Right here’s one other version of “Expensive Sophie,” the recommendation column that solutions immigration-related questions on working at know-how corporations.
“Your questions are important to the unfold of information that permits individuals everywhere in the world to rise above borders and pursue their desires,” says Sophie Alcorn, a Silicon Valley immigration lawyer. “Whether or not you’re in individuals ops, a founder or looking for a job in Silicon Valley, I’d like to answer your questions in my subsequent column.”
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Expensive Sophie,
I’m a global pupil within the U.S. in F-1 standing. I’ll graduate with a bachelor’s diploma in pc science this Could and plan to use for OPT. I wish to launch a startup. Can I try this with OPT? What choices would I’ve after OPT to proceed rising my firm?
— Ahead-Wanting Founder
Expensive Ahead-Wanting,
It’s so thrilling to listen to you’re planning forward to your startup founder journey.
Taking this route requires planning and forethought. Seek the advice of an immigration lawyer for steering in addition to precautionary measures to mitigate dangers and defend you alongside the way in which.
Launching a startup on OPT
As an F-1 pupil with OPT work authorization (work allow), you may get your organization up and working and be self-employed so long as you’re placing your diploma to work. It’s essential to additionally work full time and have all the right enterprise licenses that your state requires.
You don’t have to attend till you get OPT to start out organising your organization. Underneath immigration regulation, doing issues like forming the authorized entity to your firm, pitching potential traders or negotiating contracts will not be thought of work, so you’re allowed to do them with out OPT work authorization.
Picture Credit: Joanna Buniak / Sophie Alcorn (opens in a new window)
That manner, when you’re on OPT, you should have a full 12 months to deal with working your startup.
F-1 college students can apply for OPT as much as 90 days earlier than finishing their diploma, however no later than 60 days afterward. Check out this earlier Dear Sophie column on OPT and get in touch with your college’s DSO (designated faculty official) for extra info.
For those who already know you wish to preserve your startup within the U.S. and discover traders right here, then speak to a company lawyer to find out how you can construction the corporate. Usually, U.S. traders wish to take care of Delaware C firms. Despite the fact that you incorporate within the state of Delaware, your startup will be based mostly in Silicon Valley or anyplace within the U.S.
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