Laying the Groundwork for Your Application - Part 2

Hey there, extraordinary creative!

A massive thank you to the 180 amazing people who’ve joined us on this wild ride. I'm thrilled to have you along as we dive deeper into the O-1 journey!

In today’s edition, we’re focusing on three main things :

1. Answering your questions.

2. Journey and advice from another extraordincary creative!

3. Actionable advice to get your O1 Visa journey started.

Let’s get right to it!

Answer to your questions

Question : You mentioned O-1 and O-1B visas in your last newsletter. Are they different? Am I missing something?

The overall visa category for individuals with extraordinary abilities is the O-1 visa, that is divided into two main types:

• O-1A : This category is designed for professionals in science, technology, education, and business. It’s suited for engineers, researchers, or tech innovators who can demonstrate significant achievements—such as papers, publications, patents, or industry awards.

• O-1B : This is for creatives like designers, visual artists, and performers. If your work is in the arts, involving notable projects, exhibitions, or awards, then O-1B is likely your category.

For those working at the intersection, such as design engineers, it can be tricky to determine the best fit. For example, if you studied industrial design but work in a more technical role (or vice versa), finding the right category can be challenging. In these cases, consulting with an immigration lawyer can help clarify which path is most appropriate.

In these newsletters, I’ll focus on the O-1B, as that’s the visa I pursued. If you’re considering the O-1B, everything we cover should be relevant to your journey.

Journey and Advice from an O-1B Holder

Meet a fellow designer who dived into the O-1 visa process right after graduation. With a clear plan and a lot of grit, she managed to pull off a super impressive timeline. Here’s a quick rundown of her journey:

• Graduated with an MFA in Design in May 2023

• Started freelancing as a visual designer

• Began the O-1 visa process in December 2023, rigorously preparing her application

• Filed her premium O-1B application in June

• Received approval by mid-July — before her OPT expired — a timeline to be jealous of!

Building the Portfolio

For her, the portfolio was everything. She put together a mix of projects from her work in China and her U.S.-based achievements, pulling in awards and exhibitions that told a cohesive story. Every piece she included was carefully chosen to highlight her creative impact and unique contributions.

Facing the Challenges: Financial Planning and Reference Letters

Applying for the O-1 visa involves substantial costs—and the costs added up fast—attorney fees, awards, exhibition entries, you name it. One suggestion - Find a rightly priced lawyer, make sure they know the ins and outs and can keep you on priority throughout the process. Gathering strong reference letters is another challenge; having a few backups saved her when people couldn’t commit last minute. It’s a big ask, so plan ahead!

One Piece of Advice

Be your own curator. Organize your portfolio with care, tell a clear and compelling story, and make sure each piece reflects who you are and why your work stands out.

Actionable Advice to Kickstart Your O-1 Visa Journey

Once you’ve chosen the O-1B visa as your path, it’s time to gather everything that shows off your achievements. Start with what you already have, and we’ll build on it strategically.

Here’s your starting checklist:

1. Make a list of all the projects you’ve worked on, whether for a freelance client, a company, or yourself. Think of this as a timeline of your entire career, including every project, big or small. For each piece of work, begin gathering supporting materials.

• Press: Search for any newspaper articles (online or offline) or interviews where your work has been mentioned. Also, look for press where you, as an individual, were featured—consider yourself a project too!

• Publications: Look for any features of your work. Was your project ever highlighted on a design website? Even a quick mention counts—list it here.

• Awards & Recognition: Any industry award, nomination, or honorable mention can bolster your case, big or small. Collect certificates, photos, or official announcements to support each accolade.

• Exhibitions & Showcases: If your work has been displayed in exhibitions, events, or performances, gather evidence such as photos, programs, mentions, or other official materials. This demonstrates that your work is public-facing and valued.

• Authorship: If you've written about your work and built a readership, list all the articles you’ve published. This can add significant value to your profile.

2. Recommendation Letters
   Start reaching out to potential supporters now. Think about mentors, past employers, or colleagues who can speak to your influence. Letters from industry figures or well-known professionals in your field carry substantial weight.
   

3. Job Offer Letters
   If you’re applying through an employer, this part may already be covered. However, if you’re applying through an agent, you’ll need at least 2-3 job offer letters—these could include a full-time offer or a part-time contract letter. I’ll dive deeper into what these look like and how to approach gathering them as we break down each section.