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Nagendra Dhanakeerthi, the Indian tech entrepreneur and co-founder and CTO at AI Squared, recently made headlines by relocating to California on an O-1A visa, a visa category designated for individuals deemed to be “extraordinary” in their fields.
His achievement gains significance, especially amid the tightening of immigration rules under US President Donald Trump’s administration, which created a major storm in the US tech sector.
Recounting the challenges while obtaining the O-1A visa, Nagendra told The Wall Street Journal his winning answer that sealed his visa approval. When the visa authorities asked him, “Why do you think you are extraordinary?” Nagendra highlighted his contributions, including leading teams across multiple geographies and how his product was acquired by his company, AI Squared.
The “Why do you think you are extraordinary?” question posed by the US authorities demands all the O-1A aspirants to prove how their contributions to their fields distinguished them from their peers. With several Indian and foreign workers on the H-1B visa facing intense scrutiny, Nagendra’s O1-A visa success is a testament to his phenomenal achievements in the global tech industry.
However, obtaining the O-1A visa is quite expensive. The Wall Street Journal reported that Nagendra’s AI Squared spent a whopping $30,000 on the 6-month visa application process. The investment was mandatory to relocate Nagendra to California from Bengaluru. Nagendra’s relocation also signifies the importance of immigrant talent to America’s thriving tech industry that heavily relies on skilled immigrant professionals.
According to Darren Kimura, CEO of AI Squared, the company is currently processing another similar visa application for a Chief Customer Officer position, a role that is challenging to define within the constraints of the O-1A visa requirements.
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