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O1 is an inferior visa, so they are right that you should be trying for H1B before going for an O1. I'm assuming that you are on OPT or some other visa category. There is likely no advantage to getting an O1 in your current situation.

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> likely no advantage

Freedom to travel. Can't realistically renew F1.

Yeah, if your F1 expires before your OPT, it makes sense to try for an O1. It's a minor expense for the company. Escalate it through your management chain.

Seriously? I can't renew it? I'm just at the start of my OPT, I can't not visit home for 3 years ...

Well, in theory you can. In practice it gets rejected so often that it's not worth risking unless you have a solid backup plan.

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