By News18,Sahas Mahapatra

Copyright news18

An Indian man, Piyush Varanjani, is making headlines after securing an O-1 visa from the United States, a full decade after his first visit. Varanjani, who recently quit his job to focus on artificial intelligence, shared the news on X with a mix of excitement and humour.
“Got my O-1 approved! Time to build my own reality,” he wrote.
“After my mom, now it’s the US that thinks I am an individual of extraordinary ability,” he added, referring to the visa’s requirement for top talent in specialised fields.
From Stripe to Startups
Varanjani said his US journey began ten years ago with what he called a “fistful of dreams” and a pair of harem pants. He spent more than four years working at financial services firm Stripe before resigning in November 2024.
“A few months back, I left Stripe to go all in on AI, and now finally SF is the new home,” he said in his post, hinting at his plans to build a startup in San Francisco.

Got my O-1 approved! Time to build my own reality.
After my mom, now it’s US who thinks I am an individual of extraordinary ability.
I first came to the US almost a decade back with my harem pants and a fistful of dream. A few months back I left @stripe to go all in on AI, and… pic.twitter.com/bkvS2Gr0Kf
— Piyush (@42piyush) September 16, 2025

Since then, he has been dedicating himself to his own AI venture, though details about the project remain under wraps. He also promised to answer questions from followers about the O-1 visa process, which many in the tech and startup world see as a potential gateway to bigger opportunities in the US.
Varanjani’s comments section was filled with congratulatory messages, with many curious about his upcoming AI project and eager to learn more about the visa process that made his dream possible.
What Is the O-1 Visa?
The O-1 visa is a temporary work visa offered to individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary ability in fields such as science, arts, education, business, or athletics.
Unlike the H-1B visa, which requires sponsorship for specialised occupations, the O-1 is reserved for those who have reached the very top of their professions. This can be shown through national or international awards, published research, or significant contributions that set them apart from their peers.
There is no annual cap on O-1 visas. The initial stay is usually up to three years, with one-year extensions available as long as the individual continues work in their specialised field.