Managing Partner Michael Wildes is thrilled to announce that we have secured a new 3-year O-1 approval for the exceptionally talented English actor Obi Abili. April 2019.
Mr. Abili has enjoyed an illustrious career performing for stage, film, and television. Recent roles include a recurring part on the well-known Showtime drama “Billions” and a critically acclaimed performance as the star of a lauded revival of Eugene O’Neill’s classic play “The Emperor Jones” at The Irish Rep. Managing Partner Michael Wildes notes that “it was a privilege to work with such an extraordinary talent as Obi.” We are honored to have had the opportunity to help Mr. Abili secure his O-1, and look forward to his continued success in the U.S. as a truly gifted performer.
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).
Founded in 1960 by Michael’s father, Leon Wildes, whose best-known accomplishment was his successful representation of John Lennon in his widely publicized deportation proceedings, the circumstances of which have inspired several films and documentaries, Wildes & Weinberg specializes exclusively in the practice of U.S. immigration and nationality law. More than fifty nine years since its inception the firm continues to serve a distinguished domestic and international clientele and covers all areas of U.S. immigration law, including employment and investment-based immigration, work permits, permanent residence for qualified individuals, family-based immigration, asylum applications and all temporary and permanent type visas.
In addition to running a highly successful immigration law practice, Michael was recently sworn-in as Mayor of Englewood, New Jersey, has just released his newly authored book, Safe Haven in America: Battles to Open the Golden Door, which draws on over a quarter of a century of his practice in the immigration field, is an Adjunct Professor at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in New York, serves as Counsel to Lincoln Center and several international/corporate law firms. Moreover, Michael is internationally renowned for his successful representation of distinguished individuals and corporate clients such as performing artists, directors, writers, models, actors/actresses, athletes, race car drivers, fine artists, art dealers, curators, musicians, photographers, stylists, and literary agents. Some of the firm’s other distinguished clients include several Miss Universe winners as well as soccer icon Pele, Master Chef Jean-Georges and First lady Melania Trump and her family.
Today, the firm of Wildes & Weinberg, maintains offices in New York City, New York, Englewood, New Jersey, Miami, Florida, and a presence in Los Angeles, California and continues to maintain its stellar reputation in the field of U.S. Immigration & Nationality Law.
For more information on the O-1 visa category, please visit our Immigration 101 page or contact Michael Wildes at michael@wildeslaw.com.