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

226 points proberts | 5 comments | 05 Dec 25 16:04 UTC | HN request time: 0s | source

As usual, there are countless immigration topics and I'll be guided by whatever you're concerned with. Please remember that I can't provide 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 do the same in my answers!

Previous threads we've done: https://news.ycombinator.com/submitted?id=proberts.

1. rao-v ◴[05 Dec 25 20:49 UTC] No.46167097[source]▶
I've got friends who tell me they'd never consider applying for YC because they are on a classic H1B with a tech company. What typically happens with folks on a H1B who make it into YC?
replies(1): >>46167237 #
2. proberts ◴[05 Dec 25 20:59 UTC] No.46167237[source]▶
That's hard to respond to other than to say that there are multiple visas that allow participation in accelerators and training programs.
replies(1): >>46167298 #
3. rao-v ◴[05 Dec 25 21:05 UTC] No.46167298[source]▶
That makes sense ... is there a typical path? Basically - are they right in thinking it's a high risk thing for them or should I encourage them to take a shot?

My understanding is that their time spent on the company before YC accepts them is the biggest risk factor?

replies(2): >>46167551 #>>46167655 #
4. garbawarb ◴[05 Dec 25 21:26 UTC] No.46167551{3}[source]▶
As a non-lawyer, it seems that you'd have to leave your company to join YC, meaning you'd forfeit your H1B visa.
5. proberts ◴[05 Dec 25 21:33 UTC] No.46167655{3}[source]▶
No I don't think it's high risk at all because even if the path were something other than H-1B, they always could go back to H-1B.