I’m Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA • Hacker News Board

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

#221

Post by tokename » Fri, Apr 03, 2020, 7:24 PM UTC

proberts wrote: post #214

tokename wrote: post #196

Hi Peter, I have a greencard and we would like to apply for an F2A greencard for my wife. At the same time, she would like to pursue further education (masters). Are there restrictions against that while pursuing the F2A?

What's your wife's current status?

She is on OPT Stem Extension.

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

#222

Post by losdos » Fri, Apr 03, 2020, 7:25 PM UTC

For a US citizen who decides now to launch a startup and apply (late) to YC that includes a cofounder that is NOT currently in the US and NOT a US citizen, what steps would you recommend be taken to get them here before interviews / acceptance / start date? (Probably not possible now, I assume)

Also taking into consideration the comments some have had regarding a potential "remote" YC 2020 summer batch...may it not matter?

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

#223

Post by ameen » Fri, Apr 03, 2020, 7:32 PM UTC

Hello Peter, thank you for doing this. I had a couple doubts about the H1B processing during these times - my application was selected in lottery but my employer is going through a tough time and I’m not so sure if we’ll be able to survive till October.

Is there any way to transfer my application to a new employer if I do happen to get another offer? Post grad student on an F1 STEM OPT.

Thank you again!

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

#224

Post by dkochmex » Fri, Apr 03, 2020, 7:32 PM UTC

Hey Peter, I am a German citizen living in Mexico who has been to Iran since 2004. As a result, I am ineligible for ESTA and had to apply for a visa. But its now been in processing with the embassy in MX for 1.5y. What would you advise me to do?

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

#225

Post by rubberbandtight » Fri, Apr 03, 2020, 7:37 PM UTC

Hey Peter I’m about to start a company with 2 other founders. I’m on h1b with a different company today. I need to get my h1b transfer approved before starting at the startup. The New company is about to get funding and then it will file for my h1b transfer. How can I get founders stock? Can the company grant it to me in a few weeks/months once my h1b transfer is approved? The company will obviously be formed by then and also funded. Will I have a massive tax liability?

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

#226

Post by notlefthanded » Fri, Apr 03, 2020, 7:40 PM UTC

Hi Peter, I'm a Canadian working in the US on a TN. I have an H1B petition that was selected by lottery and processed for an out of country status change; I haven't activated it at this. Is it possible to change employers to a comparable role with just the accepted petition? Otherwise is it possible to change from a TN status to an H1B status -- despite the out of country filing -- without having to travel, given the current restrictions?

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

#227

Post by Havoc » Fri, Apr 03, 2020, 7:43 PM UTC

Thanks Peter. Stay awesome

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

#228

Post by ashortz26 » Fri, Apr 03, 2020, 7:48 PM UTC

One of my two co-founders is Canadian. He has just been "visiting" very frequently, but it's a constant concern. What is the best way to start the process of trying to get him here to the US, legally?

We have already raised some VC money from US-based investors (not sure if that helps at all).

Thanks!

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

#229

Post by PopeDotNinja » Fri, Apr 03, 2020, 7:54 PM UTC

ashortz26 wrote: post #228

One of my two co-founders is Canadian. He has just been "visiting" very frequently, but it's a constant concern. What is the best way to start the process of trying to get him here to the US, legally? We have already raised some VC money from US-based investors (not sure if that helps at all). Thanks!

Does he qualify for a TN visa?

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

#230

Post by jshevek » Fri, Apr 03, 2020, 7:54 PM UTC

damnyou wrote: post #109

gadders wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Some do, definitely. But that's not why, say, IBM gets 5,000 H1B visa workers a year. It's 99% wage suppression, 1% rare genius/niche skills not available locally.

That is a false dichotomy and you know it.

I don't see a false dichotomy.