Keep Copies of All Correspondence
The petitioner applying for an
O-1 visa will file a Form I-129,
Petitioner for Nonimmigrant Worker, with the USCIS. To avoid delays in processing, the immigration service
advises filing at least 45 days before the employment start but not more
than 1 year before. Part of the application requires certain documentation
including the agreed terms between the parties in the form of a contract.
A written contract that clearly lays out the agreements, signed and dated
by both parties is preferred.
In the modern age where individuals communicate via email or other means
during negotiations, and for practical reasons, the government will accept
an oral contract as long as it contains what the employer offered and
what the employee accepted.
Keep copies of all of your emails, or other forms of correspondence used
to back up the agreement if necessary. Ideally, provide a written summary
of the agreed upon terms.
Will the USCIS Accept Your Contract?
Naturally, you want to have the visa approval process go as smoothly as
possible. Time is of the essence when there are tight schedules to meet
in big projects or events. It is important that the contract meet the
strict standards of the USCIS.