TLDR for sure, but I know some folks out there are looking for help with immigration. Perhaps my story can help.

I'm a Canadian, living in California on an O1-b visa for excellence in arts/science (costume and theater in my case) .

Three years ago I applied for the initial visa (3 year). Proof was based on work done, awards and commendations, plus hosted a big sale of costume. Paid about $4500 for the first visa, and moved (Beware shadey importers of vehicles! different story) Closed Arend Studios LTD Canada, open Arend Studios LLC, USA. Work, sleep, pay taxes, etc.

Note: You do not keep your original visa. When it runs out, you apply for a new one, from scratch. So, new and current proof of work / excellence is needed to reapply. Held a second costume sale, which goes as proof of income.

Last summer, I applied for the extension visa (1 year ~$2700), and began work towards the final stage, the actual Greencard. More paperwork, more lawyers, more proof of income/awards/community involvement.

So, right now I am talking with my Lawyer. filling out yet more paperwork, and preparing to hold a final costume sale to use as proof of income. This will also likely book me up again for a year or two, which has its perks and drawbacks :D

Sometimes they make a 'request for evidence', which means the feds are looking for more proof of what you are claiming. So, putting as much stuff into the box you send them is a definite plus. Atm, I have a bankers box full of stuff that we send off. May even throw a pair of paws and cast items in there for the heck of it. Every bit helps :D

And then you wait. Who know how long, it's the magic black box.

You can pay ~$1200 for processing by a premium department. (Smaller pool, dedicated person handles your copy, start to finish, RFE included) But sometimes that department gets underfunded and closed, and 'express' just becomes top-copy to the general labor pool. Not a good value there. I paid premium my first year, but did not last year, as the department didn't exist at the time. Apparently the department exists in 2012, so I am going to pay again for the premium service.

So, to those wishing to move about, it is possible. Just be ready for a lot of commitment, and a process that takes a few years. :)


And now, time to make some sort of advert for our third and final immigration sale extravaganza :D