4 ms·
$150K is not enough to secure H1B visas either.
by pclark 14y ago
$150K is not enough to secure H1B visas either.
- ajju 14y agoYup, the first thing I thought when I read this: I hope this doesn't end up hurting non-resident applicants to YC. The "prevailing wages" for an engineering position (the minimum salary the company can pay an engineer on a H1B visa) in CA are about $75K. This means that there is almost no leeway even if only one of the founders needs an H1B: this funding alone would not cover it. YC is very aware and supportive of immigrant entrepreneurs though, so I am sure they are already thinking about this. Two mitigating facts: - It is prudent to have enough money in the bank to pay the H1B employee for a year, but this is not a requirement before filing for an H1B, especially if you can show that there are other ways the company can continue to pay the employee. Most significantly: revenue :) - The H1B is not the only route available to non-resident entrepreneurs: the O1 visa is another option, although the requirements are more stringent. I have had to cross a few of these bridges myself, so if I can be of help to anyone reading this, please email me: hnusername@domainINprofile.com
- 001sky 14y agoQuestion - do you need the $75k lump sum, or just the pro-rata per month? its only ~6k/month salary per fte, of course depending on the runway...
- ajju 14y agoThe company has to prove that it will be able to pay the employee's salary for the duration of the visa. A lump sum in the bank is the easiest way of doing this. A steady or growing revenue stream per month is another way.
- dogan 14y agoit is
- deleted 14y ago[deleted]
- ajju 14y agoMisread your comment earlier. Actually 150k is enough to secure an H1B, all other things being kosher.
- pbiggar 14y agoThat is only true in some cases. I know people who have been turned down. It's very hit-and-miss.
- ajju 14y agoYou are correct in that immigration in general, and H1B visas in particular are non-deterministic. Even having $1M in the bank and a top VC firm as an investor does not a guarantee a H1B by any means.