Just wanted to vouch: Peter has helped me successfully obtain 3 complex visas over the years and has been equally successful getting visas for numerous friends.
Cannot recommend highly enough.
His advice has always proven solid as well.
I’m Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA
11–20 of 253 posts
Re: I’m Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA
#12Just curious -
With respect to your work and the types of cases you handle.
What are your biggest challenges? Where do you struggle the most?
Re: I’m Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA
#13Do you see a lot of companies starting up operations in other countries to house their international employees, given the uncertainty in US?
Would you recommend funded startups to have such backup offsite locations?
Re: I’m Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA
#14Do you see a lot of companies starting up operations in other countries to house their international employees, given the uncertainty in US? Would you recommend funded startups to have such backup offsite locations?
Yes, I see some of that but surprisingly I really haven't seen any let up in our practice with companies seeking to establish operations in the U.S. Some companies bifurcate their operations, with development work being done in their home country and marketing and sales and client support work being done in the U.S.
Re: I’m Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA
#15Just wanted to vouch: Peter has helped me successfully obtain 3 complex visas over the years and has been equally successful getting visas for numerous friends. Cannot recommend highly enough. His advice has always proven solid as well.
Thank you!
Re: I’m Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA
#16I've heard that being successful in an O-1 visa application can be very location dependent. So you can be better off applying somewhere far away, rather than a convenient office.
Is this something your office sees much of?
Re: I’m Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA
#17Hi Peter - Thanks for taking the time to answer some questions! I've got some UK related questions... I hope they are factual discussion-related enough :-)
In order to sponsor people in the UK, a company must designate an Authorising Officer (AO) (https://www.gov.uk/uk-visa-sponsorship-employers/sponsorship...). I'm under the impression that this person is mostly a figurehead that signs off on things because the UK needs someone at the company to hold responsible, but that an immigration law firm handles pretty much everything immigration related as Key Contact and Level 1 User. What are your thoughts on how much it matters who the AO is? Eg must they be a manager?
Secondly, there's ambiguity about whether the AO has to be a UK citizen. After reading a good bit online and speaking with an immigration law firm, I don't think this is the case. Do you know?
Next, there are transparency concerns about designating someone as an AO. From what I understand, they would be able to see salaries of other people in the UK and some company financials (but nothing major that's not already shared with the UK and available on websites). Do you know what concerning info is shared with an AO?
Lastly, I know Brexit in theory complicates getting things setup to sponsor people in the UK, but should that prevent a company from working through the process over the past 12 months and for the upcoming 12 months? I doubt things are at a screeching hault at the UK "Home Office".
Any thoughts are appreciated, thanks!
Re: I’m Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA
#18Hi Peter, thanks for doing this AMA!
Do you have any insights on whether getting an L1-A got more difficult with the current administration, and if/how the kind of documents/evidence needed for it changed recently?
I'm asking because I just got my L1-A renewal rejected (after having it successfully renewed 2 years ago), on the grounds of insufficient proof of my position being managerial. My I-94 expired and I don't have another visa, so I had to leave the US – and it's awful for my startup! Timing couldn't be worse.
I'm applying for a new L1-A, so any insights on my question above, or any advice on how to maximize my chance of getting it as quickly as possible, would be super welcome!
Re: I’m Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA
#19Just curious - With respect to your work and the types of cases you handle. What are your biggest challenges? Where do you struggle the most?
Just the irrationality and pre-determined nature of some of the decision-making. The process can feel like a shell game at times. That being said, I think that we understand now what USCIS wants now and are able to provide this and still get approvals even if we have to battle frequent and rough requests for evidence along the way.
Re: I’m Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA
#20We are planning to hire someone on h1b with priority date for green card as 12/22/2009. Do you think this person should be able to get green card with next 2-3 years ? Thanks for taking the question.