OnlyFans models and influencers are the major benefactors of the O-1B artists visas in the United States as streams, views and follower count allows for clear and easy metrics to quantify impact, according to a Financial Times report.
Citing immigration attorney Michael Wildes, whose father Leon Wildes defended John Lennon and Yoko Ono in their deportation case, the report said that social media influencers and streaming stars are far outpacing traditional artists when it comes to gaining O-1B visa approvals to the US.
Wildes described the phenomenon as a shift towards “scroll kings and queens”.
What is the O-1 category of US visas?
Notably, O-1B visas are reserved for creatives who can prove “exceptional ability”. Similarly, the O-1A visas cater to those with remarkable abilities in science, education, business or athletics. Together, these are the O-1 category of visas available for talent, seeking opportunities in the US.
Notably, it was Leon Wildes who helped “pave the way” for the O-1B visa with his defence of Lennon and Ono in 1972, when he argued for a dedicated visa for artists. The US Congress codified the O-1B visa in its Immigration Act of 1990.
To qualify for an O-1B visa, one must among other things:
Perform in a leading role for a distinguished production,Show record of commercial success or significant recognition from experts.
Attorneys told FT that these qualifications have now been adapted to fit online influencers and streamers.
Notably, between 2014 to 2024, the number of O-1 visa issuances has increased more than 50%, and total number of non-immigrant visas issued has jumped by 10%, as per the report. O-1 share in total non-immigrant visas is low — less than 20,000 in 2024.
How big are OnlyFans models, influencers winning?
Immigration attorneys told the publication that proving “exceptional” talents to gain such visas is a murky process and often subjective to each field. And it is here where influencers and OnlyFans streamers win big.
Likes, subscriber numbers, views and streaming data are easy metrics that such clients use to quantify and justify their application. As immigration lawyer and founding partner of the Yao Law Group, Elektra Yao laid it out to FT, “A lay person is very easily impressed by a large number of followers. You don’t need to be a rocket scientist.”
Fiona McEntee, founding partner of the McEntee Law Group noted that significant follower count and high earnings can prove commercial success and brand contracts can show endorsement of talent. “If you think about how many people are on social media every day and how few people actually make a living from it — it is really a skill,” she told the paper.
The commerce of arts: Cultural shift underway
However, New York City-based attorney and founder of Abachi Law, Shervin Abachi expressed concern that attaching metrics to arts could disadvantage noncommercial talents.
“Officers are being handed petitions where value is framed almost entirely through algorithm-based metrics. Once that becomes normalised, the system moves towards treating artistic merit like a scoreboard,” Abachi warned.
“That is a structural shift, not a niche development. What looks like a spike in influencer filings may be signalling a broader shift in how opportunity is allocated,” he added.