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Scoop
6 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Crimson Education Graduates Into The Workforce With New Visa Spin-Out, Concord Visa
Press Release – Crimson Education After guiding more than 3,000 student visa applications through Crimson Education, Concord Visa has been created to support another under-served, high performing group; the ambitious people and high growth startups trying to access new markets. Concord Visa, an immigration consultancy spin-out from Crimson Education, has emerged from stealth to streamline how startups and talent access new markets, with a particular early focus on the United States. After guiding more than 3,000 student visa applications through Crimson Education, Concord Visa has been created to support another under-served, high performing group; the ambitious people and high growth startups trying to access new markets. 'With Crimson Education our mission was to unlock the best academic and career possibilities for students anywhere in the world. Concord is the natural extension of this philosophy, allowing extraordinary people and businesses to work where their ambitions take them,' said Crimson Education CEO, Jamie Beaton. 'We started Concord because we saw the same pattern again and again. Our Crimson alumni were doing incredible things; founding companies, joining high-growth and impact teams, conducting high-impact research, performing, competing, creating, but constantly trying to navigate visa hurdles. The process was confusing, slow, and often disconnected from the actual value they were bringing,' said Beaton. Concord Visa is built on the premise that neither career nor company growth should be stifled by bureaucratic hurdles. Its core offering expedites and optimises visa applications, particularly for highly sought-after categories like the O-1 visa for individuals with extraordinary abilities and achievements or the L-1, E-2, E-3, EB-1A, NIW, and skills shortage visas. The O-1 visa for 'extraordinary' individuals has gained in popularity in recent years, particularly amongst the growing class of startup founders and talents looking to expand their companies and careers in the United States. There is no annual cap on O-1's issued annually, meaning there is potential for more well prepared candidates to reach the US using them. 'My own journey to getting an O-1 visa was totally random. I bumped into a fellow Kiwi entrepreneur who mentioned she's secured a green card through this mystical process. After going through the application, I managed to land my visa, enabling me to build Crimson at full speed,' said Beaton. Australia and New Zealand non immigrant visas have been on the rise since COVID. Up 25% in Australia between 2022 and 2024, and 28% for New Zealanders over the same period.* 'Our approach is fundamentally different,' explains Kevin Park, CEO and co-founder of Concord Visa. 'We don't just process paperwork; we partner with our clients to understand their unique trajectory and build a compelling narrative that maximizes their chances of visa success.' As well as providing individual support for all immigration applications, the new business is also developing automation tools, and a modern, digital experience. This is contrasted with the industry writ-large, which has been bogged down by inefficiencies, high cost, and a lack of innovation. For startups, time and money are critical, and traditional immigration services often drain both. Concord offers flat-fee packages, ensuring transparency and predictability, while significantly reducing the time commitment required from founders and employees. Lifting up the next generation of ANZ unicorns Traditional visa services often operate with outdated methodologies, leading to significant delays, exorbitant costs, and a lack of tailored advice for the dynamic startup world. Before publicly launching its new immigration consultancy, Concord Visa has already guided more than 100 individuals and companies through their U.S. visa process, including brand tracking startup Tracksuit. Mikayla Hopkins, Head of Marketing at Tracksuit, used Concord to navigate visa applications during a critical period as they closed in on a mammoth $25m USD Series B raise. 'Navigating the complexities of international visas was essential to Tracksuit's growth and helped avoid setbacks during a crucial phase. Ensuring our talent moves freely keeps the business scaling globally. Their expertise was instrumental in enabling our expansion into the U.S. market,' said Hopkins. Likewise, Wayne Zhou, GM at Paraform Recruiters, relied on Concord to pave his path from Australia to the world stage as the company closed a $20 million USD Series A. Solving startups problems before they happen Concord Visa offers strategic guidance that goes beyond compliance, consulting with startups on their broader business objectives, identifying potential pitfalls related to visa compliance that traditional firms often overlook. For example, many international startups heading to the States receive advice to pursue treaty visas (E2 visas), which are initially straightforward but can become invalid when a company raises funding from diverse international investors. This can lead to a scramble to secure alternative visas under tight deadlines, or needing to leave the country within 60 days. 'We act as strategic advisors, looking far down the road to anticipate challenges,' adds Park. 'A common issue we see is companies outgrowing their initial visa strategy after successful funding rounds. Our expertise helps them plan for these eventualities, ensuring their talent remains compliant and their growth trajectory isn't disrupted by unforeseen immigration complexities.' Concord Visa is also building innovative technological solutions to further streamline the immigration process. Currently in development, these tools will proactively monitor changes in employment status, promotions, or residential addresses, automatically flagging potential visa compliance issues before they escalate. Concord Visa is 100% owned by Crimson Education, and currently helps with immigration into Australia, United Kingdom, New Zealand, and the United States.
Time Business News
22-05-2025
- Business
- Time Business News
Breaking Down the O1 Visa Requirements: A Pathway for Extraordinary Talent
The United States continues to attract global leaders, innovators, and creators through its immigration policies—particularly those designed to welcome individuals with exceptional abilities. One of the most prestigious and strategic visa options for such individuals is the O1 visa. However, gaining approval isn't simple. Understanding the full scope of the O1 visa requirements is critical for professionals hoping to live and work in the U.S. based on their distinguished achievements. Whether you're an accomplished scientist, renowned artist, elite athlete, or industry trailblazer, the O1 visa offers a direct route to pursue your work in the U.S.—without many of the limitations tied to other employment-based visas. But this opportunity comes with strict qualification standards and documentation demands. The O1 visa is a non-immigrant visa for individuals who possess 'extraordinary ability' in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics—or who have a demonstrated record of extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry. There are two main categories: O-1A: For individuals in sciences, education, business, or athletics O-1B: For individuals in the arts or in the motion picture/TV industry O1 visa holders can work in the U.S. temporarily for the specific employer or agent who files their petition. To qualify, the applicant must prove they have extraordinary ability, which means a level of expertise indicating that the person is one of a small percentage who has risen to the very top of their field. Applicants must provide evidence of either: A major, internationally recognized award (e.g., Nobel Prize, Oscar, Olympic medal), or or At least three of the following criteria, such as: Receipt of nationally or internationally recognized awards Membership in associations that require outstanding achievement Published material about the individual in professional or major trade publications Original contributions of major significance in the field Authorship of scholarly articles A high salary or other significantly high remuneration Participation as a judge of others in the field Employment in a critical or essential capacity for organizations with a distinguished reputation The bar is high—but not unattainable. Success depends on not only the applicant's accomplishments, but also how well those achievements are documented and presented. Petitioner or Agent: Unlike self-petitioned categories like EB-1A or NIW, the O1 requires a U.S. employer or agent to sponsor the applicant. Advisory Opinion: A written consultation from a peer group or labor organization is required to verify the legitimacy of the applicant's extraordinary ability. Form I-129 Filing: The sponsor must submit Form I-129, along with detailed documentation about the applicant's background, upcoming work in the U.S., and evidence supporting their eligibility. USCIS Review: The agency evaluates the evidence and may issue a Request for Evidence (RFE) if clarification is needed. Approval and Duration: The O1 visa is typically granted for the duration of the event, up to three years initially, with one-year extensions allowed. Even highly qualified individuals may face delays or denials due to avoidable errors. Here are some common pitfalls: Weak evidence formatting: Poorly organized or vague documentation can lead to RFEs. Lack of advisory letter: Missing or weak third-party evaluations are red flags for USCIS. Improper petitioner: Using the wrong legal structure for agents or employers can invalidate a case. Overlapping engagements: Applicants working for multiple clients must demonstrate that all engagements are tied together under a central agent. No annual cap: Unlike H-1B, there's no lottery or limit on the number of O1 visas issued each year. Dual intent: While technically non-immigrant, O1 holders can later apply for a Green Card without jeopardizing their status. Spouse and children support: O1 visa holders can bring dependents on O-3 visas, though spouses cannot work. Custom duration: Tailored to the length of the project or event, making it ideal for performers, researchers, and consultants. Many successful O1 visa holders eventually seek permanent residency through the EB-1A Extraordinary Ability category or EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver). While O1 and EB-1A have similar criteria, Green Card petitions demand more sustained evidence of achievement. Planning early can ensure a smoother transition. Whether you're a groundbreaking artist, a trailblazing scientist, or an executive launching projects across borders, meeting the O1 visa requirements is just the beginning. How you present your case—and who represents you—can be the deciding factor. Kulen Law Firm has helped hundreds of extraordinary professionals and creators secure O1 visa approvals and long-term immigration solutions. With over 15 years of experience in U.S. immigration law, their team offers strategic, detail-oriented support for talent-driven immigration cases worldwide. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
