A startup founder’s guide to O-1A visas

The following information has been excerpted from “Ask Sophie™: The Founder’s Guide to Visas & Green Cards” and adapted for TechCrunch’s audience.

International startup founders have limited time, energy, and funds. That’s why the O-1A visa for extraordinary ability or achievement is my single favorite path forward for them.

O-1A visas are now taking one to two months to process (or shorter with premium processing) and can grant founders a three-year stay in the United States, with the possibility of unlimited extensions afterward. Compared to other potential visas for founders, like H-1Bs and L-1As, the equity requirements are less complicated, the process is faster, and there is no lottery process or annual cap to contend with. There is also no minimum wage and you can set up your O-1A to allow you to legally engage in multiple work gigs.

O-1As can be petitioned by you or by a…