There are so many brilliant people around the world who would love to work in Silicon Valley and that’s a huge asset to any business that wants to be competitive.
You want to recruit and retain the best talent – and this is only one side of it.
The other side is going through all the immigration stuff. And this is where things can get really complicated and all confusing.
Here are 3 key takeaways to consider before going into the immigration process:
1. Find good representation.
If you’re a large company and a high volume, make sure you have a law firm that can handle the scale and intricacies of that. If you’re an individual or a small company, make sure you have a firm that will help you in answering your questions.
As you’re going into this, evaluate your priorities and what will make you satisfied. How do you define a successful goal for this process?
2. Tell the truth and be forthcoming.
Databases are more sophisticated and they’re internationally connected. Things you need to disclose are future layoffs or experiences with other immigration counsel. Just be really strategic to protect your company’s interest and your family’s interest as an individual.
3. Create a really strong legal strategy for the visa process.
The minimum requirements for filing any one of these applications can only sometimes scratch the surface of what the government is actually looking for. Therefore, it’s good to go with somebody with experience because they can anticipate what the government is going to want to see in general.
Getting the Best Talents with These Best Practices
As a startup, it’s important to have the initial conversation with an immigration law firm that you trust. Get good legal counsel. Be forthcoming about the past. And finally, be strategic about the future!
For more information and resources on immigration best practices, check out Immigration Law for Tech Startups podcast. If you’d like to listen, head over to Episode 006: Immigration Best Practices – Part I.