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

#101

Post by samhoggnz » Fri, Aug 25, 2017, 4:13 PM UTC

SirHound wrote: post #92

kentosi wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thank you so much! I thought there might have been issues since this was my first time getting an H1B.

As someone who is eligible for an Australian passport, I was going to get one on the understanding the E3 is superior as it would allow a spouse to come with and get a job. Is there a specific reason you're moving to a H1B?

An E-3 isn't dual intent, there's no path to a GC unless you switch.

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

#102

Post by 47 » Fri, Aug 25, 2017, 4:13 PM UTC

Hi, We are a Canadain Startup, but we also have a US corporation as well as we have as we have employees and warehouses in US.

Our System and Network Mamager is Canadian PR but I will like for him to work in US for time to time. He is a Russian Citizen. What kind of VISA we can apply for him to be to work in US?

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

#103

Post by throthrothis » Fri, Aug 25, 2017, 4:14 PM UTC

proberts wrote: post #57

bharatnt wrote: post #54

Hi, I am from India and I want to know the options that I have to come to valley. I don't have graduate degree but I have learned Computer Science from sites like edx and coursera. If needed I can pay a little fee on those sites and get the certificate of complications that they provide. What are available options? I really appreciate you taking time to do this ama. Thank you

For an H-1B, you would need to have the equivalent of a 4-year bachelor's degree and this equivalency can be based on foreign education or experience or a combination of the two. The evaluation would need to be done be a certified evaluator.

and a hell lot of luck because H1B is a lottery system now (which was previously a skill based system)

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

#104

Post by TremendousT » Fri, Aug 25, 2017, 4:14 PM UTC

With all the anti-immigration fervor coming from certain quarters these days, do you recommend getting an attorney for filing I-751's? Uncomplicated situation. I'm a US citizen, wife is from an uncontroversial sub-saharan African nation.

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

#105

Post by rogual » Fri, Aug 25, 2017, 4:14 PM UTC

Hi Peter, thanks for doing this!

As a Brit with 10 years experience as a developer but no degree, do I have any hope at all of being able to come and work in the USA?

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

#106

Post by proberts » Fri, Aug 25, 2017, 4:14 PM UTC

charris0 wrote: post #97

Hi Peter, thanks for sharing info on what I feel is quite an unknown subject to an outsider. I have a general question for you: As a skilled software developer with a relevant UK university degree (3 years BSC) and work place experience, interested in working in the US - What is the ballpark range of costs and wait time involved in getting a visa to allow me to work for a US company. What's the general procedure, - g…

I would probably talk with an immigration attorney first to understand what is even possible because sometimes, unfortunately, there are no good immigration options.

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

#107

Post by jonathanpoulter » Fri, Aug 25, 2017, 4:14 PM UTC

lauragomez1 wrote: post #83

Hi Peter, I got a L1B visa a month ago, i.e. I'm an intracompany transferee and I want to know if I'd be authorised to work for other companies in the US in the future. If so, should I have to get a different kind of visa? What's the process like? Thanks!!

I'm also on an L1B visa, to my knowledge there's no such flexibility, to the point that you'd have to move back to your country or have a new company file a brand new H1B application if you wanted to move, I don't know how frequently this is done. An L1B visa is actually very restrictive as I understand it, any insight Peter had would certainly be interesting.

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

#108

Post by proberts » Fri, Aug 25, 2017, 4:16 PM UTC

47 wrote: post #102

Hi, We are a Canadain Startup, but we also have a US corporation as well as we have as we have employees and warehouses in US. Our System and Network Mamager is Canadian PR but I will like for him to work in US for time to time. He is a Russian Citizen. What kind of VISA we can apply for him to be to work in US?

He might have multiple options (depending on his employment history with you all and his overall background) but an L-1, O-1, and H-1B might all be options.

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

#109

Post by tocomple » Fri, Aug 25, 2017, 4:16 PM UTC

Hi Peter, I'm working in the US for a big tech company with an H1B1 visa (something like a lightweight version of the H1B, but exclusive for people of Chile and Singapore). My wife is a US citizen. I want to apply for a Green Card, but I'm not sure what's the path that I should follow. Is it more likely to get it through my marriage or through my employer? Is there any otherrelevant reason why should I choose one over the other?

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

#110

Post by adamnemecek » Fri, Aug 25, 2017, 4:18 PM UTC

Just wanted to say that not enough people know about the Green Card Diversity Lottery https://www.dvlottery.state.gov.

The odds are kinda small and there are restrictions but I know at least three people who got their green card this way.