Can OnlyFans creators get US ‘Genius Visa’? How O-1 Visa is opening up to online creators

As other visa routes like H-1B and F-1 become more restrictive, interest in the O-1 visa has risen sharply. (Representational Image)

US immigration authorities are broadening O-1 visa criteria to include online creators, accepting high follower counts and digital income as proof of “extraordinary talent.” O-1 visa applications have surged as other US work visas become more restrictive.

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Can an online creator qualify for the same US visa once reserved for award-winning artists and global celebrities? According to a report by the Financial Times, the answer is increasingly yes, as American immigration authorities quietly broaden how they interpret “extraordinary talent” under the O-1 visa system.

The O-1 visa is designed for individuals with extraordinary ability in fields such as arts, sciences, education, business, or athletics. Within this framework, the O 1B category applies to arts and entertainment. Traditionally, applicants relied on major awards, critical acclaim, or international recognition. Immigration lawyers now say that metrics tied to the digital economy are gaining weight.

High follower counts, viral reach, and steady online income are increasingly being accepted as evidence of commercial success. In the past, this success was measured through box office sales, record deals, or gallery exhibitions. As other visa routes like H-1B and F-1 become more restrictive, interest in the O-1 visa has risen sharply.

Who is applying now

Immigration attorney Michael Wildes told the Financial Times that his client profile has changed dramatically.

“In the past, I represented names like Boy George and Sinéad O’Connor. Now a growing number of clients are social media stars and OnlyFans creators,” he said.

Lawyers say influencers, streamers, and subscription-based creators are turning to the O-1B category as one of the few viable pathways left for working in the United States.

Can likes and earnings qualify as talent

For many petitions, commercial viability has become central. Fiona McEntee, founder of the McEntee Law Group, said income and audience engagement can now be framed as proof of distinction.

“If you think about how many people are on social media every day and how few actually make a living from it, it really is a skill,” she told the Financial Times.

Paid brand deals, subscription revenue, and appearances at high-profile events are increasingly presented as evidence comparable to starring roles or major performances.

How big the change is

Data cited by the Financial Times shows that O-1 visas, including O-1A and O-1B, increased by more than 50 percent between 2014 and 2024. Over the same period, total non-immigrant visas grew by only 10 percent.

Despite the rise, O-1 visas remain relatively rare. Fewer than 20,000 were issued in 2024, compared with much larger numbers for H-1B visas.

Broader immigration context

The trend comes amid sweeping changes under US President Donald Trump. These include tighter controls on student and work visas and the introduction of a one-time $100,000 fee for new H-1B petitions.

As traditional immigration routes narrow, the O-1 visa is emerging as an unlikely door for digital creators, signalling how US immigration policy is adapting to the realities of the online economy.