This workshop dives into the process of applying for or renewing an O class US Work Visa for creative professionals. The O-1 nonimmigrant visa is for an individual who possesses extraordinary ability in arts,  business, and motion picture industry, and has been internationally recognized for their talents.

A Q&A after the workshop will give attendees an opportunity to ask questions about other visa and immigration concerns.

About the Presenter:

 Verna Polutan is a graduate of Cornell University (B.A. Govt.) and New York Law School (J.D. 1997). She has been engaged in the practice area of immigration law since 1998. After graduating from law school, Attorney Polutan worked in private practice for an immigration law firm in New York City. She moved to Los Angeles in 1999 and worked as an associate at one of the largest immigration law firms in the West Coast. Attorney Polutan established her law office in 2002.

Ms. Polutan mainly practices in the areas of family immigration and business immigration.  In the area of business immigration, Attorney Polutan specializes in the representation of foreign nationals who are in specialty occupations and in professional fields. The latter also includes employees of multi-national corporations, international entertainers and athletes, scientists, medical and scientific researchers, computer engineers and healthcare workers. She has done work for companies such as Medecins Sans Frontieres, Qantas Airways Limited, Columbia Artists Management, Inc. and American Media Inc. She has also done legal work for multinational executives, former Olympic athletes, world-renowned artists as well as entertainers in the recording and entertainment industry, which enabled them to obtain temporary work visas as well as legal permanent residence as artists of extraordinary ability. She has written for the Asian Journal,Diaryo Pilipino and The Filipino Reporter. Verna Polutan is licensed in California, New York, Connecticut and the District of Columbia. She is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and is a Board Member of the American Friends of the School of Oriental and African Studies--University of London

These workshops are made possible, in part, from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Arts Commission; The City of Los Angeles, Department of Cultural Affairs; and the California Community Foundation.  Additional support provided by the California Arts Council.