An O-1A visa is initially valid for up to 3 years. After that, it can be extended indefinitely in one-year increments, as long as you continue to have a valid U.S. employer or agent and remain engaged in the same line of work.Many people later transition from O-1A to EB-1A, since the criteria are similar, though the EB-1A standard is higher.The visa remains valid only for the field of expertise under which it was granted. You cannot change to an entirely different profession while on the same O-1A. For example, an O-1A granted for artistic work does not allow you to switch to a developer role. The intent of the visa is to allow you to work in your demonstrated area of extraordinary ability, not to pivot into a new field.