Influencers on the Rise as US Work Visas Shift Focus to Social Media Stars

A notable shift in the landscape of U.S. immigration is occurring as influencers, particularly those from platforms like OnlyFans, increasingly apply for work visas traditionally reserved for “extraordinary artists.” Immigration attorney Michael Wilde highlights this trend, noting a growing number of social media streamers seeking his expertise. “I knew the days of representing iconic names like Boy George and Sinéad O’Connor were over,” he remarked.

According to a recent article in the Financial Times, the number of influencers successfully obtaining the O-1B visa, designated for individuals with “exceptional” creative abilities, has surged since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Wilde pointed out that influencers now constitute a significant portion of his clientele, with social media metrics such as likes and subscriber counts serving as indicators of “exceptional ability.”

Changing Criteria for Artistic Recognition

Immigration lawyer Elektra Yao emphasized that the public is often easily impressed by large follower counts. “You don’t need to be a rocket scientist,” she stated. Furthermore, data shows that the number of O-1 visas granted each year—including both the O-1B for arts and O-1A for science, education, business, or athletics—has increased by over 50 percent from 2014 to 2024.

High follower counts can translate into revenue through brand endorsements, qualifying applicants under talent endorsement criteria. Fiona McEntee, founding partner of the McEntee Law Group, noted, “If you think about how many people are on social media every day and how few people actually make a living from it, it is really a skill.”

While many view this evolution as a positive change, others express concern about the implications for traditional artists. Protima Daryanani articulated fears that focusing on attention-based metrics might dilute the standards for artistic merit. “We have scenarios where people who should never have been approved are getting approved for O-1s,” she warned. “It’s been watered down because people are just meeting the categories.”

Influencers Making Headlines

The changing dynamics of social media have also led to some surprising success stories. Recently, Piper Rockelle, a teenager who began her OnlyFans career shortly after turning 18, revealed her impressive earnings on her first day. Rockelle, who gained fame on TikTok and YouTube with her channel, Piper’s Squad, boasts over 12 million followers. Her journey was featured in the 2025 Netflix documentary series, Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing, which explored issues of abuse and exploitation in the child influencer landscape.

On New Year’s Eve, Rockelle announced on social media her plans to launch her OnlyFans account the following day, generating significant buzz and showcasing the intersection of social media fame and traditional media scrutiny.

As the lines between artistic merit and social media influence continue to blur, the evolving criteria for U.S. visas reflect a broader cultural shift. This trend is likely to redefine the landscape for both emerging and established artists in the years to come.