Subhechcha Ganguly 
After 14 years of navigating the complexities of the American visa system, Indian researcher Rajavasanth Rajasegar has finally secured permanent residency in the United States.
In a reflective LinkedIn post, Rajasegar detailed the hurdles, milestones, and support that shaped his path from arriving in August 2011 on an F-1 visa for a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to becoming a tenure-track faculty member at the Colorado School of Mines in 2024.
His journey included F-1 renewals, OPT with STEM extension, a cap-gap exempt H-1B during the pandemic, and eventually an EB1A green card application. Despite significant institutional backing — including fully funded graduate education at UIUC and postdoctoral training at Sandia National Laboratories — the uncertainty of visa renewals loomed over him for more than a decade.
Rajasegar recalled facing setbacks, including an unexpected RFE questioning the relevance of his work, before eventual approval. “Green card in hand — after 14 years, the visa clock has finally stopped ticking,” he wrote.
He credited mentors, colleagues, and U.S. institutions for their support, highlighting moments when managers and research leaders affirmed his value during challenging times.
Reflecting on the milestone, he noted, “Today, that clock doesn’t exist. That’s the only real difference — and it’s a big one. I hope the American Dream stays alive and accessible for students and professionals who, like me, come here not just for themselves, but to contribute to the future of this country.”
