Indian AI scientist Priyanka Kulkarni’s startup Casium uses AI to simplify the U.S. visa process, bringing speed, accuracy, and transparency to immigration.
Navigating the United States’ complicated visa process has long been a challenge for foreign professionals. But a 34-year-old Indian machine learning scientist, Priyanka Kulkarni, has turned her personal immigration journey into an innovative solution that could transform the system.
After spending nine years working in the U.S. on a visa, Kulkarni decided to use artificial intelligence to streamline employment-based immigration. Her startup, Casium, is redefining how employers and applicants handle visa procedures — from documentation to legal compliance — with a tech-first approach.
A Digital Fix for a Paper-Based System
According to Business Insider, Casium offers employers a digital portal that manages visa cases end-to-end, replacing outdated spreadsheets and minimizing reliance on expensive law firms. The platform is especially useful in an evolving policy environment, such as when the Trump administration introduced a $100,000 fee for new H-1B visa applications — a move that sparked lawsuits from major business organizations.
Casium’s AI-driven system brings speed, accuracy, and transparency to the traditionally slow immigration process. The platform has already assisted hundreds of applicants with visa assessments, compliance checks, and filings — achieving an impressive approval rate. Some users reportedly transitioned from application to employment in under a month.
Backed by Top Investors
Founded in 2024, Casium recently raised $5 million in seed funding led by Maverick Ventures, with participation from AI2 Incubator, GTMfund, Success Venture Partners, and Jake Heller, the founder of Casetext (acquired by Thomson Reuters in 2023).
How Casium Works
Applicants begin by completing an intake form. Casium’s intelligent “agents” then analyze public data sources — such as research papers and patents — to build a detailed professional profile. Within minutes, the system generates a dossier, which is reviewed by independent lawyers and paralegals to determine the most suitable visa category, including H-1B, O-1, or EB-1A.
With a single click, the platform can produce a draft attorney letter outlining the applicant’s eligibility. Casium claims this process cuts preparation time from months to just ten business days, while also reducing costly human errors that can delay approvals.
From Microsoft to Founder
Born and raised in India, Priyanka Kulkarni began her career at Microsoft, where she spent nearly a decade developing AI strategies for flagship products like Microsoft Office — all while on an H-1B visa.
“Honestly, it was exhausting, confusing, and at times, very career-limiting,” she told Business Insider. These personal struggles became the motivation behind Casium.
In 2024, Kulkarni joined Seattle’s AI2 Incubator and applied for the prestigious EB-1 visa, often called the “Einstein visa,” granted to individuals with extraordinary abilities. Reflecting on her journey, she said, “Everything I’ve done has culminated to this point.”
A New Chapter for Immigration Tech
Through Casium, Kulkarni is demonstrating how AI can modernize even the most bureaucratic systems, empowering global talent and easing the path for future innovators. As the U.S. continues to attract international professionals, Casium’s tech-driven model could mark the beginning of a more transparent and efficient immigration era.
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