[fgdorais]

This is more of a historical question. I have a green card now so this is not currently relevant to me.

I wonder about the use of H1B vs O1 in academia. When I was doing postdocs in the US, I was often told that O1 was not the best route and H1B was easier (edit: for permanent positions). I learned from older colleagues that O1 was actually more frequent in their time (probably in the 90s). This is hearsay, of course, but I heard it often enough that seems somewhat accurate. What changed and could the H1B vs O1 balance change in the future?

[proberts]

The facts will dictate which path but really an H-1B is better, it's just not an option for everyone; it's better for several reasons but primarily it's better to be in H-1B status while pursuing a green card; there are no disruptions in the ability travel during the green card process and no issues with renewing an H-1B visa during the process. Years ago, many founders with existing businesses abroad used the L-1 visa to work in the U.S. and the H-1B wasn't as difficult to get years ago. The use of the O-1 has really exploded during the past 5+ years.

[fgdorais]

FWIW, my pathway was: F1, TN1, J1, H1B, green card over a period of 19.5 years... I'm thinking that wasn't optimal :-)