031: H-1B Nitty Gritty #2: H-1B Transfer for Startup Founders

In this episode, I tackle the question we most frequently get asked: How do I transfer my H-1B with my current employer to the startup I want to create?

I love supporting startup founders because it magnifies the world of possibilities. When startup founders create technologies that save lives or change businesses, their positive effects spiral upward and outward. As a founder myself, I’m passionate about helping other founders devise an immigration strategy that allows them to create the companies they dream of starting without jeopardizing their H-1B status or chances of getting a green card.

Once your startup has laid the groundwork for transferring your H-1B to your startup, you could be just months away from focusing full time on making your dream a reality.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

Issues to consider before, during, and after pursuing the H-1B transfer process
What does and doesn’t qualify as authorized work the H-1B with your current employer
What you can and cannot do at your startup until your H-1B transfer to your startup is approved
What issues you will need to discuss with your co-founders, your executives, your corporate attorney, and prospective investors
How to structure your startup and your position within your startup to maximize the chances that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will approve your H-1B transfer
How long the H-1B transfer process typically takes