According to pg, there's been various non-us founders who moved to the valley. So, what's your story? What challenges did you have (legal or cultural)?
I'm asking because I'm considering doing the same (I'm from Amsterdam).
Ask YC: Non-US Founders, What's Your Story?
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Re: Ask YC: Non-US Founders, What's Your Story?
#2Oh, on big challenge: cheap country is very demotivating. (I'm from Poland)
Re: Ask YC: Non-US Founders, What's Your Story?
#3Legal question: what visa do you arrive in the US?
Re: Ask YC: Non-US Founders, What's Your Story?
#4This is a very important topic for me. I asked a while ago if a B1/B2 visa would be enough to incorporate a company, but no one was able to provide an answer.
Re: Ask YC: Non-US Founders, What's Your Story?
#5This is a very important topic for me. I asked a while ago if a B1/B2 visa would be enough to incorporate a company, but no one was able to provide an answer.
I came to the US on such a visa to create a startup in the Valley. I was not the one responsible for the incorporation paperwork so I can't exactly say. I think it should be ok. However, you will not be allowed to work or receive a salary until you change your visa status. This usually entails leaving and re-entering the US.
Re: Ask YC: Non-US Founders, What's Your Story?
#6I'm one of those founders, last time i put out my email for anyone needing advice I got like 20 different people asking me questions. I'm happy to answer any questions in the forum.
This is what think:
1. Don't worry about VISA until you get accepted, it will take too much time
2. To get the right VISA is hard, lawyers will tell you what the law say, not necessary what is the right thing to do in the situation
3. Don't be too honest at the border control. I had a friend once who where touring with their band in US, at the border the asked if they where going to work in the US? (I.e get paid) and they were honest and said yes, the border threw them out. As long as you are not earning money in the US, you're best off by saying you are on vacation.
Re: Ask YC: Non-US Founders, What's Your Story?
#7Oh, on big challenge: cheap country is very demotivating. (I'm from Poland)
Yes, my understanding that "All countries are equal but some countries are more equal than others"...i.e people from eastern Europe have a bigger problem entering US than people from western. That sucks bad.
Re: Ask YC: Non-US Founders, What's Your Story?
#8Legal question: what visa do you arrive in the US?
Re: Ask YC: Non-US Founders, What's Your Story?
#9I'm one of those founders, last time i put out my email for anyone needing advice I got like 20 different people asking me questions. I'm happy to answer any questions in the forum. This is what think: 1. Don't worry about VISA until you get accepted, it will take too much time 2. To get the right VISA is hard, lawyers will tell you what the law say, not necessary what is the right thing to do in the situation 3. Don…
This is terrible advice because if you don't have your story completely straight and they figure out that you have lied to them you could easily find yourself permanently inadmissible to the US.
Unless you are an experienced professional at telling lies to people whose job it is to determine if you are lying to them or not you probably shouldn't try to enter the US without having your visa in order.
Re: Ask YC: Non-US Founders, What's Your Story?
#10right now -the distraction of being buzzed by the blue angels while I'm trying to work!
More generally - we've not yet secured our visas but our E2 (foreign investor) application is in and we should be eligible as we've brought a chunk of money from the UK (you need a 'viable' amount - more for a factory, less for a coffee shop).
Culture is great and much better (and cheaper) than the UK. SF is a very positive place to be starting a company (Boston's not a whole lot better than London thoguh).
Not having a social security number us a royal pain and if you're not careful can sting you all over the place (like bank accounts). One of our founders had very good relations with his bank so we just about managed to get personal and business accounts but that can take a long time and you need one before you apply for your visa.
3 month stints are feasible but dangerous. We're on our second and I know others who've done three but who are definitely on the edge now.
As Gustav said, don't say you're getting paid - treat YC as a training programme and if you at all can then pay yourself through your home company. Don't lie to customs either though - our lawyer (who used to do visas for you tube and google advised that you're much better off being bounced honestly than having a lie highlighted during your actual visa interview.
All in, it's all just about possible (though we can confirm that for certain if and when our visa's get issued - the process takes 4 months and that's after you've sorted out your bank account, incorporation, investment etc) but tricky. It'll definitely sink a lot of time.