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And it is very fortunate that they weren't deported, and that it didn't harm their ability to get visas in the future. Really. US immigration is more perverse

And it is very fortunate that they weren't deported, and that it didn't harm their ability to get visas in the future. Really. US immigration is more perverse and frustrating than you can imagine. You might be fine, but just because someone said 'I did this and it was OK' doesn't mean it will be. If you aren't sure, take legal advice. Also, point of information, ESTA isn't a visa. They did it on the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). ESTA is part of the process of entering on the Visa Waiver Program

ig1 14y ago
A large number of founders have done this (in the hundreds now) and I'm not aware of anyone having a problem with it, even with people specifically stating what they were doing in the US (people however have had problems when they've described YC as an "educational program"). Moreover the visa waiver is used extensively by technology companies, investment banks and consultancies when having foreign employees work out of their US offices for short periods (upto several months). Is it a legally airtight option ? - no. Is it in practice what everyone uses ? - yes.