Even landing a paid brand deal can serve as proof of talent, and appearing at an event or launch can serve as the equivalent of starring in a renowned production, Fiona McEntee, founding partner of the McEntee Law Group, told the outlet.

The Department of Labor says it will release 35,000 supplemental visas under a discretionary cap, fewer than in previous years.

The O-1 visas were created under the Immigration Act of 1990 and were traditionally used by performers, musicians, visual artists and other creatives to work in the United States for a specific project or engagement, with the possibility of extensions. Applicants are required to be represented by an employer or agent in the U.S.

Four countries have taken a stance against recent U.S. travel bans and are barring U.S. citizens from entering their countries for the sake of reciprocally.

The West African nation of Niger announced on Dec. 26, that it would “completely and permanently” stop issuing visas to U.S. citizens and ban U.S. nationals from entering into the country “indefinitely,” according to The Street. Other West African nations followed suit, including Burkina Faso, Chad and Mali.

The Trump administration will reduce legal immigration, increase deportations and limit the hiring of H-1B visa holders in 2026.