One of the most common visa choices for startup founders is the O-1A visa, which is granted to “individuals with remarkable aptitude.” Why?
No need for a degree Some business owners with advanced degrees and years of experience in the sector founded their first startup. Others leave their studies early to launch their businesses. You don’t need to have any kind of academic degree to apply for the O-1 visa.
There is no set minimum pay, and many founders choose to make less money while keeping more stock. The O-1 does not have any kind of prevailing salary criterion, in contrast to other work visas like the H-1B.
There is no annual cap on the number of O-1 visas issued. There is no lottery system, and you are free to file your O-1 at any time and start working on it.
Those who qualify for premium processing: You can expedite the review of your O-1 visa by paying an additional $2500 to the government and have it done in less than 15 days.
You don’t have to be concerned about your visa expiring because there are unlimited status extensions available. Due to USCIS’s dereference policy, extensions of the O-1 are quite likely to be authorized since it is granted in three-year increments.