How Not To Get Deported:Hacking a Startup Visa

Craig MontuoriFounder & Executive Director

PolitiHacks

Are you an immigrant entrepreneur who

was…?• Educated at a US College or

University?• OR cofounding a company with

an American?• OR seeking to raise ≥ USD 100k?

YOU’RE IN THE RIGHT PLACE

Meet HoaWon $34,000 in student startup competitions—

Would have been deported if she dropped out for her company

Visa Status Quo

Startups don’t follow the well traveled

road

United States Government…

Does

92 Pathways to a Visa

But a Startup Visa Ain’t One

What’s Wrong Now?

ALL

START

UPS

H-1B

FOR

ACADEM

ICS

O-1

…but we use O-1 anyway

Just squint a little (with a good

lawyer)

So… How do immigrant

entrepreneurs get visas? They don’t! …except through

hacks.

Some breakage may occur when

hacking…

…but can be fixed, with some elbow

grease

Can’t Put Everyone on World News

with Diane Sawyer

…Not All Happy Endings

Problems We Face

Wasn’t I working on a company?

And need money to eat, keep my

venture going?

H~uh, but I didn’t think I was a

criminal

Aurora Chiesté Story

So what works?

Consult a lawyer!

…but pick a 10x lawyer

Consult your network for

recommendations

Do your research:Visa Choice

Common Visa Options• O-1 (difficulty in qualifying)• L-1 (time issues)• E-2 (certain countries)• B-1 (limitations)• EB Green Card (many years wait)

Have visa option elimination questions

Understand Who Decides, How They

Think

Expect suspicion

Minimize foreign travel

Avoid startup community jargon

NEVER SAY “HACK*”

System is clean—not perfect

Breaking out of failure modes

Thank you!

Questions?

m@hf.cx