Navigating O1 visa as a Product Designer

Mitchell Hou
Bootcamp
Published in
10 min readAug 28, 2024

Navigating the O-1 visa process can be a daunting yet rewarding journey for product designers seeking to showcase their unique skills and innovative ideas in the United States. Usually last for 3 years but you can renew it indefinitely based on your works in the U.S.. Unfortunately, there aren’t many resources available online specifically tailored to help product designers navigate this type of visa. This article aims to fill that gap, drawing from my own/friends experiences as I work through the complexities of the application process. Currently, I am also in the process of applying for the EB-1 green card, and once this journey is complete, I will share insights for that as well. But today, let’s focus on the O-1 visa and how you can successfully leverage your talents to enhance your chances of approval.

As for my background, I am currently a senior product designer at Tia. However, at the time of my O-1 visa application, I had not yet reached this senior level. At Tia, I had received a couple of awards and notable press related to my work, along with a competitive salary that reflects my standing in the industry. Why do I mention this? The O-1 visa is a prestigious non-immigrant visa that requires candidates to demonstrate a high level of achievement in their field, adding some challenges to the application process.

According to the official requirements for the O-1 visa, there are several key qualifications you must meet, including:

  • Documentation of the beneficiary’s receipt of nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence in the field of endeavor;
  • Documentation of the beneficiary’s membership in associations in the field for which classification is sought, which require outstanding achievements of their members, as judged by recognized national or international experts in their disciplines or fields;
  • Published material in professional or major trade publications or major media about the beneficiary, relating to the beneficiary’s work in the field for which classification is sought, which must include the title, date, and author of such published material, and any necessary translation;
  • Evidence of the beneficiary’s participation on a panel, or individually, as a judge of the work of others in the same or in an allied field of specialization for which classification is sought;
  • Evidence of the beneficiary’s original scientific, scholarly, or business-related contributions of major significance in the field;
  • Evidence of the beneficiary’s authorship of scholarly articles in the field, in professional journals, or other major media;
  • Evidence that the beneficiary has been employed in a critical or essential capacity for organizations and establishments that have a distinguished reputation; or
  • Evidence that the beneficiary has either commanded a high salary or will command a high salary or other remuneration for services, as evidenced by contracts or other reliable evidence.

USCIS Checklist for O1 Visa: https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-2-part-m-chapter-4#S-E

This list might feels intimidating, but you only need to qualify three of them to be qualified for O1 visa. I will now provide you now to prepare some of these evidences that either I/my friends have previously used as our cases.

Documentation of the beneficiary’s receipt of nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence in the field of endeavor;

This one is probably the most convenient one to qualify as there are many design awards that you can apply all year round. If you are an ambitious designer that really put yourself out there, this one probably is the easiest to qualify. I personally have awards from International Design Awards, Paris Design Awards, Creative Communication Awards, Graphis New Talent Awards, and UX Design Awards. Some other awards that are also really outstanding but I personally haven’t applied before are Red Dot Awards, iF Design Awards, Indigo Design Awards, and the Webby Awards.

If you have a specific timeline for your O-1 visa application, it’s crucial to strategically apply for awards that will announce their results within that timeframe. This careful planning can be the difference between meeting the visa requirements and potentially delaying your application.

My company sponsored some of the award fee for me, and you should ask too! Be proactive when you applying those awards (if you are not a freelancer) with your company, they might be willing to help you with the award fee if they see values in them as well.

However, there is one crucial note to keep in mind regarding awards that may affect your O-1 visa application: your award certification must clearly display your name, or your name should be documented somewhere in connection with the award show. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is extremely particular about distinguishing whether the award was achieved by you individually or represents a collective team effort. I have heard of cases where applicants received rejection letters from USCIS because they failed to establish that the awards were directly tied to their own accomplishments rather than being associated with their company’s efforts.

To avoid this pitfall, it is essential to ensure that any recognition you apply for clearly attributes the achievement to you. Verify that your name appears on the award certificates, program listings, or official announcements. This attention to detail can significantly impact your application’s success and help you present a strong case for your extraordinary ability as a product designer.

Documentation of the beneficiary’s membership in associations in the field for which classification is sought, which require outstanding achievements of their members, as judged by recognized national or international experts in their disciplines or fields;

This one is another one that comes accessible that most of my friends have no problems obtaining. based on USCIS’S list of membership associations, One Club for Creativity and AIGA are two great memberships to obtain for product designers. You would need a professional membership from these associations, I believe they are probably around $120 yearly, and you would need to ask for O1 consultation letter and provide your portfolio and CV for them to review. This process adds another layer of costs and administrative effort that you’ll need to factor into your planning. I have found a dedicated site for AIGA regarding their O1 policy, but I haven’t found any resources from One Club yet, you might have to reach out to their membership service to ask for more details.

USCIS List of Associations: https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-2-part-m-chapter-4#S-E

AIGA Letter of Opinion: https://www.aiga.org/resources/h1b-and-o1-work-visa-application-letters

If you are also planning to apply for the EB-1 green card later on, it’s important to understand that the membership qualifications for EB-1 visa are significantly more stringent than those for the O-1 visa. While associations like One Club for Creativity and AIGA can enhance your O-1 application, they may not suffice for the EB-1 category unless you hold a prominent position, such as a chapter leader or a similar role within the organization.

In order to achieve EB1 membership qualification, I would suggest you look into membership like International Associations for Designers, and all others that are invitation based or have strict selection processes.

Published material in professional or major trade publications or major media about the beneficiary, relating to the beneficiary’s work in the field for which classification is sought, which must include the title, date, and author of such published material, and any necessary translation;

Again, another category that if you are a designer that really put yourself out there, this one can easily qualify. But if you have never done press before, I have some tips as well.

Some award shows have award books that count as press evidences, like Creative Communication Awards, Graphis Awards. And some of them would select award winners for interview, which also count as press evidences. While it may take time and effort to prepare submissions, these awards provide a critical means to showcase your skills and achievements on a recognized platform. Successfully earning accolades not only bolsters your portfolio but also establishes your presence as a highly skilled foreign designer capable of delivering significant value to the U.S. design landscape.

But if you don’t want to apply for awards and it is not something you feel comfortable doing so (which I understand. I have many friends who dislike award shows), you could submit your works to design magazines like Communication Arts, It’s Nice That, the Brand Identity, Design Milk, and many others.

When it comes to collecting press evidence for your O-1 visa application, it’s important to note that posts on social media platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn generally carry less weight unless they have garnered significant traffic or engagement. USCIS tends to favor traditional media sources such as newspapers, magazines, television, and radio, which are viewed as more credible and authoritative forms of recognition.

To enhance your chances of meeting this criterion, focus on expanding your professional network and finding connections within reputable media outlets. Engaging with journalists, bloggers, and influencers in the design industry can help you gain visibility and potentially lead to features in more prestigious publications.

Evidence of the beneficiary’s participation on a panel, or individually, as a judge of the work of others in the same or in an allied field of specialization for which classification is sought;

I personally don’t have any experience with this category, but I have friends who have used it as evidences as they were on the jury team for some award shows like Type Direction Club, and Awwwards.

If you aspire to fulfill this requirement, consider actively engaging with relevant design organizations, attending industry events, and contributing to discussions in your area of specialization. By doing so, you can position yourself to be invited as a jury member or panelist in future award shows, thus adding another credential to your O-1 visa application.

Evidence of the beneficiary’s original scientific, scholarly, or business-related contributions of major significance in the field;

The requirement for evidence of original scientific, scholarly, or business-related contributions of major significance in the field can be one of the more challenging criteria to meet for the O-1 visa application. This typically involves having created your own product from scratch that has made a tangible impact on the industry or holding a patent directly related to product design. (If you have any such accomplishments, please share them — I’d love to see your innovative work!)

I understand that many of the readers of this article may be working within startups or tech companies, where creating entirely original products or obtaining patents may not be so common. However, if you believe you possess evidence that fits this category — such as significant contributions to a project that transformed workflows or user experiences — it’s worth bringing this to an immigration lawyer and they can better help you determine your evidence with O1 visa requirements.

Evidence of the beneficiary’s authorship of scholarly articles in the field, in professional journals, or other major media;

I personally have not utilized scholarly articles as evidence in my application, or known of anyone that have used it. However, if you have authored articles related to product or UI/UX design in reputable publications, such as the Harvard Business Review or similar high-profile journals, these could serve as valuable assets for your case. The key is to ensure that your contributions are recognized by industry leaders and are relevant to your field.

If you haven’t yet explored writing for professional journals, consider this a potential avenue for showcasing your expertise. Engaging in thought leadership by publishing scholarly articles can not only strengthen your application but also establish you as a credible voice within the industry.

When compiling evidence for your application, make sure to include any relevant pieces you’ve authored, even if they are not strictly scholarly, as long as they reflect your expertise and influence in the field.

Evidence that the beneficiary has been employed in a critical or essential capacity for organizations and establishments that have a distinguished reputation;

This one is very interesting and I have used it for my case. How? Currently, I am the only product designer at Tia, and my role involves delivering designs for multiple engineering teams while collaborating closely with multiple product managers. The work I do is crucial to our business, as I am responsible for designing an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) app used by clinical doctors to document patient information, as well as a member portal that allows patients to book appointments and check their care plans.

To summarize this criterion, you might think of it this way: If you were to leave your organization tomorrow, would that organization face difficulties? It is a funny way to put it but it is how USCIS see this category.

It’s important to consult with an immigration attorney to assess how your position is viewed within the organization. They can provide guidance on how to present your contributions effectively and determine whether your role satisfies the stringent requirements set by USCIS.

Evidence that the beneficiary has either commanded a high salary or will command a high salary or other remuneration for services, as evidenced by contracts or other reliable evidence.

For this category, I wouldn’t be worried if you work in tech startups or the top tech companies, as they often pay you pretty well and often reach the top 10% salary in your area.

But be very mindful when you present your salary and remuneration in your case, I have seen people receive rejection letter as they are pulling salary data from a different state, or US vs regional. For instance, if you work in New York City, make sure your salary data reflects comparable positions within the city itself. Using salary figures from New Jersey or other regions can undermine your case.

Another common pitfall I’ve observed is when individuals pull salary data for roles that are not directly aligned with their title. For example, comparing salaries for an Art Director versus a Graphic Designer can lead to inaccurate representations of your earning potential.

US government has an official site to check salary — Bureau of Labor Statistics, on that site it has everything that you need to learn about your regional salary and pay scale for your positions. It is probably the most credential reference for your salary compares to sites like Indeed or LinkedIn.

Lastly, for my case, I spent around 3 months to gather all of the evidences that I needed for my lawyer to review. We paid for the premium process fee as my OPT Stem was about to expire. We were waiting around a month and received the letter of confirmation. This whole journey was a huge load of work on top of my day to day job, but it was extremely rewarding afterwards. And if you want to apply for EB1 later on, this is a great first step as the criteria between the two are quite similar.

If you find this article useful, you can buy me a coffee.

If you want to chat more, feel free to book me through ADPList.

Written from Brooklyn 🌆

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Bootcamp
Bootcamp

Published in Bootcamp

From idea to product, one lesson at a time. Bootcamp is a collection of resources and opinion pieces about UX, UI, and Product. To submit your story: https://tinyurl.com/bootspub1

Mitchell Hou
Mitchell Hou

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