Managing Partner Michael Wildes is pleased to announce that Wildes & Weinberg has secured a new O-1 Approval on behalf of Israel (Izzy) Tapoohi, a leading expert in business and finance. Izzy will be taking on the role of President and CEO of Birthright Israel Foundation, the North American funding arm of Birthright Israel.
Most recently, Mr. Tapoohi served as President and CEO of Israel Bonds (Development Corporation for Israel) for the last five years. During his tenure, he led the organization to more than $5 billion in U.S. sales. Prior to Israel Bonds, Mr. Tapoohi held numerous board appointments including as Chairman of the Board of Africa-Israel Investments, as Executive Chairman of the Board of Bezeq, Israel’s largest telecommunications group, and as a member of the Council and Advisory Committee of the Central Bank of Israel.
Mr. Wildes was honored to have secured this 0-1 visa classification for Israel Tapoohi so that he may continue to work in his area of expertise in the United States.
In order to qualify for an O-1 visa which allows individuals of extraordinary ability in the arts, sciences, athletics, education or business to live and work in the United States, a foreign national must provide adequate documentation to demonstrate that he/she has sustained national or international acclaim in their field.
In addition, the individual must provide substantial evidence to prove that he/she meets 3 of the 6 evidence categories defined by statute, as well as a written advisory opinion from a labor union or relevant peer group. The O-1 visa applicant must also show that he/she has an offer of employment in the United States to work in his/her field of expertise (or several offers of employment from multiple sources, along with a third-party Agent to petition on the individual’s behalf and connect him/her to the multiple employers).
For more than fifty six years, the firm of Wildes & Weinberg has concentrated its practice in all aspects of U.S. immigration and nationality law, servicing the immigration requirements of prominent American and International individuals and corporations, banks, industrial, financial and manufacturing concerns, and law firms in connection with the personnel needs of their foreign national employees. In addition, the firm has a distinguished clientele and has done substantial immigration work for investors, scientists, physicians, bankers, performing artists, directors, writers, models, actors, athletes, fine artists, art dealers, curators, musicians, and literary agents.
For more information on the O-1 visa category, which allows individuals of extraordinary ability in the arts, sciences, athletics, education and business to live and work in the United States, please visit our Immigration 101 page or contact Michael Wildes at michael@wildeslaw.com