O-1 can be difficult to get as a corporate employee, because the criteria are about extraordinary ability rather than career success. You have to show that you

O-1 can be difficult to get as a corporate employee, because the criteria are about extraordinary ability rather than career success. You have to show that you are more than the sum of your experiences. That you have individual achievements beyond what can be reasonably expected from a successful professional. That's obviously easier in fields based on building an individual brand. On the other hand, if your best works are somebody else's trade secrets, can you really demonstrate that you are exceptional?