Ask Sophie: Which visas will allow us to expand our venture in the US?

Right here is one other version “Ask Sophie” recommendation column that solutions immigration-related questions on working in tech corporations.

“Your questions are important to the dissemination of information that permits folks world wide to cross borders and comply with their desires,” he says. sophie alcorn, a Silicon Valley immigration lawyer. “Whether or not you are in folks operations, a founder, or searching for a job in Silicon Valley, answer your questions in my subsequent nook.”

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Expensive Sophie,

My co-founder and I began a B2B SaaS enterprise in Poland a number of years in the past and are presently contemplating increasing to america for market entry as we’ve got an acceptable product market in a number of nations in Europe.

We actually have to be within the area to interview our very best customers within the US What visas enable us to do that?

– Targets America

Expensive Aiming,

Congratulations on taking the subsequent huge step in direction of rising your startup! Thanks for reaching out for immigration steerage. Establishing your organization in america is a priceless basis for efficiently sponsoring you, your co-founder, and different potential workers for visas or inexperienced playing cards, whereas additionally making buyers really feel extra comfy investing in your organization. I like to recommend consulting each a brand new company lawyer within the state during which you plan to start out your organization and an immigration lawyer to help you along with your efforts.

Picture Sources: Joanna Buniak / sophie alcorn (opens in a new window)

Matteo DasteA company lawyer, accomplice, and head of Northern California Rising Corporations and Enterprise Capital observe at world regulation agency Mayer Brown, recommends that worldwide founders spend a while within the U.S. to get a really feel for the setting and alternatives earlier than they transfer. Right here. Recently Chatted with Daste says it has seen a rise within the variety of worldwide founders visiting the US to kick the tires post-COVID-19 in regards to the challenges worldwide founders face within the US and to launch their long-awaited enlargement and immigration plans.

Come go to!

If you wish to comply with Daste’s recommendation, you and your co-founder B-1 a enterprise customer visa that may can help you keep for at the least six months, or ESTA (Electronic Travel Authorization System) visa exemptionPermitting residents from 40 nations (together with Poland) to remain for 90 days or much less with out a visa. While you arrive within the USA, you have to inform the US Customs and Border Safety (CBP) officer that you’ll be doing enterprise throughout your keep right here. You need to particularly request a B-1 enterprise customer visa standing or ESTA, WB (work waiver) standing. This may be actually necessary!