Like most founders around the world, I had this dream—to one day work out of Silicon Valley.

Not just visit for a week or attend a conference, but actually build from there. Be in that environment. Ship from there. Compete from there.

Sitting in Bengaluru, it felt exciting… but also far away.

At some point, I realized the O-1A visa was the path. And the moment you start looking into it, you understand it’s not just another application. It’s detailed, subjective, and honestly a bit overwhelming if you’re doing it alone.

That’s when I decided to work with Deel.

From day one, they were just solid. No fluff, no confusion. Clear communication, quick responses, and a very structured way of moving things forward. I always knew what was happening and what was expected from me.

What I really appreciated was how hands-on they were. They didn’t just tell me what to do—they actually followed up, kept things moving, and made sure nothing slipped. Even with recommendation letters, they coordinated directly with the recommenders. That alone removed a huge amount of back-and-forth for me.

But the biggest thing? They’re thorough.

They think from the lens of USCIS. Every document, every claim, every detail is put together in a way that makes the application strong enough that it doesn’t invite unnecessary questions later. It’s not about just submitting—it’s about submitting it right the first time.

And when you’re dealing with something like an O-1A, that mindset matters a lot.

Looking back, the journey from Bengaluru to the U.S. feels very real now. The dream is no longer abstract.

I had the ambition, but execution needed the right team.

Deel made sure it actually happened.

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Raj Sahu

Founder and CEO at Utobo Inc.