7 months ago
OnlyFans models dominate US O-1B visas
OnlyFans models and influencers are getting a lot of O-1B visas in the US.
These visas are for people with special talents.
The US government looks at how many followers and views these influencers have to decide if they qualify.
This is changing how the US gives out visas to artists.
Some lawyers think this might make it harder for traditional artists who don't have as many followers.
The number of these visas has gone up a lot in the last ten years.
OnlyFans models and influencers are the top recipients of O-1B visas in the US.
O-1B visas are for creatives with exceptional ability, quantified by metrics like likes and views.
The number of O-1 visa issuances has increased by over 50% from 2014 to 2024.
Immigration attorneys note that follower counts and earnings help prove commercial success.
Some lawyers express concern that this shift could disadvantage traditional artists.
- Who
- OnlyFans models and influencers
- What
- Dominating O-1B visa approvals in the US
- Where
- United States
- When
- Between 2014 to 2024
- Why
- Easy metrics like likes, subscribers, and views help quantify impact
Key facts
- O-1B Visa
- For creatives with exceptional ability
- O-1A Visa
- For remarkable abilities in science, education, business, or athletics
- Visa Increase
- O-1 visa issuances up 50% from 2014 to 2024
- Non-Immigrant Visas
- Total issuances up 10% in the same period
- O-1 Share
- Less than 20,000 in 2024
- Key Metrics
- Likes, subscribers, views, streaming data
- Legal Precedent
- Leon Wildes defended John Lennon and Yoko Ono in 1972
- Immigration Act
- Codified O-1B visa in 1990
Quotes
Michael Wildes
Immigration attorney
“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.”
financialexpress.com
Fiona McEntee
Founding partner of the McEntee Law Group
“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.”
financialexpress.com
Protima Daryanani
Managing partner of the Daryanani Law Group
“We have scenarios where people who should never have been approved are getting O-1s. The process has been watered down because people just meet the categories.”
financialexpress.com
Shervin Abachi
Founder of Abachi Law in New York City
“Officers are now seeing petitions where value is framed almost entirely through algorithm-based metrics. Once that becomes normal, artistic merit starts to look like a scoreboard.”
financialexpress.com
Sources
US artist visa O 1B, meant for talented creators, is now a pathway for OnlyFans and social media influencers
O-1B visa sees surge amid US immigration crackdown drawing Onlyfans models and influencers
