What to Do After O1-EB-1 Visa Approval

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Congratulations! You've finally received the long-awaited approval — whether it's the non-immigrant O-1 visa or the immigrant EB-1 category (Green Card for "persons with extraordinary abilities"). To learn about the 10 criteria, of which you need to meet 3 to obtain this visa, read here. Joy overflows, but a logical question arises: "What's next?" Below we'll walk through step by step what happens after approval.

If the O-1 Visa Is Approved (Non-Immigrant)

After USCIS has approved your petition, everything depends on where you currently are:

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A. You are outside the U.S.

Now the consular stage awaits. You need to fill out the online DS-160 form (what DS-160 is, read in our glossary), pay the consular fee ($190), and schedule an interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate. After a successful interview, the O-1 visa will be placed in your passport — time to pack your bags! Amounts are current as of December 2025; always check travel.state.gov and uscis.gov.

You may enter the U.S. up to 10 days before the visa validity period begins, and must leave no later than 10 days after it ends. This is a "grace period": time to settle in, but you cannot work during this time. At the border, the officer will stamp your passport with entry and status end dates (sometimes adding those same +10 days).

B. You are already in the U.S. and changed status to O-1.

In this case, after petition approval you receive an I-797 notice with an I-94 attachment — effectively, you're already in O-1 status and can start working from the date specified in the petition.

A visa stamp in the passport isn't needed as long as you don't leave the country. But if you plan a trip outside the U.S. — prepare for a consulate visit: you'll need to go through an interview and get the O-1 visa stamped in your passport. Without it, you won't be allowed back into the U.S. So plan ahead.

Note: it's not always possible to switch from one visa to another while inside the country. There are two procedures — Change of Status and Adjustment of Status (AOS), which we cover in detail in a separate section. This is especially relevant for Ukrainians in the U.S. under the U4U program Link

Otherwise, it's simple: you entered — now go demonstrate your talents.

Family members (spouse and children under 21) can obtain an O-3 visa and live with you. But not work. More details in the O1 or EB1 section.

After arrival, you can take care of practical matters — driver's license, bank account, Social Security Number, etc.

If the EB-1 Category Is Approved (Immigrant Green Card)

This is a big step forward — you are almost a permanent resident of the U.S. Two paths are possible:

A. You are already in the U.S. and filed Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status)

And you have the right to use this procedure, more details here.

After approval, USCIS will send you a Welcome Notice, and later the physical Green Card by mail. This usually takes a few weeks. Effectively, from the moment of approval, you are already a resident and can live and work without restrictions.

You can open the champagne (or sparkling water 😉) and celebrate your new status.

If you changed your address — don't forget to update it with USCIS, otherwise the card may get lost.

B. You are outside the U.S. or chose consular processing.

In this case, you'll need to go through several steps:

1. Wait for a letter from the NVC (National Visa Center). Your I-140 case will be transferred there after approval. NVC will send you a "Welcome Letter" with your case number and instructions.
2. Fill out Form DS-260 — this is the online application for an immigrant visa. Enter a U.S. address for Green Card delivery, upload document scans (passport, certificates, police clearances, etc.).
3. Pay the fees: approximately $325 for processing and, if needed, $120 for Affidavit of Support.
4. Complete a medical examination with a certified physician (all results will be sealed in an envelope for the consulate).
5. Attend the interview at the U.S. embassy. Questions are standard: career, achievements, plans. If USCIS has already approved the petition — in the vast majority of cases the interview goes successfully, since USCIS has already approved the petition.
6. After visa approval, pay the Immigrant Fee ($235) online on the USCIS website — without this, the physical card won't be printed.
7. Enter the U.S. within 6 months of the medical exam date. At the border, the officer will stamp your passport with an "IR1/EB-1" designation — this is a temporary Green Card valid for one year, granting the right to live, work, and travel while the permanent one arrives.
8. Receive your Green Card by mail — usually within 2–8 weeks. If more than 90 days have passed and it hasn't arrived — you can submit an inquiry to USCIS.

Summary

Yes, after EB-1 approval there's still some work to do — especially if going through consular processing. But the result is worth it: you enter the U.S. as a permanent resident, without any extensions or stress.

The O-1 visa opens doors for a career start, EB-1 — for permanent life.

So the main thing is to see it through: complete consular processing (if needed), enter the U.S., receive your documents, and… finally breathe out.

Ahead — a new life, new goals, and new opportunities 🚀 Best of luck!