O-1A or O-1B Which Visa Works for Designers.pdf

Wondering if your design career qualifies under O-1A (business/technical) or O-1B (arts)? Our infographic explains the difference for UX, Product, Graphic, Fashion, Industrial, Animation, Interior, and Architecture designers.

At Casium Immigration, we specialize in helping designers and creative professionals showcase their achievements to USCIS—turning recognition into strong, persuasive petitions.

Your design career deserves a global stage. | Connect with us today at [email protected] and let Casium Immigration guide your O-1 journey.

1. Industrial Design → O-1B (mostly)
International awards (Red Dot, IDEA, iF
Design)
Press features & exhibitions (Salone del
Mobile, Cooper Hewitt)
Patents → could qualify for O-1A
(science/innovation focus)
Animation / Motion Design → O-1B
Festival awards (Annecy, Sundance)
Media reviews & expert praise
Hollywood/TV animators → Higher
standard: “extraordinary achievement
2. UX & Product Design
Graphic Design → O-1B
Design awards (AIGA, TDC, Poster
Biennale)
Exhibitions & press coverage
Roles with high-profile clients or studios
Fashion Design → O-1B
Runway shows (NY, Paris, Milan)
Features in Vogue, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar
Celebrity clients & industry awards
O-1A or O-1B? Which Visa
Works for Designers
www.casium.com
1. Understanding the O-1 Visa
3. Graphic & Fashion Design
4. Industrial & Animation Design
UX/UI Designers → O-1B (Arts)
Portfolio of creative interfaces
Recognition via press, awards (e.g.,
Webby, Awwwards)
Expert endorsements & industry
impact
Product Design → O-1B or O-1A
O-1B: Creative excellence, design
awards (Red Dot, iF Design)
O-1A: If focused on strategy, patents,
research, business innovation
5. Interior Design & Architecture
Interior Design → O-1B
Awards (Interior Design “Best of
Year”, ASID)
Features in Architectural Digest,
Elle Decor
High-profile projects & luxury clients
Architecture → O-1A or O-1B
O-1B: Creative awards, design
competitions, Biennale exhibitions
O-1A: Technical research, patents,
sustainable design innovations
Architects stand at the art–science
crossroads
6. Key Takeaway
O-1B → Best for designers proving
artistic acclaim
O-1A → Best for designers proving
technical/business innovation
Your petition depends on how your
achievements are framed.
With expert guidance, your career
story can align with the visa path
that fits best.
O-1A → For science, education,
business, or athletics
O-1B → For arts, motion pictures &
TV
Designers often fall in-between →
choice depends on whether your
work is seen as creative or
technical/business.