Austin is the innovation hotbed of Texas tech, boasting over two thousand tech companies and startups. As the beating heart of the state’s tech scene, it is not a surprise that more and more companies are looking to set up shop in the Lone Star State. Whether you are a founder launching your startup in the U.S., an American company looking to hire international talent or a foreign professional who wants to work in the United States, our team of immigration attorneys for startups can help you obtain the legal status you need for you or your employees. To accomplish, together, consider contacting our office at (855) 546-0015 today.
Tech Startup & Corporate Immigration
Given our unique focus on tech startup & corporate work visas, we have developed an approach that is well-suited to the unique needs of tech founders, HR professionals, and people managers. We have had success securing the following visas for our clients:
- H-1B visa for professionals with specialized knowledge.
- O-1A visas for key employees who possess extraordinary abilities in their field.
- L-1 visas for managers and executives who wish to travel to the U.S. to set up a new office for their company.
- TN visas for Canadian and Mexican citizens to engage in business with a U.S. employer.
- E-3 visa for Australian citizens and H1-B1 visas for Chile and Singapore citizens who work in specialty occupations.
- E-1 trade visa, E-2 investor visa, and J-1 researcher visa for other types of business and employment in the United States.
Permanent Residence for Employees
Permanent residence confers unrestricted authorization to live and earn an income in the United States with far fewer restrictions compared to nonimmigrant work visas. A minimum of 140,000 employment-based Green Cards are granted to qualified foreign-born professionals every year, meaning there are a wealth of opportunities for companies to sponsor key employees to gain permanent residence. At Alcorn Immigration, we help startups apply for and secure the following Green Cards for employees:
- EB-1A and EB-1B are for individuals with extraordinary ability in their field and outstanding professors and researchers
- EB-1C for multinational managers and executives to transfer to an affiliated office in the U.S. or establish a new office in Texas.
- EB-2 for employees with an advanced degree or exceptional ability.
- EB-2 NIW for employees who meet the criteria for the National Interest Waiver, thereby waiving the labor certification requirement and offering a streamlined Green Card application process.
- EB-3 for skilled workers, professionals, and other workers.
Startup Founder Immigration
Economic growth is directly connected to the work of foreign-born startup founders. More than half of all unicorn companies were founded by immigrant entrepreneurs, and we are well-versed in helping startup founders apply for and secure:
- O-1A visas for founders with extraordinary ability in their field. The O-1A visas have stringent eligibility criteria, but many founders have the background, expertise, and acclaim required to qualify for this visa. If you are unsure whether you meet the requirements to apply for the O-1A visa, we offer a comprehensive prep course to help you learn what it takes to file a successful petition for this visa option.
- H-1B visas for employees with specialized knowledge in their field. While these visas are traditionally granted using the lottery system, our immigration attorneys for startups will help you submit your petition as a cap-exempt employer to sidestep this randomized selection process.
- L-1 intracompany transferee visas for startup founders who have already established a company abroad and wish to travel to the U.S. to develop an office in Austin, TX.
- E-1/E-2 essential employee visas for traders and investors who are nationals of treaty countries.
- B-1 business visas and B-2 tourist visas may be a valuable option for entrepreneurs who want to participate in an accelerator program, raise capital, negotiate contracts, or identify an office space for their startups.
Permanent Residence for Founders and Employees
Founders and employees who wish to live and work in the United States may do so by securing a Green Card. Our attorneys will review all potential paths to achieve your long-term goals, taking into account your current immigration status and the unique expertise you bring to your industry.
Current O-1A visa holders may find value in the EB-1A Green Card due to the similarity in eligibility requirements. Multinational managers and executives, on the other hand, typically opt for the EB-1C Green Card to transfer to a U.S. office on a more permanent basis. For founders who can prove that their work is inherently beneficial to the United States and meets the three prongs of the National Interest Waiver, the EB-2 NIW Green Card may be the right fit.
Legal Launch for Startups
Immigrant entrepreneurs and professionals take on great risks to establish and scale their startups in the United States. We strive to minimize uncertainty as much as possible through Legal Launch – a four-week program designed to review your qualifications, establish your portfolio of achievements, and provide a recommended immigration solution to help you move forward with confidence and clarity.
How to Choose the Best Immigration Attorney for Founders
The success, growth, and sustained productivity of your startup depend on your ability to attract a team of talented individuals who are committed to carrying out your vision. The immigration attorney you choose will influence the success of the immigration process and your ability to secure the top talent for your company. When consulting with immigration attorneys for startups, it can be helpful to consider:
- The experience and record of success of the law firm in handling cases for business- and tech-minded entrepreneurs and professionals.
- Their ability to create solutions based on your goals and walk you through the right strategy to get there.
- The responsiveness of your attorney and whether they manage your case, so you do not have to.
About Sophie Alcorn
Sophie Alcorn is an author, host of the Sophie Alcorn Podcast, TechCrunch contributor, and Certified Specialist in Immigration and Nationality Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. Leveraging her skills, passion, and expertise, Sophie Alcorn has grown Alcorn Immigration into the top-rated law firm in California for technology startups.
The Alcorn Method
Our success and 95%+ approval rating is a reflection of our unique approach to startup and corporate immigration cases. The Alcorn Method is a combination of standardized legal techniques and our personalized approach:
- Strategize. We begin each case with a comprehensive review of our clients’ business objectives, recruitment techniques, and growth metrics to recommend an immigration strategy for your startup.
- Prepare. All effort is in vain without careful preparation. We gather and organize all documentation according to the strict requirements of the USCIS and the State Department.
- File. Our team manages your case, so you do not have to, including filing your application and handling correspondence regarding your petition.
- Win. We celebrate the success of our clients and guide them through the necessary next steps.
Immigration Resources for Startups
As knowledgeable immigration attorneys for startups, our goal is to provide the resources necessary for startups to flourish in the United States, including:
- Ask SophieTM, as seen on TechCrunch
- Sophie Alcorn Podcast
- Order the Book
- Register for Events
- Alcorn Academy
Accomplish, Together
Staying agile in navigating immigration matters is critical to the success and continued growth of your company in Silicon Hills, NW Austin, and Round Rock. In Alcorn Immigration, you will find a trusted advisor, zealous advocate, and a wealth of information to tap into for the duration of your immigration process. For more insight into how we can accomplish, together, consider connecting with our team of immigration attorneys for startups at (855) 546-0015 today.
