Although it is home to some of the largest corporations in the world (such as PayPal and Cisco), San Jose, CA, has been consistently named as one of the best cities for startups in the United States. Indeed, this northern California city offers a rich and vibrant tech scene, providing an innovation hub for entrepreneurs hoping to grow and scale their company on American soil.
The U.S. immigration system is notoriously complex, presenting barriers for entrepreneurs and founders who wish to bring their ideas to the States. At Alcorn Immigration Law, we help founders and employers navigate the immigration process, prioritizing their short- and long-term business objectives at every step. To learn more about how we can help you achieve your immigration goals as efficiently as possible, connect with our team at +1(855) 546-0015 today.
Tech Startup & Corporate Immigration
From branding to management structure to company ethics, every business is unique. At Alcorn Immigration Law, we take the time to understand your company’s vision and values to craft a personalized immigration strategy that meets your needs and goals. If you are looking to establish a startup in U.S. markets or scale your current enterprise into new markets, we will help you navigate immigration challenges that may arise so you can continue to focus on executing your core business.
The entrepreneurs and businesses that we work with come from a vast range of industries and corners of the world. As such, we have in-depth, first-hand experience in successfully securing the following for our clients:
- H-1B visas allow startups to employ skilled foreign professionals for positions that typically require a bachelor’s degree or higher in fields such as technology, science, engineering, and mathematics. These can be obtained even for early-stage founders with majority equity, and more programs are becoming available to obtain them without a lottery.
- O-1A extraordinary ability visa for individuals with exceptional skills in their field – an ideal option for startups seeking top talent to drive innovation and growth. It is a popular choice for founders, founding engineers, designers, and researchers.
- L-1 intracompany transferee facilitates the transfer of managers, executives, or employees with specialized knowledge within the same company, allowing for international expansion and collaboration.
- TN for Canadian and Mexican citizens working in designated professions, making it an attractive option for startups seeking talent from these neighboring countries.
- E-3 visas are specifically for Australian nationals seeking employment in specialty occupations in the United States.
- Fast track H1-B1 visa for Chilean and Singaporean nationals in specialty occupations.
- E-1 trade, E-2 investment, and J-1 researcher visas.
- Permanent residence for corporate employees including EB-1A, EB-1B, EB-1C, EB-2 NIW, PERM, EB-2, and EB-3.
Startup Founder Immigration
With more than half of all successful U.S. startup companies in the United States founded by immigrant entrepreneurs, the importance of immigrant entrepreneurship is clear and unwavering. Our startup founder immigration services are designed to support innovation by helping founders live and work in the United States, allowing them to establish their companies in the U.S. and scale their operations into new markets. Our services also help founders hire the world’s top talent to support their vision.
In a great deal of startups, founders and key employees wear many hats. As a result, many startup founders turn to immigration attorneys to provide the proactive, creative solutions they need to employ or retain highly skilled talent. Working with startup founders is a cornerstone of our practice, which encompasses:
- O-1A extraordinary ability visas for startup founders and foreign professionals with a record of demonstrated achievement in their field.
- International Entrepreneur Parole is akin to a startup visa. It is a status to help global founders build their companies for 2.5 years and has the option for a 2.5 year extension.
- H-1B transfers, cap-exempt and lottery for executives and key founding team members.
- L-1 intracompany transferee visas for multinational executives and managers who wish to work with or establish an office in the United States.
- Other founder visas such as the E-1 trade, E-2 investment, and E-1/2 essential employees.
- Leveraging B-1 and B-2 business and visitor visas to support business growth.
- Securing permanent residence for founders and their key employees through the EB-1A, EB-1C, and EB-2 NIW green card options.
Legal Launch™
Immigration law in the United States is undoubtedly complex. Between stringent eligibility requirements, a complicated application process, and strict visa limitations, it is easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. To help overcome these challenges and allow professionals to focus on growing and scaling their business, we created Legal Launch™ with Alcorn: a four-week assessment program designed to help applicants determine whether they qualify for the fastest visas and green cards. Our team of seasoned attorneys will review your goals, tailor a strategy to achieve your objectives and identify the next steps necessary to ensure success.
How to Choose the Best Immigration Attorney for Startups
Successful teams are made up of partners and trusted advisors who will help you fulfill your entrepreneurial goals and create success. Your immigration attorney will serve as an integral member of your team, managing the immigration process so you can focus on what matters most: your business. When choosing an immigration attorney, ensure that they are responsive, knowledgeable, and acting in your best interests. It is important to confirm that they have experience overcoming challenges unique to founders and startups, as this in-depth expertise will make all the difference in the outcome of your case.
When meeting with prospective immigration attorneys for startups, it can be helpful to consider the following:
- Will they manage your case so you can focus on your business?
- Are they knowledgeable of the process and dedicated to helping you achieve your goals?
- Do they have a strong record of success?
- Are they compassionate and sympathetic to the unique needs of startups in San Jose, California?
About Sophie Alcorn
Sophie Alcorn is the founder of Alcorn Immigration Law, which has been voted the top law firm in California for tech startups. She is host of The Sophie Alcorn Podcast, and best-selling author of Ask Sophie™: The Founder’s Guide to Visas & Green Cards. As a Certified Specialist Attorney in Immigration and Nationality Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization, Sophie is recognized as a foremost expert in immigration law.
The Alcorn Method
At Alcorn Immigration Law, weknow that startup life comes with a distinct level of commitment, challenges, responsibilities, and pressure. When you work with our team, you can expect the following experience:
- Proactive strategizing to identify the right course of action for your company, accounting for your goals, vision, and expertise at every step of the process.
- Attentive and careful preparation to optimize your chance of success.
- Proper filing of all documentation according to the strict rules and regulations of the USCIS or State Department.
- The joy of winning. After approval has been secured, we will continue to offer guidance on any necessary next steps.
Immigration Resources for Startups
We are passionate about offering accessible and reliable information to startups looking to grow and scale their operation in the United States. With this in mind, we have crafted a range of immigration resources for founders and key personnel to expand their know-how of this complex process:
- Ask Sophie™ as seen in TechCrunch
- The Sophie Alcorn Podcast
- Order the Book
- Register for Events
- Alcorn Academy
- Legal Launch
Accomplish, Together
In the fast-paced world of Silicon Valley startups, efficiently and effectively navigating immigration law is the key to success. By partnering with skilled attorneys at Alcorn Immigration Law, you can rest assured that your startup will thrive in the competitive landscape of tech and entrepreneurship. By entrusting immigration matters to our team, startup founders can drive their businesses forward with confidence and clarity. To discuss your immigration strategy with a seasoned San Jose, CA, immigration attorney for startups, contact us at +1(855) 546-0015 today.
