The 2019 Global Law Experts Awards named Sophie Alcorn’s Silicon Valley-based Alcorn Immigration Law the “Law Firm of the Year in California for Entrepreneur Immigration Services.” She helps people get in touch with the organizations and opportunities that enrich their life.
What do I need to understand about obtaining a J-1 exchange visa?
How do we move our Russian and Ukrainian team members to the US?
Here is another installment of “Ask Sophie,” the column that offers guidance on issues relating to working at technology firms and immigration.
According to Silicon Valley immigration lawyer Sophie Alcorn, “your inquiries are essential to the dissemination of knowledge that enables people all over the world to rise above borders and pursue their dreams.” ”
I would love to answer your questions in my next column, whether you’re in people operations, a founder, or looking for a job in Silicon Valley,” the author writes.
Weekly “Ask Sophie” pieces are accessible to TechCrunch+ subscribers; you can save 50% on a one- or two-year subscription by using the discount code ALCORN.
Hello Sophie
I’ve been working for my present business on an H-1B visa for almost two years, but I want to move on to a more difficult role with a different organization.
I feel like I’m in a worse position than I was a few years ago in the job market at a time when more businesses are making layoffs.
Please help me with employment changes, moving an H-1B, and receiving support for my green card.
The good news is that a lot of businesses are employing tech professionals. Since last year, layoffs in the tech industry have made headlines, largely due to the Big Tech companies. But I’ve discovered that a lot of early-stage firms have succeeded in saving money and are now employing.
You won’t have to go through the lottery process again in order to transfer your H-1B status because you previously did it. Phew!
In addition, several industries with high job growth, including healthcare, professional and business services, government, and hospitality, are employing digital talent.
In addition, new federal laws like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 and the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 will boost job growth during the coming years.
Learn about your best options for obtaining a visa and a green card, especially if you’re interested in working for an early-stage firm. Early-stage founders and operations leaders sometimes lack immigration knowledge, thus being able to clearly describe the procedure is crucial when marketing yourself.
Advice on how to handle your H-1B transfer
Being chosen for an H-1B visa in the yearly H-1B lottery is one of the hardest obstacles most people encounter, but you’ve already overcome it. The odds of winning the lotto have drastically fallen during the last few years. You won’t have to go through the lottery process again in order to transfer your H-1B status because you previously did it. Phew!
Now it’s up to you to decide what you want to do. What is your ideal position? For H-1B reasons, is it a specialist occupation? Can you name the next position that would make a wonderful stepping stone if it isn’t the next logical step on a normal career progression ladder?
Once you’ve decided what to do next, you need to find a company ready to accept your H-1B for transfer. In order to find career leads, broaden your network and utilize your current network.
Early in the job interview process, enquire about potential employers’ willingness to encourage immigration.
Move on if they aren’t or if they show hesitation. Employers continue to place a high value on international talent. Envoy Global’s 2023 Immigration Trends Report indicates that 87% of firms in the United States actively seek out and hire foreign workers.
Employers are responsible for covering the fees associated with H-1B visas. In order to save money compared to hiring a recruiter, you might tell potential employers that an H-1B speciality occupation visa transfer for a startup can normally be completed in a month or less and typically costs less than $10,000, including legal and filing expenses. From the time of the offer to the start date, the process may only take four to six weeks.
It is strongly advised that all businesses collaborate with a knowledgeable immigration counsel to draft your work visa petition.
Startups and businesses who have never sponsored an employer or potential employee for an H-1B visa must first have their Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) confirmed by the Office of Foreign Labor Certification of the U.S. Department of Labor. This process usually takes a week.
