OnlyFans Stars Secure U.S. O-1B Visas Demonstrating 'Extraordinary Ability'
OnlyFans creators and social media influencers are successfully petitioning for O-1B visas in the United States, recognizing their notable impacts within the digital entertainment industry. Although reserved for individuals with exceptional abilities in fields like arts and science, the definition of 'extraordinary' has now expanded to include substantial online influence.
Case Spotlight: Alinity Divine
Colombian-born social media influencer Natalia Mogollon, popularly known as Alinity Divine, is among those who have obtained an O-1B visa, capitalizing on her strong digital presence. Alinity, 37, boasts 1.5 million followers with whom she shares video gaming content and adult-themed material on OnlyFans, a platform designed for content creators to offer exclusive material to subscribers.
Shift in Visa Demographics
The demographic of O-1B visa recipients has evolved significantly since its inception in 1990. Influencers now represent up to 65 percent of the recipients. This shift underscores a broader acceptance of digital content creators as legitimate artists possessing extraordinary abilities, further evidenced by the rise in digital content creation and consumption during the pandemic.
Emerging Trends and High-Profile Cases
Australian lifestyle blogger Rachel Anderson and viral TikTok boyband Boy Throb have also secured these visas by demonstrating their online popularity and engagement. Boy Throb's strategic approach to online recognition played a crucial role in achieving significant follower growth, reaching one million TikTok followers within a month.
Debate Over Visa Criteria
The metrics for O-1B visas have expanded to include follower counts and brand partnerships. This development has sparked debate over the potential devaluation of traditional artistic merit in favour of quantifiable, algorithm-driven metrics. Critics argue that the high standards of the program are being diluted, focusing more on numerical success than raw talent.
Professional Insights on the Changing Standards
Immigration attorney Jacob Sapochnick, initially skeptical, shifted his views after witnessing the substantial earnings of an OnlyFans creator, approximately $250,000 a month. Sapochnick now represents many influencers and acknowledges these substantial earnings as evidence of their extraordinary abilities.
Elizabeth Jacobs, a former advisor at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), however, raised concerns that high follower counts and engagement metrics might overshadow genuine artistic talent, emphasizing that these are merely indicators of above-average skill among digital creators.
O-1 Visa Issuance Trends
The U.S. State Department has noted a significant increase in the issuance of O-1 visas since 2020, sustaining the trend despite strict immigration policies of the Trump administration. The uncapped nature of the visa provides broad discretion to immigration officers on what qualifies as 'extraordinary', continuing the ongoing debate over the program's integrity in the modern digital and artistic landscape.
