Ask Sophie™: What are the visa options for a startup founder with family?

Here’s another edition of “Ask Sophie,” the advice column that answers immigration-related questions about working at technology companies. “Your questions are vital to the spread of knowledge that allows people all over the world to rise above borders and pursue their dreams,” says Sophie Alcorn, a Silicon Valley immigration attorney. “Whether you’re in people ops, a founder […]

Ask Sophie™: Which US visas are best for international founders?

Here’s another edition of “Ask Sophie,” the advice column that answers immigration-related questions about working at technology companies. “Your questions are vital to the spread of knowledge that allows people all over the world to rise above borders and pursue their dreams,” says Sophie Alcorn, a Silicon Valley immigration attorney. “Whether you’re in people ops, a founder, […]

Ask Sophie™: How do we relocate Ukrainian and Russian team members to the US?

Dear Sophie, Our startup employs about 30 people globally through a combination of direct and co-employment based on their country. Over the last year and a half or so, we helped several team members relocate from Ukraine and Russia to various non-Schengen countries such as Georgia, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, and Uzbekistan. We realize it’s more […]

Ask Sophie™: What are my options for changing my status from an L-1 visa?

Dear Sophie, I started working for my current employer on STEM-OPT, but I’ve lost out in the H-1B lottery four times. Thankfully, my employer transferred me to an international office, and I am now coming back to the U.S. on an L-1 visa. I’ve heard many complaints from my classmates about not being able to […]

Ask Sophie™: Domestic pilot program for H-1B and L visa stamping?

Domestic pilot program for H-1B and L visa stamping? Dear Sophie, I’m in the U.S. on an H-1B, which my employer recently extended. However, I don’t have an H-1B visa stamp in my passport because I originally did a change of status from F-1 STEM OPT. It’s been more than three years since I visited […]

Ask Sophie™: How do I change my L-1B to an H-1B through the lottery?

Dear Sophie, I am currently working in Seattle, having relocated from Chile on an L-1B visa.  Can I change my L-1B visa to an H-1B with a different company? My understanding is that L visas are restricted to working only with the issuing company. — Charming Chilean Subscribe to Our Newsletter! Image Credits: Joanna Buniak / Sophie […]

Ask Sophie™: What are the pros and cons of the E-2 and L-1A visas?

Dear Sophie, We co-founded a startup in Colombia, and we’re looking ahead to our goals for the new year and thinking about opening a sales office in Austin for our U.S. market expansion!  I would be moving, and my co-founder will continue to run our engineering team from Colombia. I’m currently considering both the E-2 […]

Ask Sophie™: Can I do anything to speed up the EAD renewal process?

Here’s another edition of “Ask Sophie™,” the advice column that answers immigration-related questions about working at technology companies. “Your questions are vital to the spread of knowledge that allows people all over the world to rise above borders and pursue their dreams,” says Sophie Alcorn, a Silicon Valley immigration attorney. “Whether you’re in people ops, a founder […]