Indian Man at IBM Gets US O-1 Visa After 3 H-1B Rejections

An Indian professional working at IBM has been granted a coveted US O-1 visa—a category reserved for individuals with “extraordinary ability”—after facing rejection in the H-1B visa lottery three consecutive times.

Tanush Sharanarthi, a 26-year-old from Bengaluru, was repeatedly unsuccessful in the H-1B process, which relies on a lottery system to allocate limited slots. Instead of giving up, he pursued an O-1 visa by showcasing his expertise and contributions in the field of artificial intelligence.

The O-1 visa, unlike the H-1B, is not subject to an annual cap. It is awarded based on merit, requiring applicants to demonstrate distinguished achievements through published research, industry recognition, awards, or original contributions to their discipline.

Sharanarthi credited his approval to focusing on efforts within his control—working long hours, publishing research, building products, and forging collaborations in AI. His case highlights an alternative pathway for highly skilled professionals who struggle with the restrictive H-1B system.

The development comes at a time when many Indian tech workers face uncertainty over US work visas due to tougher rules and high demand. Immigration experts say Sharanarthi’s success underscores the value of merit-based visa categories such as the O-1, which can also open doors to permanent residency options like the EB-1.