Are You Authorized to Work for Multiple Employers on an O-1 Visa?

Published: May 13, 2025

Does the O-1 visa let you work for more than one employer? If you’re a nonimmigrant with exceptional skills and achievements, you can work in the US for a limited duration with an O-1 visa, initially up to three years. You can extend your authorized stay by applying before that initial period ends. 

A Congressional Research Service (CRS) report shows 18,994 visa issuances for the O-1 visa category in FY 2023. Unlike H-1B petitions, the O-1 visa category doesn’t impose numerical restrictions on the number of visas issued annually. No wonder it has become an appealing alternative for those who can’t secure an H-1B visa.

Another advantage of holding an O-1 visa is the flexibility to secure employment with multiple employers. However, since it’s only legally possible under specific conditions, proactive planning with an experienced immigration lawyer is crucial to ensure proper documentation and immigration compliance. This post will explore the specifics of how this pathway works. 

How O-1 Visa Holders Can Work for More Than One Employer

O-1 visas allow nonimmigrants with extraordinary abilities in specific fields to work for more than one employer. But since it’s generally tied to specific employment, holding jobs with multiple employers on an O-1 visa is limited to the following options: 

Separate O-1 visa petitions from the employers

An approved O-1 visa only permits you to work solely for the employer who sponsored you. If you want to work with multiple employers, they must submit separate O-1 visa petitions to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). 

The petition must specify the nature of employment, tasks you will perform, and the duration of your work. Moreover, USCIS will require you to submit an amended petition if there are substantial changes to your employer, job duties, or work locations. 

A single petition from the O-1 visa agent

Filing a petition through an O-1 visa agent is another alternative to secure employment with multiple employers. In this case, the US-based agent’s role can be an actual employer or a representative of numerous employers. This flexibility reduces the need to have separate petition filings from different employers. 

The O-1 visa agent must provide a complete itinerary with specific details on each employer, the corresponding work locations, the tasks you will perform, and dates of each service. A proof that all proposed work aligns with your area of extraordinary ability is also necessary. 

Secure Better O-1 Visa Approval Chances With ALG Lawyers

Despite its flexibility to work with several employers and not being subject to an annual cap, the O-1 visa classification has strict requirements, making it challenging to qualify. A credible Los Angeles immigration lawyer can simplify the process and help boost your chances of securing approval for an O-1 visa application.  Because of our structured approach and years of experience working on immigration cases, ALG Lawyers can assist in crafting a strong and accurate O-1 visa application from the outset. Call our reliable team now for an in-depth and personalized consultation.