After O-1 Approval: Understanding Employment, Pay, and Your Options

Your O-1 Is Approved—Now What?

Congratulations! Your O-1 visa has been approved. But if you went the agent-based petition route through O1DMatch, you might have questions about how employment actually works.

Let's break it down.

The Employment Relationship Explained

Who Is Your Employer?

Here's the key distinction: your actual employer is the employer—not the agent-petitioner.

The agent (petitioner) filed the visa on your behalf. But when you work for one of the companies that provided an interest letter, that company is your employer. They:

• Pay your salary directly
• Handle payroll and taxes
• Manage your day-to-day work relationship

The agent-based petition simply gives you the authorization to work for these employers without them having to file separate visas.

You're Attractive to Employers Now

Once approved, you become highly attractive to the employers who provided interest letters. Through O1DMatch, they have visibility into:

• How qualified you are (we assess eligibility)
• Where you are in your visa process
• That you're now authorized to work

Expect these employers to reach out directly to discuss exact terms and get you employed.

What About the Agent-Petitioner?

Ongoing Obligations

The agent-petitioner's primary ongoing obligations are administrative:

• Forwarding USCIS correspondence if any documents arrive
• Providing your receipt and approval numbers for consular processing (if you're abroad)
• Ad-hoc services as needed—these can be engaged on a case-by-case basis

The agent doesn't employ you, pay you, or manage your work. They're the legal entity that sponsored your visa classification.

The Big Benefit: Visa Independence

Here's what makes this powerful: even if you don't get employed by any of the interest-letter companies, you still have your visa.

Your O-1 status isn't dependent on any single employer. As long as you're working in your field of extraordinary ability, you're maintaining status.

Working for Different Employers

What If You Want a Different Employer?

Let's say an amazing opportunity comes up with a company that didn't provide an interest letter. Can you work for them?

Yes—through a concurrent filing.

The new employer (or another agent on their behalf) can file an additional O-1 petition that runs concurrently with your existing one. If approved, you'll have authorization to work for both:

• Your original interest-letter employers
• The new employer

This doesn't impact your existing visa. It adds to your options.

Multiple Employers, One Visa Status

With the agent-based model, you can work for multiple employers simultaneously or sequentially—all under your approved O-1. The flexibility is built into the structure.

The O1DMatch Advantage Post-Approval

After approval, O1DMatch continues to provide value:

1. Employer connections through our marketplace
2. New interest letter opportunities as you build your career
3. Education and resources for both you and potential employers
4. Support network of talent and employers who understand the model

Key Takeaways

Question	Answer
Who pays me?	The employer you work for (not the agent)
What if an employer backs out?	Your visa remains intact—find another employer
Can I work for someone new?	Yes, via concurrent O-1 filing
Can I start my own business?	Yes, you can be self-employed between engagements
What does the agent do ongoing?	Forwards USCIS mail, provides documentation as needed

Questions about post-approval employment? Contact O1DMatch support →

Agent Based Petitions Concurrent Filing For Talent