San Mateo, Menlo Park, South San Francisco, Redwood City and the like are major hotspots for technological innovation. With so many unicorns founded in San Mateo, it is no surprise that it has become one of the most attractive markets and incubators for startups. At Alcorn Immigration, as a founder, you will work closely with a seasoned immigration attorney for startups at San Mateo County to help you secure the top talent needed to grow your business in Silicon Valley. To strategize your next steps and accomplish, together, consider contacting us at (855) 546-0015 today.
Our Mission
At Alcorn Immigration, our mission is simple: overcome borders, expand opportunities, and connect the world through our practice of compassionate and visionary immigration law. We have spent years honing our proven method for helping startups apply for and obtain immigrant and nonimmigrant visas. We are confident in our ability to help you build your company in the United States and hire the world’s best and brightest talent for your startup.
Tech Startup & Corporate Immigration
Immigrant entrepreneurs and professionals are critical to economic growth, especially in the technology sector. Through our tech startup & corporate immigration practice, we help founders and hiring managers navigate complex visa processes. By evaluating your company’s organizational structure, business objectives, and recruitment goals, we can pinpoint the right solution for your startup. The following are among the work visas we have successfully secured for our clients:
- H-1B visa for specialty occupation employees who have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
- O-1A visas for individuals with extraordinary ability in business, engineering, sciences, and education.
- L-1 visas for multinational managers, executives, and key employees with specialized knowledge to transfer between branches of companies.
- TN visas to obtain special immigration status for Canadian and Mexican professionals.
- E-3 visa for Australian citizens who work in specialty occupations.
- H1-B1 for Chileans and Singaporeans who work in specialty occupations.
- Other work visas like the E-1 trade visa, E-2 investor visa, and J-1 researcher visa.
Permanent Residence for Employees
Every year, at least 140,000 employment-based Green Cards are granted to qualified founders and employees. The Green Card offers entrepreneurs the flexibility and freedom to launch several companies without needing to secure a new visa for each business. Permanent residence also provides an avenue for attracting and retaining top talent for your company. Depending on the nature of your company’s work and your Green Card policy, the following permanent residence options may be right for you:
- EB-1A, EB-1B, and EB-1C are for employees with extraordinary ability, outstanding professors and researchers, and for multinational managers and executives who wish to transfer from a foreign office to a U.S. office.
- EB-2 NIW is for individuals who can prove that their work will benefit the national economy, education, healthcare system, or some other critical aspect of society. Securing this Green Card requires an applicant to meet all three criteria listed in the National Interest Waiver.
- EB-2 for individuals with an advanced degree or exceptional ability.
- EB-3 for skilled workers, professionals, or other workers.
Startup Founder Immigration
We believe that skill and ability should determine opportunity, not birthplace. Immigrants have founded more than half of all unicorn companies, and have created thousands of jobs for other talented foreign professionals and American workers alike. Startup founder immigration is an area of immigration law that we are passionate about. We have worked alongside founders and their teams to secure the following startup visas:
- O-1A visa for founders and entrepreneurs who have extraordinary ability in their field. While the O-1 criteria can seem intimidating at first, many founders qualify for this visa without knowing it. Our immigration attorneys for startups offer a comprehensive prep course to help you learn what it takes to craft a successful petition in this category.
- H-1B visa for workers in specialty occupations. These visas are granted using a randomized lottery system, but we guide startups through the process of filing cap-exempt H-1B applications for their employees without needing to pass through the H-1B lottery.
- L-1 intracompany transferee visa for founders of an established company abroad who wish to travel to the United States to create an office in Silicon Valley.
- E-1/E-2 essential employee visa for citizens of treaty countries who will invest in the purchase or creation of an existing business or engage in the trade of goods/services between their country of citizenship and the U.S.
- B-1 business visa and B-2 tourist visa for founders to conduct business meetings, lease an office space, participate in an accelerator program, or raise capital.
Permanent Residence for Founders
Permanent residence offers a more concrete solution for founders who are committed to growing their companies in the United States. Unlike nonimmigrant visas, which have time limitations and are only intended for one specific commercial purpose, a Green Card can provide long-term stability and security. Among the range of Green Cards available, the EB-1A, EB-1C, and EB-2 NIW Green Cards are often recommended due to their quick processing times.
Legal Launch for Startups
Navigating United States immigration law is challenging, but there are tangible ways to prepare and optimize your chance of success. Legal Launch with Alcorn was created to support founders who want to move forward in the immigration process with confidence and clarity. This 4-week course is clearly defined, easy to understand, and will help you navigate the complex requirements of the O-1, L-1, H-1B, and other immigrant and nonimmigrant visas.
How to Choose the Best Immigration Attorney for Founders
The team you hire to support your company is crucial to your success. This includes your legal team, who will work alongside you to identify the right immigration option for you and strategize the next steps for getting started. Choosing the best immigration attorney for startups is no easy feat, and it can be helpful to keep the following in mind as you consult with different firms:
- Does the attorney have experience working with business and tech-minded entrepreneurs?
- Will the attorney manage your case so you can focus on your company?
- Do they have the experience and competence necessary to win your case?
- Does the attorney create solutions based on your unique goals and walk you through the right strategy to get there?
The Alcorn Method
We were voted the top law firm in California for technology startups for a reason. After spending years helping startups and founders with U.S. immigration, we understand which strategies work. The Alcorn Method is a reflection of our proven record of success. When you work with our team, you can expect to:
- Strategize the right immigration solution for you and your team and review the next steps to help you reach your goals.
- Prepare all documentation according to the stringent rules and regulations of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.
- File your petition and all relevant supporting evidence to optimize your chance of approval.
- We are confident in our ability to win your case and ensure that you can continue growing your company in Silicon Valley.
Immigration Resources for Startups
One-on-one support from an attorney is costly, and we have created a suite of immigration resources for startups to access this support without the hefty price tag:
- Ask SophieTM, as seen on TechCrunch
- Sophie Alcorn Podcast
- Order the Book
- Register for Events
- Alcorn Academy
As immigration attorneys for startups, we want to see companies grow and flourish in the United States. The resources we have created are an ideal launchpad for founders and hiring managers who want to begin strategizing their next steps.
Accomplish, Together
There is not a clear-cut path for entrepreneurs who want to come to the U.S. to grow their businesses. Consequently, founders are forced to sort through an extensive collection of different immigrant and nonimmigrant visas to select the right option for them and their team. At Alcorn Immigration, we help streamline the process and provide comprehensive legal support to startups. To connect with an immigration attorney for startups at San Mateo county, consider contacting our Silicon Valley office at (855) 546-0015 today.
