Looking to expand your B2B SaaS startup in the United States? Silicon Valley immigration attorney Sophie Alcorn recommends setting up your company in the United States to sponsor you, your co-founder, and other prospective employees for visas or green cards. Corporate attorney, Matteo Daste, suggests spending some time on the ground in the US to get a sense of the environment and opportunities before moving here. For a visit to the US, you and your co-founder can get either a B-1 business visitor visa or an ESTA visa waiver. Setting up your company in the United States makes investors more comfortable investing in your company. It is recommended to consult both a startup corporate attorney and an immigration attorney to assist you in your efforts.
Visas for US Startup Expansion: Advice from Sophie
If you’re an international founder looking to expand your B2B SaaS startup in the US, you may be wondering which visas will allow you to interview your ideal users on the ground. Silicon Valley immigration attorney Sophie Alcorn recommends setting up your company in the United States as a valuable foundation to successfully sponsor you, your co-founder, and other prospective employees for visas or green cards.
Corporate attorney, Matteo Daste, partner, and head of the Northern California Emerging Companies and Venture Capital practice at Mayer Brown, suggests spending some time on the ground in the US to get a sense of the environment and opportunities before moving here. Daste has seen an uptick in the number of international founders visiting the US post-COVID-19 to launch their long-awaited expansion and immigration plans.
For a visit to the US, you and your co-founder can get either a B-1 business visitor visa, which allows a stay of at least six months, or an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) visa waiver, which allows citizens from 40 countries (including Poland) to stay for 90 days or less without first obtaining a visa. Upon arrival in the US, you must tell the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer that you will be conducting business during your stay and specifically request either a B-1 business visitor visa status or, if on ESTA, WB (waiver-business) status.
Setting up your company in the United States is valuable for immigration purposes and also makes investors more comfortable investing in your company. It is recommended to consult both a startup corporate attorney and an immigration attorney to assist you in your efforts.
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