Influencers and OnlyFans Models Dominate US 'Extraordinary' Artist Visas (ft.com)
(Monday January 05, 2026 @11:41AM (msmash)
from the how-about-that dept.)
- Reference: 0180518355
- News link: https://tech.slashdot.org/story/26/01/05/166232/influencers-and-onlyfans-models-dominate-us-extraordinary-artist-visas
- Source link: https://www.ft.com/content/8816fcec-4148-4cda-be7f-fc59d5bcbf59
The O-1B visa, a work permit reserved for individuals deemed to possess "extraordinary ability" in the arts, has become [1]the pathway of choice for social media influencers and OnlyFans models seeking to build careers in the United States. Immigration attorneys told the Financial Times that influencers now make up more than half their clientele for O-1B applications, a shift that has accelerated since the Covid-19 pandemic as lawyers and talent managers have adapted the visa's criteria -- originally designed for traditional artists -- to fit the metrics of online fame.
High follower counts and substantial earnings can establish commercial success under the visa's requirements, landing a brand promotion contract can qualify as an endorsement of talent, and appearing at a store opening can count as performing in a "distinguished production." The total number of O-1 visas granted annually increased by more than 50% between 2014 and 2024, even as overall non-immigrant visa issuance grew by just 10%. Fewer than 20,000 O-1 visas were granted in 2024. Some attorneys said they worry the fixation on algorithm-driven metrics could disadvantage traditionally trained artists whose work doesn't generate viral attention.
[1] https://www.ft.com/content/8816fcec-4148-4cda-be7f-fc59d5bcbf59
High follower counts and substantial earnings can establish commercial success under the visa's requirements, landing a brand promotion contract can qualify as an endorsement of talent, and appearing at a store opening can count as performing in a "distinguished production." The total number of O-1 visas granted annually increased by more than 50% between 2014 and 2024, even as overall non-immigrant visa issuance grew by just 10%. Fewer than 20,000 O-1 visas were granted in 2024. Some attorneys said they worry the fixation on algorithm-driven metrics could disadvantage traditionally trained artists whose work doesn't generate viral attention.
[1] https://www.ft.com/content/8816fcec-4148-4cda-be7f-fc59d5bcbf59
It's because they're high class prostitutes (Score:3)
This is the same type of Visa that Trump used to bring his current wife into the country with.
There are a whole bunch of only fans models that are really just very very expensive prostitutes for very very rich people.
This is basically sex trafficking like what we saw with the Epstein files only at least it's adult women for a change. I mean if it wasn't adult women then you wouldn't know about it so...