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I'm Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA

300 points proberts | 1 comments | 14 Mar 25 14:39 UTC | HN request time: 0.205s | source

I'll be here for the next 6 hours. As usual, there are countless possible topics and I'll be guided by whatever you're concerned with but as much as possible I'd like to focus on the recent changes and potential changes in U.S. immigration law, policy, and practice. Please remember that I am limited in providing legal advice on specific cases for obvious liability reasons because I won't have access to all the facts. Please stick to a factual discussion in your questions and comments and I'll try to do the same in my responses. Thank you!
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bli940505 ◴[14 Mar 25 14:59 UTC] No.43363255[source]▶
What’s the play for solo founders? I can’t establish a company and work towards funding without an H1B but then at the same time I can’t really afford an H1B without funding.
replies(4): >>43363303 #>>43363306 #>>43363526 #>>43364581 #
1. maestrae ◴[14 Mar 25 15:04 UTC] No.43363303[source]▶
Very curious about this as well. I've seen articles[1] that suggest that you canis engage in passive work, which includes activities such as:

- Conducting market research and customer discovery

- Discussing planned investments and purchases with prospective co-founders

- Attending and participating in business meetings

- Developing business relationships, such as meeting with investors and clients

- Negotiating contracts

- Incorporating a US company, applying for an EIN, establishing a mailing address, and applying for a business license

- Act as a passive shareholder or investor

However, my attempt to find the specific regulations or uscis policy memorandums that state these failed so I'm unsure.

[1] https://www.deel.com/blog/starting-your-own-business-h1b-vis...