o-1 approval secured for franky zapata, flyboard entrepreneur

Managing Partner Michael Wildes is pleased to announce that Wildes & Weinberg has secured an O-1 visa approval on behalf of Franky Zapata.

Franky Zapata is the undisputed leader in developing and manufacturing hydro- and jet-powered technologies and products. Mr. Zapata was previously a world champion jet ski racer and his experience in that sport led him to establish Zapata Racing and Zapata Group to satisfy his passion of inventing new aftermarket products to make the world’s fastest and most innovative personal water crafts.

In 2012 Mr. Zapata launched the revolutionary Flyboard, kickstarting a niche $200 million Hydroflight sports and Recreation industry. In 2016 Mr. Zapata achieved its proof of concept goal by producing the safest, most reliable, lightest, fastest, and least expensive personal flight system ever created with the unveiling of the Flyboard Air. The Flyboard Air utilizes Mr. Zapata’s proprietary algorithms and balance methodology to direct jet engines to act independently and harmoniously. The performance of the parameters of the Flyboard Air provide undisputed proof that Mr. Zapata’s technology is commercially viable for advanced applications within the military, industrial and medical fields. With more than 40 million views on the web and appearing in the most prestigious commercials in the world, such as for the Super Bowl in the United States, Mr. Zapata and Zapata Group’s reputation is well established.

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 three of the 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 seven 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, visit our Immigration 101 page or contact Michael Wildes at michael@wildeslaw.com

For Further Information On How We Can Help Your Firm Meet Its Employment Eligibility Verification Obligations, Please Contact Amy Wildes At amy@wildeslaw.com

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Josh Wildes & everyone on the W&W team were excellent with dealing with my green card application. The team were responsive to any questions, set clear goals & requirements for any & all documentation and were clear on what to...

Kelvin Barker Date : March 10, 2023

I received my Green Card from Michael Wildes and his firm some days ago. The petition approval and Green Card release represent a real achievement for people like me in the US. Michael Wildes and his team are excellent, and...

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Dear Michael Wildes, my husband and I would like to thank you and your team,  the work was not easy, especially in the statement, there were a lot of flaws, but we managed to correct everything in a short time,...

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Our client David came to us after spending more than three years stuck in the immigration court morass with another attorney. His individual hearing wasn’t scheduled to occur for over a year, and he thought it might get pushed off...

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Josh Wildes and Yoni Jonas are amazing! We sought Wildes & Weinberg help because our application for naturalization was taking a long time and seemed to be stuck in the system indefinitely. Within two weeks of submitting our paperwork to...

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Michael Wildes and the rest of the team at Wildes & Weinberg were tremendously helpful in navigating us through the complexities of the immigration process. We are really happy with their service and would 100% recommend them to anyone looking...

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Michael and his team are very professional and they always deliver. If you're looking to hire the best possible immigration law firm, you don't have to look any further, Wildes & Weinberg is the one.

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