Amid stricter US visa policies since early 2025, Indians are increasingly pursuing O-1 visas as an alternative pathway to their American dream. The O-1 visa, designed for individuals with extraordinary abilities in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics, offers a compelling alternative to the H-1B lottery system.

Indians secured 1,418 O-1A visas in FY23, making them the third-largest nationality after Great Britain and Brazil, up from just 487 in FY20. Overall O-1A approvals surged from 8,838 to 18,994 during this period, growing at nearly 10% annually.

STEM students, cybersecurity experts, researchers, and creative professionals are leading this shift. Companies like Google, Tesla, and McKinsey actively sponsor deserving candidates, despite costs ranging from $10,000-$30,000 compared to H-1B's $970-$7,775.