News Summary

• If it’s not the next natural step on a typical career progression ladder, can you identify the next role that would be a great steppingstone?Image Credits: Sophie AlcornOnce you’ve identified your next step, then you need to find an employer willing to transfer your H-1B.
• Often early-stage founders and ops leaders have limited immigration experience, so knowing how to explain the process is invaluable to pitching yourself.You’ve already surpassed one of the biggest challenges most people face — being selected for an H-1B visa through the annual H-1B lottery.
• You can let prospective employers know that an H-1B specialty occupation visa transfer for a startup can typically be accomplished in a month or so, and usually for less than $10,000, including legal and filing fees, which is much less than the cost of a recruiter.
• The process can take as little as four to six weeks from offer to start date.It’s definitely recommended that all companies work with an experienced immigration attorney to put together your work visa petition.
• Ask prospective employers early on in the job interview process whether they’re willing to provide immigration support.If they aren’t — or if they hesitate — move on.
• Here’s another edition of “Ask Sophie,” the advice column that answers immigration-related questions about working at technology companies.“Your questions are vital to the spread of knowledge that allows people all over the world to rise above borders and pursue their dreams,” says Sophie Alcorn, a Silicon Valley immigration attorney.