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I am Peter Roberts, an immigration lawyer who does work for YC and startups. AMA

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Re: I am Peter Roberts, an immigration lawyer who does work for YC and startups. AMA

#321

Post by dang »

kumarski wrote: post #311
sgrove wrote: post #302

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The parent comment, or the one stating that this is the parent's first post and asking for more details on the OP's credibility?

I know her, messaged her, and asked her to respond.

Between your comments and others in this subthread, this is beginning to look uncomfortably like an organized campaign. That is not a legit use of the thread.

Obviously there's no direct way for anyone who doesn't know the facts of an anonymous story to respond to it. It would be difficult even for Peter to respond specifically; confidentiality issues don't just disappear when someone posts a comment. But it doesn't feel right to leave this unanswered, either, so let me add my own simple anecdote: working with Peter, who helped me get a visa, was hands-down the best experience I've ever had with a lawyer. And you can see the similar things that other HN users had to say when we announced the AMA: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=10699898.

There's a reason why YC uses Peter to help every international startup they fund. If he didn't deliver the goods, that wouldn't happen.

I don't mean that to denigrate your friend's experience—it's impossible to evaluate.

Re: I am Peter Roberts, an immigration lawyer who does work for YC and startups. AMA

#322

Post by kumarski »

kumarski wrote: post #289
treasuresque wrote: post #286

DO NOT WORK WITH HIM. Can't believe he made it to HN!! He somehow became a thing but I can't stress out enough how much money he had cost me while providing either no service -even declined to work on my first case- or really shitty service, where i ended up writing all docs myself. He does not think out of the box at all or provides any value bigger than digging into Google. He didn't have any plan B or even replied…

Everyone should read this comment above^^ EVERYONE.

Edit: I was informed this was an abuse of HN. Peter can't defend himself in this scenario because of US confidentiality laws between lawyers and clientele.

Many people have had good or stellar experiences with Peter Roberts.

Peter, Sincerest apologies. -K.

Unable to delete the prior comment.

Re: I am Peter Roberts, an immigration lawyer who does work for YC and startups. AMA

#323

Post by arunaugustine »

proberts wrote: post #15
KAdot wrote: post #5

Can I sell my own software as a H1B worker? E.g. my own apps in App Store?

Another excellent question. Any compensation for services rendered - for productive work - must be specifically work authorized, so as a general rule selling a product created by you - whether it's an application or a widget - requires work authorization.

What if it's an app that I purchased from websites like flippa.com? If the app has continuing revenue, will it be treated as an investment rather than productive work?

Re: I am Peter Roberts, an immigration lawyer who does work for YC and startups. AMA

#324

Post by kylnew »

canadiancreed wrote: post #282
kylnew wrote: post #170

In your experience, how necessary is it for Canadians and Mexicans applying for a TN Visa, to be accepted for Software Engineer or Computer Systems Analyst jobs without a degree in computer science or engineering? For example, I have a B.Comm degree. I've heard it's a bit hit and miss and if you don't have a good lawyer working on your side getting through might be tough. I'm not sure if it's a different story for H1…

I'm not a lawyer, but as a Canadian that does not have a degree in Comp Sci and has been looking for work in the United States since 2006, I'd like to share my experience. In a nutshell, I've been told time and again that having a degree will help, although how much one that isn't related to your discipline may not be worth much more then the paper it's printed on. To give my experience, I've been told by multiple co…

So have you ever managed to get a TN or H1B Visa opportunity in the US?

Everything I hear sounds so anecdotal it's hard to get a grip on what matters. Hopefully the more applied years helps too (I have 6). Still, it sounds like getting in may be a matter of strong-arming through law/lawyers.

Re: I am Peter Roberts, an immigration lawyer who does work for YC and startups. AMA

#325

Post by nathanvanfleet »

woud420 wrote: post #223
nathanvanfleet wrote: post #217

If I come over from Canada and work somewhere, is it easy to change my job to another company if things don't work out? Do I have to leave and come back? Is there a deadline in finding a new job?

IANAL but having been in that situation, I think I can answer. I'm assuming you would be under a TN status. It depends partly on the timeline. Finding a new job is relatively easy (depending on your experience and the market) and you can file for an I129 (Change of Status I think) to get a new TN status or change of employer but the main thing to remember is to file this prior to you receiving your last pay check. It…

"you are supposed to leave on your last day of work"

Holy crap. Thanks for the info.

Re: I am Peter Roberts, an immigration lawyer who does work for YC and startups. AMA

#326

Post by endurancerobot »

EnduranceRobots.com is looking for enthusiasts and hobbiests in robotics and laser industry. We are looking for tech smart people who would like to help us to improve our products and positioning on the markets.

We are still very early startup and can not pay big salaries but we can pay some.

Please have a look our web site: endurancerobots.com youtube channels: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzziBor2UytyKZ2RCPjXvCA http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLVtLSTxwLPs74x1cUoAHzA and our facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Endurance-1399951053640252/

We are very open to all critics: email us your ideas to: gf@endurancerobots.com or skype my: george.fomitchev

Re: I am Peter Roberts, an immigration lawyer who does work for YC and startups. AMA

#327

Post by endurancerobot »

kemitchell wrote: post #225

As a fellow (non-immigration) attorney, I'd just like to stress how remarkable and generous is Peter's willingness to do this via HN, even with the very obvious disclaimer. It speaks volumes about his confidence in his expertise and communication, as well as a genuine desire to spread good information around to those who need it. Neither the dated, often fuzzy rules about practicing law nor lawyers' developed risk co…

EnduranceRobots.com is looking for enthusiasts and hobbiests in robotics and laser industry. We are looking for tech smart people who would like to help us to improve our products and positioning on the markets.

We are still very early startup and can not pay big salaries but we can pay some.

Please have a look our web site: endurancerobots.com youtube channels: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzziBor2UytyKZ2RCPjXvCA http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLVtLSTxwLPs74x1cUoAHzA and our facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Endurance-1399951053640252/

We are very open to all critics: email us your ideas to: gf@endurancerobots.com or skype my: george.fomitchev

Re: I am Peter Roberts, an immigration lawyer who does work for YC and startups. AMA

#328

Post by yansuck »

falsedan wrote: post #241
mahyarm wrote: post #12

How does one with a H1B, TN, H1B1, or E3 visa move from their current US employer and start their own company legally while living in the USA?

Set up an LLC & extend yourself a job offer. Make sure you have the capital to pay yourself according to your visa's restrictions, follow the appropriate procedure for visa transfer, & don't outright own the LLC. Alternatively, petition to change visa to H-1B & get your employer to start the greencard application.

May I ask why can't a person on F1/H1B own a LLC 100%?

Re: I am Peter Roberts, an immigration lawyer who does work for YC and startups. AMA

#329

Post by falsedan »

yansuck wrote: post #328
falsedan wrote: post #241

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Set up an LLC & extend yourself a job offer. Make sure you have the capital to pay yourself according to your visa's restrictions, follow the appropriate procedure for visa transfer, & don't outright own the LLC. Alternatively, petition to change visa to H-1B & get your employer to start the greencard application.

May I ask why can't a person on F1/H1B own a LLC 100%?

Owning the company that is extending you the job offer you need for the visa is grounds for cancelling your visa—it's not guaranteed but if DHS find out in the future (like if you petition/apply for greencard) they'll bounce you.

Basically, do it if you're comfortable (maybe) being asked to leave the country on short notice.

Re: I am Peter Roberts, an immigration lawyer who does work for YC and startups. AMA

#330

Post by nathanvanfleet »

woud420 wrote: post #223
nathanvanfleet wrote: post #217

If I come over from Canada and work somewhere, is it easy to change my job to another company if things don't work out? Do I have to leave and come back? Is there a deadline in finding a new job?

IANAL but having been in that situation, I think I can answer. I'm assuming you would be under a TN status. It depends partly on the timeline. Finding a new job is relatively easy (depending on your experience and the market) and you can file for an I129 (Change of Status I think) to get a new TN status or change of employer but the main thing to remember is to file this prior to you receiving your last pay check. It…

So is this a scenario where you can hope to actually settle in the US? Because it sounds incredible unstable and temporary.
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