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I'm Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA

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Re: I'm Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA

#71

What do you think about startup parole? If Trump approves it, should we consider it or go with other options. (US inc owner)

I think it's a great rule but it appears that the current administration won't support it unfortunately so I would look at other options.

Re: I'm Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA

#72

Hi peter, Thanks for your AMA, I have one question. I am currently software professional in IT company in Germany. I have few plans for opening startup. After getting funding from US investor how much time it take to get O-1 VISA. What is major requirement for getting O-1 visa. What if my startup fail. Can i continue to work in any other company like startup/MNC ? Thanks in advance :)

It's impossible to assess chances in the abstract but from the time of filing an O-1 petition with USCIS until the issuance of the O-1 visa by a Consulate can be as little as 4 weeks (assuming no issues with the petition). The preparation time is hard to say but typically (depending on the facts of course) it is can be as little as 4 weeks and as much as 12 weeks.

Re: I'm Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA

#73

Hi Peter, I am a student who just finished his Masters (F-1) and I am applying for jobs. However, I have not yet received my work authorization from USCIS. Is it legal for me to accept a job offer and receive any relocation/sign up bonus before that happens?

As a general rule, there's no issue with accepting a job offer or even receiving a signing bonus but you can't work until you receive your EAD.

Re: I'm Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA

#74
post #35
post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I was just at a wedding on the weekend and was chatting with a friend who had that happen two weeks ago. He spent 4 days in a US Border patrol jail near San Diego, sleeping beside MS-13 members. He was forced to buy a last-minute-priced plane ticket back to Canada. His car is currently somewhere in an impound lot in San Diego. His possessions are in his apartment in the bay area. Until he resolves his H1B issues, he…

Did he overstay? I don't understand how people can run into trouble with H1B visas.

This is the real question.

Re: I'm Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA

#75
Hi, currently (and for the forseeable future) I'm a 29 year old CTO at a VC backed Startup with 40 employees in Germany, I've had this position now for nearly two years, before (and on paper now in parallel to) that I've been managing director of a web-development agency for 3 years. I've had several software dev positions before that while working on starting my own companies, a process which made me drop out of university rather early, so I've never finished my degree. I have a wife and child (of 8 months now).

What are my chances of getting a US Visa based solely on work experience without a university degree?

Re: I'm Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA

#76
post #70

I can 100% vouch for Peter and his team. They got me my EB1A which led to my green card. Thanks Peter!

For someone unfamiliar with EB1A, what are the main prerequisites for this visa type? Also what do you think that got you this visa if I may ask?

Re: I'm Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA

#77

Are there any pitfalls in the current political environment for a US citizen entitled to Irish citizenship via foreign birth registration taking advantage of that to work in Europe? More worried about trouble associated with traveling or otherwise using the EU passport than tax or employment issues.

I don't see any downside to dual citizenship and when you travel to third countries, you can travel on either passport (that's up to you) - but when you travel to the US, you must use your US passport and your Irish passport when you travel to Ireland.

Re: I'm Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA

#78

I'm a US citizen, married to an French citizen, living in France. We are thinking of moving back to the US. If I have an immediate job offer there, is it possible to expedite the Green Card process for my spouse?

The short answer is no unfortunately although there may be options to get him here in the short-term.

I assume they'd have to do a K-2 as I'm in a not-too-different situation myself. In that vein, any common pitfalls to watch out for with K-2 visas for a spouse? Especially if they were previously denied a tourist visa without even getting a chance to talk to anyone and no explanation whatsoever.

Re: I'm Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA

#79

Hi, currently (and for the forseeable future) I'm a 29 year old CTO at a VC backed Startup with 40 employees in Germany, I've had this position now for nearly two years, before (and on paper now in parallel to) that I've been managing director of a web-development agency for 3 years. I've had several software dev positions before that while working on starting my own companies, a process which made me drop out of uni…

Very high.
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