4 ms·

Technically it isn't clear what visa foreign YC founders should use to stay in the US during the 3 months. Visa waiver[0] only allows for meetings, attending a

by dotBen 11y ago

Technically it isn't clear what visa foreign YC founders should use to stay in the US during the 3 months. Visa waiver[0] only allows for meetings, attending a conference, attend short-term unpaid training or negotiate a contract. Anything that really is 'working' - such as performing software engineering for a company (even your own) - is arguably outside of the visa waiver. I'm assuming YC doesn't want founders to be outside of the law so I'm curious what their legal advisors have advised them. [0]http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/visit/visa-waiver-program.html http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/visit/visa-waiver-p...

hugh4 11y ago
If challenged I would stick it under "negotiating a contract". "Yes, I am negotiating a contract for investment. The work I am doing is part of the negotiation"
- dotBen 11y ago
  I wouldn't. Why would you have paperwork to be in the US for 3 months to 'negotiate a contract'. Its a serious crime to lie or misrepresent to a Federal DHS Officer
  - hugh4 11y ago
    I'm not suggesting lying, I'm suggesting using a broad definition of "negotiating"
    - dotBen 11y ago
      yeah, I don't think you've had a lot of interactions with Dept Homeland Security.
- 15155 11y ago
  Federal Judge: "Can I see which specific individual or entity has expressed intent to invest? Oh, there isn't one.. yet? Goodbye!"
- deleted 11y ago
  [deleted]
- mikekchar 11y ago
  As someone who does contract work for companies in other countries, I highly recommend that you don't do that. This is specifically the kind of thing that will get you kicked out of a country. Once you are kicked out, not only are you very unlikely to every be able to get a visa for that country again (even a tourist visa), but you are unlikely to get a visa anywhere in the world. Countries share this kind of data freely. Stick strictly to the rules (both in letter and spirit). Living abroad and working on contracts internationally is very, very nice. Being able to travel to the countries where you are doing business so that you can have meetings, meet people, actually negotiate, etc is often a prerequisite for getting the contract. Don't screw over your future self.
deleted 11y ago
[deleted]
gozo 11y ago
At least from what I've heard YCs position on this has been "not our problem". Frankly that has seemingly been their position on many concerns of founders e.g. housing. YC only leaves you 6 weeks or so from acceptance to start of the program which obviously isn't enough to get a work permit. http://benmetcalfe.com/blog/2012/02/what-visa-type-do-you-need-exactly-to-legally-participate-in-y-combinator/ http://benmetcalfe.com/blog/2012/02/what-visa-type-do-you-ne...
- dotBen 11y ago
  as it happens, that's my post on the subject from some time ago ;)

by dotBen 11y ago

hugh4 11y ago

If challenged I would stick it under "negotiating a contract". "Yes, I am negotiating a contract for investment. The work I am doing is part of the negotiation"

dotBen 11y ago
I wouldn't. Why would you have paperwork to be in the US for 3 months to 'negotiate a contract'. Its a serious crime to lie or misrepresent to a Federal DHS Officer
- hugh4 11y ago
  I'm not suggesting lying, I'm suggesting using a broad definition of "negotiating"
  - dotBen 11y ago
    yeah, I don't think you've had a lot of interactions with Dept Homeland Security.
15155 11y ago
Federal Judge: "Can I see which specific individual or entity has expressed intent to invest? Oh, there isn't one.. yet? Goodbye!"
deleted 11y ago
[deleted]
mikekchar 11y ago
As someone who does contract work for companies in other countries, I highly recommend that you don't do that. This is specifically the kind of thing that will get you kicked out of a country. Once you are kicked out, not only are you very unlikely to every be able to get a visa for that country again (even a tourist visa), but you are unlikely to get a visa anywhere in the world. Countries share this kind of data freely. Stick strictly to the rules (both in letter and spirit). Living abroad and working on contracts internationally is very, very nice. Being able to travel to the countries where you are doing business so that you can have meetings, meet people, actually negotiate, etc is often a prerequisite for getting the contract. Don't screw over your future self.

deleted 11y ago

[deleted]

gozo 11y ago

At least from what I've heard YCs position on this has been "not our problem". Frankly that has seemingly been their position on many concerns of founders e.g. housing. YC only leaves you 6 weeks or so from acceptance to start of the program which obviously isn't enough to get a work permit. http://benmetcalfe.com/blog/2012/02/what-visa-type-do-you-need-exactly-to-legally-participate-in-y-combinator/ http://benmetcalfe.com/blog/2012/02/what-visa-type-do-you-ne...

dotBen 11y ago
as it happens, that's my post on the subject from some time ago ;)