In a striking evolution of America's immigration system, the O-1 visa — originally designed for individuals with "extraordinary abilities" in fields like the arts, sciences, and entertainment — has become a gateway for social media influencers and OnlyFans creators.
This trend, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, highlights how the visa program is adapting to the digital economy, where metrics like follower counts, engagement rates, and subscription revenues serve as proof of exceptional talent. Immigration attorneys report that these online personalities now comprise 50% to 65% of their O-1 clientele, raising questions about societal values, economic incentives, and the dilution of standards once reserved for icons like John Lennon.
The O-1 Visa: From Lennon to Digital Stars
The O-1 visa, established in 1990, allows non-immigrants with extraordinary abilities to work in the U.S. for up to three years, with extensions possible. The O-1B subcategory targets those in the arts, requiring applicants to meet at least three of six criteria: leading roles in distinguished productions, national or international recognition, commercial or critical success, expert endorsements, high salary, or other comparable evidence.
Famously, it was used to prevent the deportation of John Lennon in the 1970s, and later for figures like Sinéad O’Connor.
Data from the U.S. State Department shows a significant uptick: O-1 issuances rose more than 50% from 2014 to 2024, reaching approximately 19,457 in 2024 alone — still a fraction of the hundreds of thousands of H-1B visas for skilled workers, but without an annual cap.
This growth contrasts with a mere 10% increase in overall non-immigrant visas during the same period. Post-COVID, approvals dipped in 2020-2021 due to restrictions but have surged since, with 125,351 O-1 visas issued between 2017 and 2024.
The Rise of Influencers and OnlyFans Creators
Immigration lawyers have pivoted to represent digital creators, adapting traditional criteria to fit online realities. For instance, high earnings from subscriptions count as commercial success, brand partnerships as expert recognition, and event appearances as leading roles.
San Diego-based attorney Jacob Sapochnick recounted his first OnlyFans client in 2020: a model earning $250,000 monthly. "She showed me the backend of her platform... I was like, oh my god. Okay. I can use that," he said. His clients include fitness influencers from China, Russia, and Canada who use platforms like Instagram as a "front gate" to OnlyFans, often branching into businesses like fitness programs or influencer agencies.
New York lawyer Michael Wildes, whose firm handled Lennon's case, noted the shift: "I realized the era of legendary names was over. Now it’s the scroll kings and queens." His practice has "tons" of social media influencers and dozens of OnlyFans models in the pipeline, though he advises diversifying beyond explicit content for green card paths. Beverly Hills attorney Eli Kantor has worked with three OnlyFans models in recent years, leveraging brand deals (e.g., Nike) and events. Miami's Joe Bovino reports 60-65% of his post-COVID clients are content creators.
OnlyFans, launched in 2016 and booming during lockdowns, facilitates direct monetization—subscribers pay for content, including adult material, providing verifiable metrics unlike bot-inflated views on other platforms. However, successes have waned since 2022 due to market saturation and AI-generated alternatives.
Economic Logic Behind the Trend
From a pragmatic viewpoint, this makes sense in the creator economy. OnlyFans isn't just "internet porn" — it's a robust sector with B2B services, agencies, and analytics tools. Top creators generate stable, high revenue: a model earning $250,000 monthly pays substantial U.S. taxes if residing over 183 days, often more than many H-1B PhD researchers. These funds circulate domestically, boosting demand for services, real estate, and goods.
Objective metrics — paying subscribers, not abstract acclaim — streamline approvals. As attorney Fiona McEntee put it: "If you think about how many people are on social media every day and how few actually make a living from it — it is really a skill." Elektra Yao added: "A lay person is very easily impressed by a large number of followers."
The Moral Dilemma: Diluting 'Extraordinary'?
Yet, this adaptation creates unease. Traditional artists and scientists worry the system favors algorithmic success over cultural depth. Attorney Protima Daryanani warned: "We have scenarios where people who should never have been approved are getting approved... It’s been watered down." Shervin Abachi noted: "Officers are being handed petitions where value is framed almost entirely through algorithm-based metrics... That is a structural shift."
Funding cuts and precarious careers plague academia, while visas prioritize those monetizing "nudes." On X (formerly Twitter), users lampoon the irony: one post quipped that engineers find O-1 easier than marriage, while influencers do the same. Another called it the "OnlyFans takeover," imagining explaining it to Lennon.
Critics like David Williams decry misuse alongside H-1B abuses, calling for a moratorium.
The market's brutality is evident: audiences pay $20 monthly for certain content, but not for fundamental research. As one X post lamented, H-1B holders enrich industry, while O-1 "models" drain resources.
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Looking Forward
The O-1 visa's pivot reflects broader shifts in value creation, but it underscores uncomfortable truths about priorities. As digital metrics dominate, the program risks becoming a "scoreboard" for popularity, sidelining less quantifiable contributions. Whether this sustains innovation or exacerbates inequalities remains debated, but for now, America's "extraordinary talent" increasingly includes those mastering the scroll.
