5 ms·
> Most startups can't afford to go through the H-1B process, and many candidates just don't meet the criteria (4 years of school or 12 years combined experience
by psykotic 15y ago
> Most startups can't afford to go through the H-1B process, and many candidates just don't meet the criteria (4 years of school or 12 years combined experience).
If you're a garage-level startup then $10,000 in legal fees to hire an employee might sound like a lot. Otherwise I see it as a cheap bargain if you are truly bringing on talent otherwise lacking domestically, which is the H-1B's nominal charter. As for not meeting the requirements, I'm an example of someone who did not and got an O-1 instead. It's a lot harder but still absolutely doable if the candidate has enough demonstrable accomplishments and acclaim to his or her name.
The time sink of going through the process is probably the bigger issue for a typical fast-moving startup.
- cloudhead 15y agoYea, when I said "afford it" I meant in time and money, which are both scarce in the startup space. I was unaware of the possibility of an O-1 until the H-1B process failed for me, it was brought to my attention only recently.. It's good to know it's an option. Would you be willing to disclose some of the strategies you used to get the O-1? It seems very much geared towards traditional sciences and old media from looking at the criteria.