Same Q as last time: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14707266
I’m Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA
331–340 of 414 posts
Re: I’m Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA
#332What advice would you have for someone who wants to immigrate from Canada to work in Silicon Valley but does not possess a post-secondary degree? Is there a particular visa that is well suited for tech workers without a post-secondary education?
Re: I’m Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA
#333Earlier quoted context omitted.
(throwaway account) After 12 years (of which 7+ years waiting for a green card) I have come to a similar conclusion. How do you compare living in Canada vs USA , like schools and opportunities for spouses ?
I waited for 3 years in a top American company and I concluded that I will be wasting all my productive years for a GreenCard. What use is a GreenCard to me when I am old ? What will happen to my kid's school and education if I am forced to move from one location to another ? What if I buy a home and I cant live in that because I have to move to another state ? Why can't I accept job roles which differs 50% than the…
Glad you made the move. Thank you for the info, will explore more.
I have changed jobs about 5 times, each time the new employer had to redo the I-140 (retaining the priority date from the first application).
The whole process is so broken. My colleagues from east Europe could get their green card within a year of application and yet Im forced to wait for years!
Re: I’m Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA
#334Earlier quoted context omitted.
How many times did you try? I think the rate is like 2-3% for most countries.
Here are the odds, by country. Rate of legal immigration doesn't seem to be a primary determinate for that country's odds. www.usagreencardlottery.org/green-card-statistics.jsp
What does "Winning Chances" mean? It is often very different from "Winning % By Country".
Re: I’m Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA
#335Earlier quoted context omitted.
Sorry but I'm not sure what you are asking.
I'm asking how you justify helping more enter a market that's already showing signs of starting to not have enough room for natives, as you can see in the screenshot I linked. It drives down wages and makes it harder for natives to get a job, and a lot of native grads are struggling.
I'm not an expert on the economy and I can't speak for other immigration attorneys but I know that many of our clients are creating good businesses and hiring local US workers.
Re: I’m Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA
#336Hi Peter, I held an H1B from 2012 to September 2015. If I were to look for visa sponsorship again, am I cap-exempt because of my previous H1B?
Yes, you have the option of being cap-exempt and using the balance of your 6 years.
Re: I’m Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA
#337Earlier quoted context omitted.
Again, not correct and a common misunderstanding. One can go from a TN directly to a green card.
How does one start this process? I work at a YC company fwiw on a TN visa.
I would have an attorney evaluate your background - through review of a resume and a follow-up call - to see what you might qualify for.
Re: I’m Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA
#338Earlier quoted context omitted.
Sorry, this is contrary to everything I've heard and read. I thought non-intent meant that I can't apply for a green card? I guess it would be too late now, but what's the process of getting a work-sponsored green card while on the E3? Thanks so much again.
It's a longer discussion which I would be happy to have with you but there is no question that an E-3 worker can apply for a green card while in E-3 status. The short explanation is that the issue is intent at the time of admission and intent can change after admission.
Not a problem. Thanks a million for all your help to us all here.
Re: I’m Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA
#339Hi, post docs in the USA often hold J1 Visas. Afaik this means: no intention to immigrate, and no right to start a business. But life plans may change, and thus both these may become problems. What advice do you have for entrepreneurially minded researchers w/o the right to act on it?
Re: I’m Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA
#340Earlier quoted context omitted.
We generally advise our clients to file I-751s on their won and save the money because it's a really straightforward process (assuming no issues).
Thanks Peter. Quick one while you're here: How much do we include? Both names are on all apartment leases for the time period, but do we include the 25 pages in each lease, or just the signed pages? Ditto bank statements. Maybe you recommend a web site that offers the right advice on the packaging of evidence. Forums and things I find are completely contradictory.
I would recommend including complete copies of the leases and monthly bank account statements covering the two years if possibly.