It was late February when I found myself in a Google Meet call with Tomo, a Japanese entrepreneur with an O-1A visa. There are moments in a career when a single decision reshapes everything. For Tomoko Matsukawa, that moment came when she realized that her work—spanning leadership development, instructional design, and social impact—was too global to be confined by national borders. The question was not whether she belonged in the U.S. talent ecosystem, but how she would make it happen.
When we spoke, Tomoko was already deeply embedded in the world of leadership transformation. She had designed and implemented programs at UNICEF, co-led the expansion of Acumen’s Fellows Program across multiple countries, and developed global learning initiatives that brought together high-potential individuals from diverse industries. Yet, despite her track record, the challenge of securing an O-1A visa—the visa designated for individuals of “extraordinary ability”—was not just about proving her work was valuable. It was about proving that her expertise, her impact, was truly exceptional.
For professionals like Tomoko, the O-1A visa is both an opportunity and a gauntlet. Unlike other work visas, it does not require employer sponsorship, making it an ideal path for independent consultants, founders, and thought leaders. But the standards are high. The U.S. immigration system does not simply want proof of experience; it demands a narrative of excellence. It is not enough to be an expert—you must be an expert.
Tomoko knew that preparation was everything. She structured her case around key pillars: publications, leadership roles, judging experience, and impact. Her articles in Forbes Japan, her role as a judge for the Japan Network for Public Interest Activities (JANPIA), and her contributions to global talent development initiatives all served as foundational pieces of evidence. These were not just career highlights; they were signposts of influence.
Still, assembling the right documentation was only part of the challenge. The legal strategy mattered just as much. “I wanted a lawyer who would help me build my case, not just file paperwork,” she told me. “This process isn’t just about what you’ve done—it’s about how you present it.”
She consulted multiple immigration attorneys before settling on the right firm, one that understood the nuances of talent development and instructional design. Together, they crafted a petition that did not just meet the O-1A criteria but exceeded them. Her leadership in instructional design, her role in shaping global fellowship programs, her ability to mentor and coach top talent—every detail was woven into a compelling case for why she belonged in the U.S. entrepreneurial and social impact landscape.
The process was intense, but in the end, it paid off. Tomoko’s O-1A petition was approved, granting her the flexibility to continue her work across borders. When I asked her what she would have done differently, she was quick to reflect. “I would have started tracking my achievements much earlier,” she said. “I was doing the work, but I wasn’t always documenting it in a way that made it easy to compile later. If I had been more intentional about that from the beginning, it would have saved time and stress.”
Beyond her personal journey, Tomoko sees the O-1A visa process as a roadmap for others like her—entrepreneurs, coaches, social impact leaders who operate beyond a single country. “Start now,” she advises. “Every time you speak on a panel, every time you publish something, every time you take on a leadership role—document it. Build a portfolio of evidence that tells the story of your expertise.”
Tomoko’s story is not just about securing a visa. It is about the pursuit of work that transcends borders, about the belief that talent should not be restricted by geography. The O-1A process is difficult, but for those who navigate it successfully, it is proof not just of their expertise but of their commitment to global impact.
For Tomoko, the journey is far from over. The visa was never the destination. It was simply a way to ensure that her work, her leadership, and her vision could continue—wherever in the world they were needed most.