O-1 Visa Approval Rate: Latest USCIS Data and What It Means for Your Petition
If you are an athlete, coach, founder, researcher, or executive considering the O-1 visa, the approval rate is usually the first number you look up. It is a useful signal, but only if you know what it measures and what it doesn't. This guide tracks the latest USCIS figures every quarter and explains what they mean for someone preparing a petition today.
We keep this page current instead of publishing a new article each quarter, so the numbers below always reflect the most recent USCIS release.
Latest quarter at a glance: Q3 FY2026
What changed this quarter
The approval rate held steady. Q3's 91.0% is nearly identical to Q2's 91.2%. The drop from FY2025 happened earlier in the year and has not deepened.
Volume went up. USCIS decided 8,759 O-category petitions in Q3, compared with 7,583 in Q2, an increase of about 15%.
Denials are running above last year. With one quarter still left, FY2026 has already produced 2,096 denials, more than the 1,948 USCIS issued in all of FY2025.
RFEs remain elevated. About 23% of petitions received an RFE in Q3 (about 24% in Q2), compared with roughly 19% in the prior year. More petitions are being questioned before a decision is made.
FY2026 quarter-by-quarter tracker
O-1 approval rate trend: FY2020 to today
Two patterns stand out. First, demand keeps growing: FY2025 set a record of more than 31,000 decisions, and FY2026 is on pace to exceed it. Second, after four years in the 93–95% range, the approval rate is now at its lowest level since FY2021. The O-1 is still far more approvable than most employment-based categories, but it is no longer a near-automatic approval for a petition with a thin record.
Is there a separate approval rate for each O-1 visa category?
No. USCIS does not publish separate approval rates for O-1A (sciences, education, business, and athletics) and O-1B (arts, film, and television). Its Form I-129 data reports the whole O classification together, which also includes O-2 support personnel. Any website that gives you a precise "O-1A-only" approval rate is estimating.
In practice, the combined figure is still the best available benchmark for O-1A and O-1B petitions. Just keep in mind that it blends several very different types of cases, from Olympic athletes with international medals to early-career founders building their record.
Why the O-1 approval rate is so high
A 91% approval rate does not mean the O-1 is easy. It reflects who files:
Self-selection: Most O-1 applicants already have a documented record, such as rankings, awards, press coverage, or high compensation, before they file. People without that record usually don't apply.
A clear evidentiary standard: Applicants must show a major internationally recognized award or meet at least 3 of 8 regulatory criteria. A well-prepared petition maps each piece of evidence to a specific criterion.
Attorney preparation: A large share of petitions are filed by experienced immigration counsel who organize the evidence the way officers expect to see it.
RFEs as a second chance: Many petitions that are eventually approved first received an RFE. A strong response can turn a weak spot into an approval.
In some scenarios, applicants can get an RFE. Do not panic, this doesn´t mean you are out of chances for the O-1 visa. USCIS sends RFEs when they need more proof of your talent, meaning further solid documentation on your case. If you are wondering in which cases USCIS can send an RFE, check the 5 most common O-1 visa RFE objections.
Why O-1 petitions get RFEs or denials
The rise in RFEs means more petitions are being questioned on the details. The issues we see most often:
Evidence that doesn't match the criteria. A press mention that is about the team, not the athlete, or a "membership" that anyone can join by paying a fee.
Passing the criteria but failing the final merits. Meeting 3 criteria is only step one. The officer then decides whether the whole record shows you are among the small percentage at the top of your field, with sustained acclaim.
Generic expert letters. Recommendation letters that praise without citing specific achievements, results, or impact carry little weight.
Weak or missing itinerary. The petition must show what you will do in the U.S., for whom, and when. Vague contracts or event schedules invite questions.
Advisory opinion problems. O-1 petitions require a consultation from a relevant peer group, labor organization, or management organization. A missing or poorly matched advisory opinion is an avoidable issue.
Outdated achievements. Acclaim needs to be sustained. A strong record from years ago, without recent results, can raise doubts.
How to strengthen your O-1 petition
Build around your strongest 3–4 criteria. Depth beats breadth. Documenting three criteria thoroughly is better than claiming six with weak evidence.
Prove the significance of each achievement. Don't just list a ranking, award, or league. Show how selective it is, who else has earned it, and why it matters in your field.
Use comparative data. For athletes and coaches, rankings, statistics, contract values, and national-team selections show where you stand relative to peers.
Get specific expert letters. The strongest letters come from recognized people in your field who explain exactly what you accomplished and why it's exceptional.
Prepare the itinerary and contracts early. Deal memos, tournament schedules, or engagement letters should be ready before filing.
Consider premium processing. It gets you a decision (or an RFE) within 15 business days, which helps with contract and season deadlines.
Frequently asked questions
What is the O-1 visa approval rate right now?
The most recent USCIS data shows a 91.0% approval rate for O-category petitions in Q3 of FY2026 (April–June 2026), and 91.0% for FY2026 so far. We update this page each quarter as new figures come out.
Is the O-1 approval rate going down?
Slightly. It fell from 93.9% in FY2025 to 91.0% so far in FY2026, and denials through Q3 already exceed last year's full-year total. The rate has stayed stable between Q2 and Q3, so there is no sign of a further sharp drop yet.
How common are RFEs for O-1 petitions?
About 23% of O-category petitions received an RFE in Q3 FY2026, up from about 19% a year earlier. An RFE is not a denial. Many petitions are approved after a well-documented response.
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