Indian entrepreneur Aryaman Behera, founder and CEO of RepelloHQ, has received approval for the O-1A visa, recognizing his extraordinary ability in the tech industry.
Indian entrepreneur Aryaman Behera, the founder and CEO of RepelloHQ, has successfully secured approval for the O-1A visa, a classification designated for individuals who demonstrate extraordinary ability in fields such as business, science, and technology.
Backed by General Catalyst, Behera announced the news on X, expressing a blend of pride and humor. He wrote, “O-1A approved Officially an ‘alien of extraordinary ability’. 3 years building @RepelloHQ – securing AI agents from an attacker’s perspective. Grateful to my team, customers, and everyone who believed before the path was clear. Back to work.”
His lighthearted reference to being an “alien of extraordinary ability” reflects the formal terminology used by U.S. immigration authorities for holders of the O-1 visa. Beneath the humor lies a significant achievement in a challenging immigration landscape.
The O-1A visa is typically awarded to founders, researchers, and executives who can demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim through various means, including awards, media coverage, funding, and measurable impact within their industry.
Immigration Attorney Johnson Myalil of High-Tech Immigration Law Group emphasized the strategic importance of the O-1A visa for highly accomplished individuals, including researchers, scientists, and senior-level engineers. He noted that while the O-1A is a viable option, it requires a higher level of evidentiary documentation compared to the H-1B visa and is more likely to elicit Requests for Evidence (RFEs). However, he also mentioned that the approval rate for O-1A visas is “relatively high.”
For Indian startup founders, navigating U.S. visa approvals has become increasingly complex. Recently, numerous Indian CEOs and tech entrepreneurs have publicly discussed the challenges of delays and rejections under the B-1/B-2 business visitor category, complicating their efforts to travel for fundraising, partnerships, and customer meetings in the United States.
In this context, Behera’s O-1A approval signifies more than just a routine clearance; it represents professional validation in a competitive immigration environment.
Behera established RepelloHQ three years ago, focusing on securing AI agents from an attacker’s perspective, a growing niche as businesses rapidly adopt artificial intelligence tools. With backing from General Catalyst and rising concerns surrounding AI security risks, his visa approval marks both a personal achievement and a broader recognition of Indian founders developing deep-tech solutions with global aspirations.
The O-1 visa, often informally referred to as America’s “genius visa,” is receiving renewed attention amid uncertainties surrounding the H-1B program. Recent data from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services indicates that O visa approvals reached approximately 39,000 in 2025, one of the highest figures in recent years. Immigration platform Beyond Border, which operates in the United States and Bengaluru, reports that approval rates for the O-1 category have consistently remained above 90 percent across different administrations.
Established under the Immigration Act of 1990, the O visa is a non-immigrant category for individuals who can demonstrate extraordinary ability in business, science, arts, education, or athletics. The O-1A classification specifically applies to those in science, education, business, or athletics.
Applicants must meet at least three of eight criteria, which may include nationally or internationally recognized awards, published material about their work, authorship of scholarly articles, or evidence of original contributions of major significance.
Unlike the H-1B visa, the O-1 does not operate under an annual lottery or numerical cap. It is generally granted for an initial period of up to three years and can be extended in one-year increments without a fixed limit. This structural flexibility, combined with relatively high approval rates, has made the O-1 category increasingly appealing to founders and highly skilled professionals navigating an unpredictable immigration climate.
Data from the U.S. Department of State shows a sharp increase in O-1A issuances in recent years, nearly doubling between fiscal year 2020 and fiscal year 2023. Indian nationals are among the fastest-growing groups in this category. In fiscal year 2023 alone, 1,418 O-1A visas were issued to Indians, up from 487 in fiscal year 2020, reflecting strong demand from STEM graduates, AI researchers, entrepreneurs, and artists seeking a more stable pathway to work in the United States.
In this broader context, Behera’s O-1A approval is indicative of a significant shift, as Indian founders and other highly skilled professionals increasingly pursue the extraordinary ability route to navigate the bottlenecks that have long characterized the H-1B system.
According to The American Bazaar, Behera’s achievement highlights the evolving landscape for Indian entrepreneurs in the U.S. tech industry.