Priya Kulkarni, once a Machine Learning Scientist at Microsoft, is now the founder of an AI startup called Casium — a platform designed to simplify the complex U.S. employment-based visa process.
Having lived in the U.S. for nine years on a visa, Priya personally experienced how slow, confusing, and stressful the system can be. That frustration became her motivation: “to bring speed and transparency to an otherwise tangled process.”
What Is Casium?
Casium is an AI-powered online platform where employers can manage visa cases entirely digitally. Tasks that once required Excel sheets, countless emails, and law firm coordination can now be done with just a few clicks.
The system automates every step of the visa process — from Assessment and Compliance Review to Filing — making it faster and more reliable.
Casium has already assisted hundreds of visa applicants, boasting a remarkably high approval rate. Its standout feature, AI Error Detection, automatically spots mistakes in documentation, reducing human error significantly.
How Much Time Does Casium Save?
Traditional visa filing can take 3–6 months, but Casium’s AI technology shortens that to just 10 business days.
The platform offers a free initial assessment and charges a flat fee depending on visa type for the rest of the process. Casium is also moving toward a subscription-based model to serve businesses more efficiently.
How Does Casium Work?
Casium was designed to handle the unpredictability of immigration systems. For instance, during the Trump administration, when a proposal surfaced to impose a $100,000 fee on new H-1B applications, a tool like Casium could help employers adapt swiftly to such changes.
By using AI and data analytics, Casium manages visa complexities in real time, providing reliable solutions for both employers and visa applicants.
Who Is Priya Kulkarni?
Born and raised in India, Priya earned her Bachelor’s in Computer Engineering from the University of Mumbai and later completed a Master’s in Applied Mathematics from Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering.
Soon after, she joined Microsoft under an H-1B visa, where she spent nearly a decade working on machine learning and enterprise AI strategy.
The Turning Point
While at Microsoft, Priya realized how frustratingly rigid and time-consuming the U.S. visa system could be. “The process can be so tangled that it often stalls career growth,” she said.
Later, as part of the 2024 Ai2 Incubator cohort in Seattle, Priya applied for an EB-1 visa — also known as the “Einstein Visa.” The three-month ordeal she faced working with multiple law firms further convinced her that the immigration process desperately needed innovation.
How Casium Was Born
On her first day at the incubator, when asked, “What do you want to build?”, Priya’s answer was clear:
“I want to build immigration technology.”
That moment marked the birth of Casium. For Priya, AI shouldn’t be limited to chatbots or image generators — it should solve real human problems, like navigating complex visa applications.
Casium’s Impact and Future Vision
Casium’s mission goes beyond the United States. The company plans to expand its technology to other countries’ work visa and immigration systems as well.
Next, Casium aims to use AI to analyze and prevent visa rejections, partnering with consultancies and government agencies to bring more transparency to the process.
Conclusion
Priya Kulkarni’s journey isn’t just the story of an AI startup — it’s the story of turning personal struggle into global innovation. By digitizing one of the world’s most complex bureaucratic systems, she has created a tool that could simplify life for millions of professionals.
Casium is proof that when technology is used with purpose, it can be more than just a product — it can be a force for real change.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is a startup?
A startup is a new business venture built around an innovative idea that solves a problem, often using technology.
2. What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)?
AI is technology that enables machines to think, learn, and act like humans.
3. Who gets an H-1B visa?
It’s a visa granted to individuals with specialized skills to work in U.S.-based companies.
4. What is an EB-1 visa?
Also known as the “Einstein Visa,” it’s for people who have demonstrated extraordinary ability in their field.
5. What is an incubator?
An incubator provides funding, mentorship, and resources to help new startups grow and succeed.
