u/Jagadeesh8

Hey everyone,

I’m currently on an F-1 visa (working in AI/ML), and I’m starting to seriously explore the O-1 (extraordinary ability) path instead of relying only on H-1B. I wanted to get some real-world insights from people who’ve actually gone through this or are preparing for it.

A few questions I’m trying to figure out:

1. How do you self-evaluate where you stand for O-1?
   • Is there any structured way to map your profile against the criteria (publications, awards, judging, critical role, etc.)?
   • At what point did you feel “okay, I’m ready to apply”?
2. Are there any good firms that offer free profile evaluations?
   • Ideally ones that don’t just push you to file immediately
   • But actually tell you what’s missing and how to improve
3. Has anyone worked with firms that also help with building your profile (publications, speaking, media, etc.)?
   • Worth it or not?
   • Any that are legit vs. just marketing hype?
4. For people in tech/AI:
   • What helped you the most? (GitHub, research papers, conferences, startup work, etc.)

I’m trying to be strategic and not wait until the last minute on OPT. Any advice, experiences, or even mistakes to avoid would really help.

Thanks in advance 🙏