Do I need a new O-1 petition if I change employers?

The O-1 is petition- and employer-specific. The approval is tied to the employer or agent that filed for you and to the specific work described in the petition.

If you move to a new employer, that employer (or an agent acting for you) must file a new Form I-129 petition on your behalf. You generally should not start the new work until the petition is filed and properly handled.

O-2 essential support personnel, who assist an O-1 artist or athlete, may only change employers in conjunction with the O-1 they support, reflecting how closely tied the O classifications are to specific work.