Who is Priya Kulkarni? Ex-Microsoft Techie Launches AI Startup to Simplify US Visa Process
Former Microsoft machine learning scientist Priyanka Kulkarni has launched Casium, an AI-powered startup that dramatically simplifies the complex US employment visa process. Drawing from her personal nine-year visa journey, Kulkarni built a platform that cuts application preparation time from months to under 10 business days.
Key Takeaways
- AI startup Casium reduces visa paperwork time from 3-6 months to under 10 days
- Platform handles end-to-end visa processing with high approval rates
- Founded by ex-Microsoft ML scientist with personal visa experience
- Offers free assessments and flat-fee filing services
How Casium’s AI Platform Transforms Visa Processing
Casium’s core product is an intelligent portal that enables employers to manage complete visa cases digitally, eliminating dependency on manual Excel processes and external law firms. The system is specifically designed to handle immigration volatility, including sudden policy changes like the proposed $100,000 H-1B fee during the Trump administration.
The startup has already assisted hundreds of candidates through assessments, compliance reviews, and actual filings, maintaining what it describes as an “exceptionally high approval rate.” The AI technology not only speeds up document collection but also identifies potential errors that could derail applications.
“After spending nine years on a visa myself, I wanted to bring speed and transparency to a system often mired in delays and confusion,” Kulkarni told Business Insider.
From Microsoft to Immigration Tech Pioneer
Priyanka Kulkarni’s journey began in India, where she earned a Computer Engineering degree from the University of Mumbai before completing a Master’s in Applied Mathematics at Johns Hopkins. She joined Microsoft directly after graduation on an H-1B visa, spending nearly a decade as a machine learning scientist shaping AI strategy for Office products.
Her personal experience with the H-1B system—which she describes as “exhausting, confusing, and at times can feel very career-limiting”—inspired her career shift. After securing a spot in the Ai2 Incubator’s 2024 cohort, she pursued an EB-1 “Einstein visa” for extraordinary abilities.
When asked on her first incubator day what she wanted to build, Kulkarni immediately answered: immigration technology. “Everything I’ve done,” she reflected, “has culminated to this point.”
Casium currently offers free initial assessments and charges flat fees based on visa type, with a subscription model in development according to Business Insider.
