Sophie is passionate about transcending borders, expanding opportunity, and connecting the world by practicing compassionate, visionary, and expert immigration law.
TechCrunch+ members receive access to weekly “Ask Sophie” columns; use promo code ALCORN to purchase a one- or two-year subscription for 50% off.
I’m interested in working in space technology and will be applying for jobs in that field while I’m on OPT.
I’ve heard that most space tech companies are reluctant to hire individuals on F-1 student visas due to export rules and other compliance issues.
Working in space tech can be tricky for an immigrant on OPT, H-1B or an O-1A.
Sophie is passionate about transcending borders, expanding opportunity, and connecting the world by practicing compassionate, visionary, and expert immigration law.
TechCrunch+ members receive access to weekly “Ask Sophie” columns; use promo code ALCORN to purchase a one- or two-year subscription for 50% off.
I’m interested in working in space technology and will be applying for jobs in that field while I’m on OPT.
I’ve heard that most space tech companies are reluctant to hire individuals on F-1 student visas due to export rules and other compliance issues.
Working in space tech can be tricky for an immigrant on OPT, H-1B or an O-1A.
Ask Sophie: What visas could work to come to Silicon Valley for customer discovery?
Sophie Alcorn, attorney, author and founder of Alcorn Immigration Law in Silicon Valley, California, is an award-winning Certified Specialist Attorney in Immigration and Nationality Law by the State Bar Board of Legal Specialization.
But before you do, I recommend you consult a U.S. immigration attorney to devise a strategy for you based on your short-term and long-term goals.
For example, the current filing fee for E, H, L, and O visa petitions is $460.
The USCIS proposal called for increasing the filing fee for E visa petitions to $1,015, H visa petitions to $780, L-1 visa petitions to $1,385, and O visa petitions to $1,055.
Dear Sophie,I’m working in the U.S. on an H-1B visa, which I received in 2022.
However, I don’t have an H-1B visa stamp in my passport because I changed my status from an F-1 student to H-1B professional while in the U.S.
We have many clients who, like you, changed their status while in the U.S. and don’t have a visa foil — often called a visa stamp — in their passport.
The pilot program has been substantially scaled back from last year’s initial reports to limit the required resources.
At the time, reports indicated that the pilot program would enable both H-1B and L-1 visa holders to renew the visa stamp in their passport while remaining in the U.S.
Ask Sophie: What changes are in store for PERM?
Sophie is passionate about transcending borders, expanding opportunity, and connecting the world by practicing compassionate, visionary, and expert immigration law.
Would you provide an update on what we should look out for in the new year when it comes to the PERM process?
Now, let me provide a bit of context about where things currently stand with the PERM process before diving into the changes you should look out for that will — or will not :) — impact PERM.
If you’d like additional detail about the nuts and bolts of the PERM process, take a look at this previous Ask Sophie column.
Sophie is passionate about transcending borders, expanding opportunity, and connecting the world by practicing compassionate, visionary, and expert immigration law.
TechCrunch+ members receive access to weekly “Ask Sophie” columns; use promo code ALCORN to purchase a one- or two-year subscription for 50% off.
Yes, the International Entrepreneur Parole (IEP) program remains available, but the time it takes for the U.S.
“The [IEP] program requires private venture capital firms to justify their track record and that they’ve made good investments,” says Newbold.
Let me describe how the IEP program works and dive into how to qualify for IEP and offer alternatives.
Ask Sophie: Is it easier yet for AI founders to get green cards?
Sophie is passionate about transcending borders, expanding opportunity, and connecting the world by practicing compassionate, visionary, and expert immigration law.
TechCrunch+ members receive access to weekly “Ask Sophie” columns; use promo code ALCORN to purchase a one- or two-year subscription for 50% off.
How is the administration making it easier for AI companies to sponsor employees for permanent residence?
Will the number of green cards earmarked for individuals in the AI field increase?
Can we transfer green cards too?
Sophie is passionate about transcending borders, expanding opportunity, and connecting the world by practicing compassionate, visionary, and expert immigration law.
Our I-140 EB-2 green card petitions have been approved, but we’re waiting for our priority dates to become current for our green cards.
Your startup will have to file a new I-140 to sponsor you for an employment-based green card or you will have to self-petition for an EB-1A extraordinary ability green card or EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) green card.
I recommend consulting an immigration attorney about transferring your H-1B and green card options that meet your plans and goals.
Can we transfer green cards too?
Sophie is passionate about transcending borders, expanding opportunity, and connecting the world by practicing compassionate, visionary, and expert immigration law.
Our I-140 EB-2 green card petitions have been approved, but we’re waiting for our priority dates to become current for our green cards.
Your startup will have to file a new I-140 to sponsor you for an employment-based green card or you will have to self-petition for an EB-1A extraordinary ability green card or EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) green card.
I recommend consulting an immigration attorney about transferring your H-1B and green card options that meet your plans and goals.
Can we transfer green cards too?
Sophie is passionate about transcending borders, expanding opportunity, and connecting the world by practicing compassionate, visionary, and expert immigration law.
Our I-140 EB-2 green card petitions have been approved, but we’re waiting for our priority dates to become current for our green cards.
Your startup will have to file a new I-140 to sponsor you for an employment-based green card or you will have to self-petition for an EB-1A extraordinary ability green card or EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) green card.
I recommend consulting an immigration attorney about transferring your H-1B and green card options that meet your plans and goals.
