No sponsor? Create your own job by founding a startup
Your employer doesn't have to be someone else. Here's how founders sponsor their own visa.
Stop waiting for the lottery
The H-1B is a lottery tied to an employer. A talent visa is merit-based. Founders build the merit themselves: a product, users, revenue, press and funding.
Build a real product
Officers want proof of original contributions. A shipped product with real users is one of the strongest pieces of evidence. In the UpskillPM program you build and launch one with mentors.
Make your role critical
As founder/CEO or CTO, you hold a critical role at a distinguished organization — one of the O-1 criteria. Document it with org charts, investor updates and customer letters.
Incorporate properly
Form a U.S. entity, set up a board that can hire and fire you, and keep your cap table clean. Talk to an immigration attorney before filing.
Want help building your case?
Build a product with UpskillPM, get recommendation letters and record a founder podcast.