Helping a Friend Extend Her O-1 Artist Visa for 3 Years — And What Happened After
Helping a Friend Extend Her O-1 Artist Visa for 3 Years — And What Happened After
An Italian artist successfully extended her O-1 visa for 3 years with my support. But the pandemic, NYC lockdowns, and rising living costs changed everything. Here’s her story and what it reveals about life and visas in New York.
It was difficult for her..sorry
How It All Started
In early January and February 2020, I was helping an Italian friend prepare her O-1 Artist Visa extension. She had already submitted her documents through an immigration lawyer, but unfortunately, she received a request for additional evidence from USCIS.
We spent hours meeting in cafés, carefully organizing her paperwork. Finally, after weeks of effort, her 3-year O-1 extension was approved.
Related: O-1 Artist Visa Guide
Then the Pandemic Hit
Just a month later, in March 2020, New York City went into lockdown due to COVID-19. My friend stayed in Manhattan for a while, but living alone during such a strict lockdown became unbearable. Eventually, she made the difficult decision to return to Italy.
Visa Interviews Canceled in Europe
Back in Italy, she faced another challenge: visa interviews. Although she scheduled an appointment at the U.S. consulate, it was repeatedly delayed and eventually canceled due to the pandemic.
By the time her visa was expiring, she still hadn’t been able to attend an interview—leaving her unable to return to New York.
Related: Tips for a Successful U.S. Visa Interview
Safety Concerns in New York
Another factor was the decline in safety in NYC.
She had lived alone in the East Village, but during the lockdown, the city’s atmosphere changed. Mental health patients were released from prisons during the pandemic, and the streets of Lower East Side saw more homelessness and instability.
This made her hesitant to move back, even though she missed the city deeply.
Related: Is New York Subway Still Safe?
What Happened to Her Extended Visa?
Her extended O-1 visa was valid until winter 2022. But when I asked her if she planned to return, she said it wasn’t realistic.
Why? Because she would need to find a new apartment in a city where inflation had driven rents sky-high. The cost of living in New York made it impossible for her at that time.
Still Dreaming of Returning to New York
Despite these struggles, she still hopes to return to New York someday. She told me that no city feels as free as New York. Compared to Italy—and even Japan—New York represents freedom and individuality.
But to live here again, she’ll need to secure either another visa or permanent residency. Every step on that journey feels like a crossroads, where one decision can change the entire course of life.
Final Thought
This story shows the bittersweet reality of the O-1 Artist Visa. My friend succeeded in extending her visa for 3 years, but the pandemic and rising costs prevented her from returning.
Still, her love for New York remains strong. I hope one day she’ll come back—and when she does, I’ll be ready to help her again.
