Indian AI founders increasingly using O-1 visas to enter US
Business
More Indian AI startup founders are heading to the US using O-1 visas, even though getting approved is getting tougher.
O-1 visa approvals for Indians have tripled since 2020, showing just how determined these entrepreneurs are to build global businesses despite stricter immigration rules.
Immigrant founders' impact on US tech
The O-1 visa is a game-changer compared to the usual H-1B—it's faster, not capped, and can lead to a green card in about a year.
That's why founders like Mansoor Rahimat Khan (Beatoven.ai) and Siddhant Mohan (Qodex) are choosing it.
Even with denial rates rising, the O-1's overall approval rate is nearly 94%.
Plus, around 60% of America's top AI companies have at least one immigrant founder, showing immigrants' significant role in US tech.