Now Reading: Indian man rejected thrice for H-1B, wins O-1 visa
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Indian man rejected thrice for H-1B, wins O-1 visa
Sohan Sethi, 29, an Indian-origin business analyst in Chicago, has secured an O-1 visa after being rejected three times in the H-1B lottery. Born and raised in Mumbai, Sethi spent $13,000 on…
The Story in Brief
Sohan Sethi, 29, an Indian-origin business analyst in Chicago, has secured an O-1 visa after being rejected three times in the H-1B lottery. Born and raised in Mumbai, Sethi spent $13,000 on lawyers and compiled over 700 pages of evidence to prove his “extraordinary ability” in data analytics. His STEM OPT was due to expire in July 2026, leaving him just 100 days to find a legal pathway. The O-1 visa, unlike the H-1B, has no lottery or annual cap.
Sethi arrived in the US in 2022 for a master’s at the University of Illinois Chicago. He entered the H-1B lottery in 2023, 2024, and 2025, losing each time. After the second rejection, he began preparing for the O-1 visa: winning awards, publishing articles, and judging industry events. In March 2026, he was rejected a third time. He filed his O-1 petition in April 2026, faced a Request for Evidence, and eventually received approval. Times of India reports that he shared his journey on LinkedIn to guide others.
The Indian Opinion
The tales of H-1B rejections often spark a familiar debate: are US policies unfairly targeting Indians, or are applicants overstaying their welcome? Sohan Sethi’s story cuts through the noise. He spent $13,000 and assembled 700 pages of proof, not out of entitlement but because no other country offers his field the same opportunity. The real test is whether the O-1 visa, with its high bar, will become the new normal for Indian talent. Or will the US keep losing the best to Canada and the UK? The numbers on O-1 approvals in the coming year will tell.
Sources (2): ndtv.com, timesofindia.indiatimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
