strict. Expediting the process may also require additional documentation and/or additional fees.