Landing a U.S. visa reserved for the world’s brightest minds is no small feat—just ask Piyush Varanjani. An Indian entrepreneur is celebrating a major milestone: securing the coveted O-1 visa for individuals of “extraordinary ability” in the United States. Varanjani took to social media to share the news, marking a decade-long journey that began with a suitcase of dreams and, in his words, “harem pants.”
“Got my O-1 approved! Time to build my own reality,” Varanjani wrote on X.
“After my mom, now it’s the US that recognizes me as someone of extraordinary ability.”
The O-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa granted to people who have achieved exceptional recognition in fields like science, business, arts, education, or athletics. Unlike the H-1B visa, which allows professionals to work in specialty occupations, the O-1 is reserved for those at the top of their field, demonstrating national or international acclaim.
For Varanjani, that field is artificial intelligence (AI). After spending over four years at Stripe, he resigned in November 2024 to fully focus on his own AI startup. “A few months back I left Stripe to go all in on AI, and now finally SF (San Francisco) is the new home,” he said in his post.
The social media response was overwhelmingly positive, with friends, colleagues, and fellow tech enthusiasts flooding the comments section with congratulations. Varanjani even offered to answer questions for others curious about the O-1 visa process.
What is the O-1 Visa?
The O-1 visa is a special non-immigrant visa that allows individuals with extraordinary talent or achievement in fields such as science, arts, education, business, or athletics to live and work in the United States. It is designed for people who have earned significant recognition through national or international awards, published work, or notable contributions to their field.
Unlike many other U.S. work visas, the O-1 has no annual cap. Typically, it is granted for an initial period of up to three years, with the possibility of extending in one-year increments as long as the individual continues work in their area of expertise.
To qualify, applicants generally need to meet at least three of eight rigorous criteria, which can include prestigious awards, significant publications, original contributions to their field, or recognition at an international level. The O-1 visa also offers flexibility compared to other work visas: no minimum salary or formal degree is required, and accomplishments like international awards or media recognition can strengthen the application.
For Varanjani, the investment and effort have paid off. With the O-1 visa in hand, he’s ready to chase ambitious AI dreams and carve out a new chapter of innovation in the U.S., proving that extraordinary ability—sometimes coupled with a decade of determination—truly opens doors.
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