O-1A · Extraordinary Ability
Landfall helps founders and top builders win the O-1A — the U.S. visa for people at the top of their field. Start with a free 2-minute assessment that scores you against all 8 USCIS criteria.
Why founders qualify
USCIS built the O-1A around eight criteria of "extraordinary ability." Most of what a founder does day to day maps naturally onto them.
Getting into a selective accelerator or closing a competitive round isn't just a business milestone — it's evidence. Admission that only a small share of applicants earn can function like a prize under USCIS's awards criterion.
Coverage of you and what you've built, plus a product, patent, or open-source project that others actually use, is exactly the kind of documented impact these criteria ask for.
Sitting on a hackathon panel, reviewing grant applications, or advising other founders shows the field already trusts your judgment — which is the criterion in a sentence.
How it works
Answer a few questions and get scored against all 8 USCIS criteria in about two minutes.
Talk through your case with a Landfall advisor and leave with a real, specific plan.
Evidence packaging, expert and recommendation letters, and the I-129 petition — RFE responses included.
Once your O-1A is approved, we build your EB-1A green card case on the same evidence.
The 8 criteria
Each criterion, translated into what it usually looks like for a founder or builder.
Industry awards, competitive fellowships, or a selective list — including acceptance into a top-tier accelerator.
Belonging to an association or fellowship that admits members based on outstanding achievement, not payment.
Profiles, interviews, or features about you by name — not just coverage of your company.
Serving as a judge for hackathons, pitch competitions, accelerator cohorts, or grant panels.
A patent, a widely-used product or open-source project, or a method that others have adopted.
Articles, papers, or technical thought-leadership published in recognized outlets.
A leading or essential role — often founder, or an early, pivotal hire — at a venture-backed or well-regarded organization.
Compensation, including equity, or funding raised, that's high relative to others in your field.
You need to satisfy 3 of the 8. Most founders are closer than they think.
Pricing
Your exact quote comes on the strategy call, once we understand your case.
Free assessment
Two minutes. No account, no credit card — just an honest read on your case.