An Indian-origin data analyst spent three years preparing and saving to pursue a master’s degree in the United States. After arriving in Chicago in 2022, he completed his studies and advanced from senior business analyst to manager of analytics at a healthcare firm. He entered the H-1B lottery three times without success. In response, he began preparing an O-1 visa application in June 2025, nearly a year before his work authorization expired. The process required demonstrating extraordinary ability through awards, publications, media coverage, and recommendation letters. He and his legal team compiled over 700 pages of evidence at a cost of $13,000. After a third H-1B rejection in March 2026 and a request for additional evidence on the O-1 petition, the visa was approved. He now leads a team of analysts focused on healthcare data.
