Archive · 16 Aug 2026
Karnataka-Born Tech Founder Becomes US Citizen After Visa Struggles
A man named Saiman Shetty came from a small village in India to live in America.
He arrived as a student with very little money and no friends to help him.
Life in his new country was hard, and he faced debt and many job rejections.
He also struggled with visa problems and very long waiting times.
He even lost the H-1B visa lottery, which is like a lucky draw for work permits.
Some people he once knew told the American government he was a fraud, which could have caused him serious trouble.
But when the officials checked, the accusations turned out to be untrue.
In the end, America's immigration system gave him a fair result, and he became an American citizen.
He says America did not welcome him with a red carpet, but he kept working hard.
He now encourages other immigrants to stay patient and follow the law while he keeps helping them.
Saiman Shetty, a tech entrepreneur born in Karnataka, India, has become a United States citizen after years of immigration challenges.
He arrived in the US as a financially struggling international student with no friends, support system or backup plan.
His journey included debt, job rejections, visa uncertainty, immigration backlogs and losing the H-1B visa lottery.
A group of individuals allegedly submitted false fraud claims against him to USCIS, which he said nearly caused serious immigration consequences.
The allegations were found baseless; Shetty, who has helped more than 300 immigrants, urges others to stay patient and follow the law.
- Who
- Saiman Shetty, a tech entrepreneur and founder born in Karnataka, India, who previously worked at Tesla and Lyft.
- What
- Became a United States citizen after years of visa struggles, career setbacks and a false fraud complaint submitted to USCIS.
- When
- Recently, as announced by Shetty on Instagram; the articles do not give a specific date.
- Where
- United States — Shetty was born in a small village in Karnataka, India, and previously worked in Silicon Valley.
- Why
- The false fraud allegations were found baseless and the US immigration system delivered a fair outcome; Shetty wants to inspire and advocate for other immigrants.
- Name
- Saiman Shetty
- Birthplace
- Small village in Karnataka, India
- Citizenship
- United States citizen
- Education
- Engineering degree at Visvesvaraya Technological University; master's at Arizona State University
- Career
- Intern at BSNL; worked at Tesla and Lyft; launched his own company in 2023
- Visa History
- Lost H-1B visa lottery; faced lengthy backlogs; supports F-1, H-1B, O-1 and L-1 visa holders and green card applicants
- Allegations
- False fraud claims submitted to USCIS by a group of individuals
- Community Impact
- More than 300 immigrants assisted by Shetty expected to reach similar milestones
