Who is Vishen Lakhiani? Indian-Malaysian CEO stopped by FBI at US airport despite valid O-1 visa

Indian-Malaysian CEO of American company with O-1 visa stopped by FBI at Miami airport

Malaysian entrepreneur of Indian descent and Mindvalley CEO, Vishen Lakhiani, has claimed that he was stopped and questioned by the FBI upon arriving in the United States, despite holding an O-1 visa reserved for individuals with “extraordinary ability.”

In an Instagram post, Lakhiani said he was detained by two FBI agents at Miami International Airport and asked to provide personal information, including his WhatsApp number and social media handles.

“I arrived in America and got stopped by the FBI at the airport even though I have an O-1 visa, which is a visa for people of extraordinary talent," he wrote.

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Lakhiani, who is of Indian descent, expressed concern over the broader political climate in the U.S., adding, “I really can’t wait for the next election because what’s happening in America right now is insane. The fearmongering, the xenophobia, the blaming of immigrants by politicians with no ideas on how to truly make a country great."

He emphasized his contributions to the American economy, stating, “For the record, I’m the CEO of an American company with 230 employees globally and have been paying American taxes for 22 years.” Lakhiani also posted a video of the encounter, calling the experience “disheartening.”

Born in Malaysia to Indian parents, Vishen Lakhiani is the founder of Mindvalley, a global personal development platform offering courses on mindfulness, wellness, and leadership. Before establishing Mindvalley, Lakhiani worked in the corporate tech sector in the U.S. During the dot-com crash, he turned to meditation, which he credits with transforming his performance.

“As I embraced meditation, my performance skyrocketed… I became the top performer, earned three promotions, and eventually became Director of Sales," he told Gulf News.

Lakhiani registered Mindvalley in 2004, initially selling meditation CDs online. Over time, he grew it into a global platform focused on personal growth, mindfulness, and leadership, impacting thousands of individuals worldwide.