# Immigrating to the US at 16: My O-1 and EB-1A Journey 🇺🇸

A few months back I received my EB-1A green card:


I remember staring out the window from 5am, desperately waiting for the mailman. The moment was surreal -- navigating America's most complex immigration pathways while barely an adult had been the most challenging period of my life.

For privacy reasons, I can't share all the details, but I believe sharing my experience could help others understand what this process looks like.

## O-1 Nonimmigrant Visa

The journey began with my O-1 petition in early 2023. This visa category was designed for individuals with "extraordinary ability," – proving extraordinary ability when I was just getting started felt like an ambitious reach.

With Legalpad, I built my case with the following evidence. While USCIS evaluates each petition uniquely, I focused on presenting strong documentation across multiple criteria to maximize my chances of approval:

* **Original Contributions of Major Significance**
* **Critical Employment**
* **Receipt of nationally/internationally recognized awards for excellence in the field**
* **Individual participation as judge of others in the field**
* **High Salary or other remuneration**
* USCIS Policy Alert "if the petitioner demonstrates that receipt of a high salary is not readily applicable to the beneficiary’s position as an entrepreneur, the petitioner might present evidence that the beneficiary’s highly valued equity holdings in the startup are of comparable significance to the high salary criterion"

Sometime mid-2023, I received the approval – a milestone that would set the stage for what came next.

## EB-1A Immigrant Visa

Encouraged by the O-1 success, I immediately began the EB-1A process.

While the timeline looks neat on paper – O-1 in mid-2023, EB-1A in December 2023, green card in August 2024 – the reality was different. My case sat motionless for 6.5 months. Though I completed the process in 7 months instead of the expected 1-1.5 years, each day felt like an eternity.

I used the same evidence from my O-1 petition, adding a "final merit" section required for EB-1A. My petition was approved without any RFE, allowing me to proceed with my I-485 Application for Permanent Residence. I filed the I-485 independently and attended my interview in Los Angeles in early August, receiving approval the same day and my green card two weeks later.

**Note:** I was advised that I complete the petition separately from the application, as a rejection on the petition would mean a rejection on the application as well. I filed my I-485 alone, as I did not think I would require an attorney's help on the application. At the end I faced some difficulties – ended up getting help from [Steve Maggi Immigration](https://smaimmigration.com/) & [Law Offices of Nadadur S. Kumar](https://nskumarlaw.com/). **USE A LAWYER!**

## The hardest part, emotions

The hardest part wasn't the paperwork or the evidence gathering – it was the emotional toll.

As CEO of a crypto company, being unable to leave the country crippled our growth – missing critical conferences and limiting us to U.S.-based relationships while competitors traveled freely. At 19, while friends planned college trips abroad, I remained grounded. But worst of all was not seeing my father for over a year – for someone who relies heavily on family for emotional support, the isolation was overwhelming.

Then came the news that shattered my world: my grandfather passed away during these months. I spent countless nights wrestling with guilt and anger – at the system, at myself – for not being able to say goodbye one last time. Some nights, I contemplated giving up and returning to Korea. Other nights, I prayed for something most take for granted: a sense of home in my early adulthood.

## Legal Immigration

America is a country of immigrants, and I love this country. Yet the current system makes it nearly impossible for skilled immigrants to build their lives here. Even with strong qualifications, there's no rational justification for making the process this painful. We need better pathways that don't force people to choose between their careers and seeing their families, or building companies and their mental health.

## Closing words

Looking back, I'm still grieving. The sacrifices required by this process – one I had absolutely no control over – left deep marks. Yet, I'm also grateful. Grateful for the opportunity to build frontier technology in the U.S., grateful for my support system that kept me going.

Grateful for Mom & Dad, Jae Wu (my cofounder), Daniel Hwang, [Sean Mahsoul](https://presidio.legal) (best corporate lawyer ever!), [Steve Maggi Immigration](https://smaimmigration.com/) & [Law Offices of Nadadur S. Kumar](https://nskumarlaw.com/) (immigration attorneys), my investors, and countless friends and family who rooted for me during the process – they made this journey possible.

If you're going through a similar journey and need guidance, my [DMs](https://x.com/figmasimp) and [email](mailto:[e-mail]?subject=O1%20Visa) are always open. While I can't provide legal advice, I'm happy to share my experience and offer support.