Ask HN: going to USA
7 comments
Mariano, unless you have left out important information such as "Although I grew up in Argentina I am a U.S. citizen by virtue of being born in the United States", you lack legal permission to work in the United States unless you get a visa which permits it prior to arriving in the US. I'll just give it to you straight: it is not likely that you will be able to do this in anything like the timeline you are currently planning.
Without legal permission to work in the U.S., you will find it extraordinarily difficult to find reputable employment.
I would counsel against illegal employment -- when I was young and stupid I worked on a cash basis for a man who "didn't want none of that OSHA paperwork nonsense", and I was forced to quit the job after he threw a 20 lb. pipe at my head. (Cleaning oil pipeline components with a toothbrush is, by the way, every bit as fun as it sounds.)
Without legal permission to work in the U.S., you will find it extraordinarily difficult to find reputable employment.
I would counsel against illegal employment -- when I was young and stupid I worked on a cash basis for a man who "didn't want none of that OSHA paperwork nonsense", and I was forced to quit the job after he threw a 20 lb. pipe at my head. (Cleaning oil pipeline components with a toothbrush is, by the way, every bit as fun as it sounds.)
Thank you for your response. I forgot to mention this important issue. I'm an Italian citizen too, this could help me or it's the same as being an Argentine citizen?. All legal, there's no question about it.
So this means that if in the future I apply for Ycombinator and the application is accepted, I won't be able to participate because of the visa issues.
So this means that if in the future I apply for Ycombinator and the application is accepted, I won't be able to participate because of the visa issues.
If you're an Italian citizen, you might consider going to live/work in Italy instead of the US. By right of citizen, you already would be legally allowed to work in that country. Also, the Italian citizenship may entitle you to work anywhere else in the EU you wish to go. While not the same as the US, you'd get nearly all the other benefits you had hoped for.
Italy is part of the EU, so Italian citizens are entitled to work most places in Europe. If you want to improve your English, I recommend working in England or Ireland instead of the US.
[Edit: removed stuff about the Schengen area]
[Edit: removed stuff about the Schengen area]
Good luck in Ireland. You may have noticed we're in a bit of a recession here (note heavy sarcasm)... I'd wager that you'd have a difficult time finding a job in Ireland. Course both Google and Amazon have offices here so don't let me discourage you. Just be warned.
Jobs aside, I've loved the last two years I've spent here in Ireland. The people are lovely, as is the country itself. Still on the expensive side, but we're having price corrections along with the recession. :-)
Jobs aside, I've loved the last two years I've spent here in Ireland. The people are lovely, as is the country itself. Still on the expensive side, but we're having price corrections along with the recession. :-)
Just a tiny error: Schengen AFAIK has nothing to do with entitlement to work.
Or Germany, for that matter. No joke.
Yes to this. If you want to improve your english, head to the UK. As kaizyn says, you should (as an EU citizen) have the right to work there.
As an Italian citizen, you'll be able to enter the US under the WVP. You won't be authorized to work though. Taking part in YC under the WVP is possible.
On a side note, is it possible to do YC as an OPT.
Edit: I couldn't reply so Ill explain here. OPT is Optional Practical Training, it is what F1 visa holders(full time students) can do. We are able to stay for 29 months after graduation, to work in the field we studied for in order to get practical training.
Edit: I couldn't reply so Ill explain here. OPT is Optional Practical Training, it is what F1 visa holders(full time students) can do. We are able to stay for 29 months after graduation, to work in the field we studied for in order to get practical training.
Yes, unless this guidance has changed: http://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/opt_policy_guidance_pdf....
EDIT: Section 7.2.1 specifically.
EDIT: Section 7.2.1 specifically.
What's an OPT?
Taking part in YC under the WVP is possible.
Careful there. It's almost certainly not. Unless you're just a "brain" doing meetings only, you'd almost certainly be doing something that could be considered "work" and it doesn't matter if you're not being paid.
Careful there. It's almost certainly not. Unless you're just a "brain" doing meetings only, you'd almost certainly be doing something that could be considered "work" and it doesn't matter if you're not being paid.
Regarging the ability of foreigners to participate in YC, this is addressed in the FAQs here: http://ycombinator.com/faq.html
From my understanding you could do it, because foreigners are allowed to own or start U.S. corporations. I'm not sure how much work on the project you would have to do at home versus here, though.
From my understanding you could do it, because foreigners are allowed to own or start U.S. corporations. I'm not sure how much work on the project you would have to do at home versus here, though.
I'd also like to add, that if you're caught working illegally, you'll never get into the US again. So if you ever plan on living in the country, you're better off not ruining your chances.
Also should be worth mentioning that Argentina is not part of the visa waiver program. That means that if you want to come to the US for 1-3 months, you'll have to apply for a visa, and immigration authorities will almost certainly want proof that you will have enough money to live as a tourist in the USA for that period of time. So you need to make sure to have the money in advance and be able to prove it. It would be unfortunate if you spent money on a plane ticket to the US only to get turned down and forced to return immediately.
Have you considered applying for a "study abroad" program in the US? If you get accepted, then you will be able to work limited hours on-campus (and potentially off-campus as part of your studies).
Have you considered applying for a "study abroad" program in the US? If you get accepted, then you will be able to work limited hours on-campus (and potentially off-campus as part of your studies).
You're right, all my life I followed the legal path and I have the intention to keep on it :).
Also, inmigration authorities could get this thread and negate/cancel your visa for ever.
Mariano - email me at [email protected]. If you're going to San Diego, I know of one Argentinian company with offices there so it might be a good way to get in.
Edit: Also, if you're just going to be there for a few months, check out CouchSurfing. I've made friends with people from dozens of countries there and it's a great way to travel.
Edit: Also, if you're just going to be there for a few months, check out CouchSurfing. I've made friends with people from dozens of countries there and it's a great way to travel.
I suggest you try couchsurfing. It will enable you to accomplish all your goals:. -Know about a different culture. -Improve my english skills. -Meet interesting people. at a much lower cost as you wouldn't have to pay hotels/hostels.
Unless you have a work permit, the only way you could "work" would be if you come in on a B1/B2 visa for "business meetings".
But you couldn't get paid by a US office - it would have to be your Argentinian employer paying you and in their interest to have you here for business meetings (of course the US office could reimburse the foreign office for expenses, but now your salary) - that effectively means you will need to interact with a US office of the company you work for in Argentina (or an associated firm, e.g. in the case of the Big Four).
If you come for "business meetings" you should be ready to demonstrate such.
But you couldn't get paid by a US office - it would have to be your Argentinian employer paying you and in their interest to have you here for business meetings (of course the US office could reimburse the foreign office for expenses, but now your salary) - that effectively means you will need to interact with a US office of the company you work for in Argentina (or an associated firm, e.g. in the case of the Big Four).
If you come for "business meetings" you should be ready to demonstrate such.
B1 visa = you cannot earn any money. Business men should show proof of finances to cover their expenses. Employees should show proof of employer paying allowance (not salary).
B2 visa = tourism or family visit.
The only way you could earn money legally is to get a H1 visa or come as a temporary work force (can't remember the visa name).
B2 visa = tourism or family visit.
The only way you could earn money legally is to get a H1 visa or come as a temporary work force (can't remember the visa name).
how does this mesh with paying individuals (who do not hold us work permits) while they are situated outside of the united states? i'm think in particular of small outsourced software development projects.
Read the bit about B1 on this page: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1262.html
okay. but, under what rubric is it legal for a person without us work authorization, situated outside of the us, to be paid by a us person/organization for work done such as developing software?
If you don't have work permit, you cannot work WITHIN the US and get paid a wage/salary by a US person.
What you could do is:
- employed by foreign company
- visit US for MEETINGS with colleagues at a US firm - come up with an agenda (of course you can code during your month here)
- your work cannot be directly FOR a US firm
- the US firm cannot pay you a wage/salary
- the US firm can reimburse your foreign employer for travel/accommodation to/from/in the US, who in turn would presumably cover your expenses while here.
The operative word is "meeting" as opposed to sitting in a cubicle and cranking out code.
What I outlined above is a very common occurrence. Many companies have foreign staff (or staff from foreign associated companies / partners) come in for business meetings.
What you could do is:
- employed by foreign company
- visit US for MEETINGS with colleagues at a US firm - come up with an agenda (of course you can code during your month here)
- your work cannot be directly FOR a US firm
- the US firm cannot pay you a wage/salary
- the US firm can reimburse your foreign employer for travel/accommodation to/from/in the US, who in turn would presumably cover your expenses while here.
The operative word is "meeting" as opposed to sitting in a cubicle and cranking out code.
What I outlined above is a very common occurrence. Many companies have foreign staff (or staff from foreign associated companies / partners) come in for business meetings.
your insights are really helpful. the situation i'm concerned about is quite convoluted (for me). no one without a work-permit has worked _within_ the us, but compensation for a software product was paid directly to the individual. this involved that individual signing a W8BEN. maybe it makes sense for me to contact a lawyer at this point. thanks again,
*edit: i don't know if anyone else is reading this thread, but references for a trustworthy lawyer who can discuss a specific situation via email would be welcome.
*edit: i don't know if anyone else is reading this thread, but references for a trustworthy lawyer who can discuss a specific situation via email would be welcome.
As others have already mentioned, you can't legally do anything considered as work in the United States without a work permit.
If you still want to do it (illegally), which I would strongly recommend against, no legit company will ever hire you, because you will not be able to show the requirement documentation to prove that you're legally allowed to work in the United States. In order for you to get around that hurdle, you'd have to acquire the documents illegally. Or work for a company that hires illegal immigrants.
It's a very bad idea.
If you still want to do it (illegally), which I would strongly recommend against, no legit company will ever hire you, because you will not be able to show the requirement documentation to prove that you're legally allowed to work in the United States. In order for you to get around that hurdle, you'd have to acquire the documents illegally. Or work for a company that hires illegal immigrants.
It's a very bad idea.
Mariano -
Get your papers in order, get on a plane and come. Nevermind the naysayers, just do it. There are 2 kinds of people in the world- talkers and doers. Be a doer! Best of luck, I applaud your ambition.
Get your papers in order, get on a plane and come. Nevermind the naysayers, just do it. There are 2 kinds of people in the world- talkers and doers. Be a doer! Best of luck, I applaud your ambition.
This is insane, this is not an attitud question. Working ilegally in US it's a very bad idea.
I completely agree. The fact that you are a doer, does not imply that what are you doing is beneficial to you.
If you don't have the money, "doers" isn't really an option.
I'd add: Get a credit card or two.
When I come to the US, they asked me a lot of question if I was there for work, and they probably wouldn't let me stay without a credit card.
Don't know why we have been down-voted but it's true that having a credit card is important when you go to the states.
But going there isn't cheap because our currency is devaluated and $4(four pesos) = u$s1(one dollar). So in order to go there, I'll have to work at some place.
I would like to know if there are some companies/startups that hires people like me to work temporarily. I'm a beginner Python/Django programmer and studying Engineering Systems(4th year).
There are programs that make something like this, but I don't like the jobs that they offer to do.
So I ask you guys if this is possible or if I'm crazy.
Thanks a lot, Mariano.