Never Set Foot in the U.S., Yet Still Earned an O-1 Visa

OpenSphere Legal Operations

19th November 2025

Introduction

At OpenSphere, we often hear one fear repeated by founders across the world:

"My achievements are all outside the U.S… will that be enough for an O-1A visa?"

Now, we’re proud to share a story that answers that question with a resounding yes.

An Indian startup founder who had never visited the United States, not even on a tourist visa, has secured a 3-year O-1A approval through OpenSphere. His entire career, every accomplishment, and every leadership milestone was earned in India. And still, he qualified as an individual of extraordinary ability.

This approval isn’t just a personal win. It’s a message to global founders:

Extraordinary work speaks for itself - when you document it, structure it, and tell the story right.

Building an O-1A Case Without U.S. Presence

The O-1A visa demands proof that you are among the small percentage at the top of your field. For many applicants, this includes U.S. roles, American press, or participation in U.S.-based organizations.

But this founder had none of that.

No U.S. clients.

No U.S. media.

No previous U.S. travel history.

What he did have was:

A strong salary documentation along with equity records
A track record of creating impactful services
Leadership roles in fast-growing companies in India
Well-documented projects
Recognition within India’s tech ecosystem

OpenSphere’s job was to take this entirely India-based body of work and build a compelling, USCIS-ready narrative around its global significance.

Building an O-1A Case Without U.S. Presence

But this founder had none of that.

No U.S. clients.

No U.S. media.

No previous U.S. travel history.

What he did have was:

A strong salary documentation along with equity records
A track record of creating impactful services
Leadership roles in fast-growing companies in India
Well-documented projects
Recognition within India’s tech ecosystem

OpenSphere’s job was to take this entirely India-based body of work and build a compelling, USCIS-ready narrative around its global significance.

Table of Content

How OpenSphere Structured the Winning Case

Deep Evidence Mining & Documentation

The founder had years of achievements, but none of them organized for immigration purposes.

Our AI-driven evidence engine and legal review team helped him extract, categorize, and present everything from impact metrics to measurable outcomes.

The strength wasn’t in U.S. visibility - it was in proof, clarity, and consistency.

Crafting a Global Narrative

We built a narrative around a simple truth:

Extraordinary ability isn’t defined by geography.

USCIS doesn’t require U.S. accomplishments, it requires extraordinary ones. So we demonstrated how he created measurable business results, his innovations surpassed India, and his expertise was highly sought-after.

This positioned him as a global talent and not just an Indian founder.

A New Beginning And a Bigger Message

This approval is more than a visa, it’s a reminder that global talent is global talent. You do not need U.S. exposure to be extraordinary.

If you’re a founder or innovator building impact in India, China, Nigeria, Brazil, Singapore - or anywhere - your achievements matter. And with the right documentation and strategy, the O-1A can be your launchpad.

Ready to See if Your Profile Qualifies?

Start your free O-1A visa evaluation with OpenSphere today!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Does having no U.S. work history make an O-1A case weaker?

Not necessarily. USCIS evaluates the impact of your work, not where it happened. If your contributions have measurable significance, geography doesn’t limit eligibility.

2. How important is documentation for someone applying from outside the U.S.?

Extremely. When all achievements are foreign-based, clear, well-organized evidence becomes the backbone of the case and replaces the visibility U.S. experience might otherwise provide.

3. Can a founder qualify if their achievements come from a country with a smaller tech ecosystem?

Yes. USCIS cares about excellence relative to your field, not the size of your market. Strong metrics and third-party validation matter more than location.

4. How does OpenSphere verify the credibility of foreign achievements?

We map every accomplishment to verifiable sources - industry reports, product analytics, organizational records, expert letters, and external benchmarks to establish legitimacy.

5. Can someone still qualify if they haven't won major awards or been in the media?

Absolutely. Many O-1A cases rely on leadership roles, original contributions, impact metrics, patents, speaking engagements, or judging work instead of press recognition.

6. How does OpenSphere build a future itinerary for the agent route if the applicant isn't yet in the U.S.?

We work with vetted U.S. agents and help curate a compliant list of future projects, advisory roles, consulting engagements, and collaborations that align with the applicant’s expertise.

7. Does USCIS view foreign recommendation letters differently?

Foreign letters are fully valid, as long as the experts are credible, recognized leaders in the field, and can clearly explain the applicant’s influence in measurable terms.

8. Is the agent route riskier than having a direct U.S. employer?

It’s not riskier - just more documentation-heavy. As long as project itineraries and contracts are clear and compliant, USCIS treats the agent route as fully legitimate.

9. What’s the biggest mistake founders make when applying from abroad?

Waiting until the last minute. Strong O-1A cases come from months or years of evidence organization like impact tracking, testimonials, contracts, metrics, and leadership records.