As a "hired brain" for a lot of technology companies, and also one that works with a fair number of startups, we regularly run into issues dealing with visas and bringing foreign workers to the U.S.   I am not going to go on a tirade of whether it is good to have a visa process for foreign workers or not, but, especially in startups, I think there are several compelling reasons to do startup visas (especially with forming companies in the U.S./job creation etc.).  One thing that is for sure, of any startup I have worked with, the most important thing is the synergy between the founding team.

For those of you not aware, there is a bit of a movement to reform the immigration process, and more specifically a movement to change the EB-5 visa requirements to allow not only independently wealthy/job creators to get visas, but also those supported by wealthy parties/investors.

Currently, EB-5 visas enable investors from other countries to get a visa in exchange for starting a business in the US with $1M in investment capital and creating 10 US jobs (or $500K for economically targeted areas).  There is a push, as indicated at (www.startupvisa.com) which would allow an individual to be sponsored by a Qualified Venture Capitalist or a Qualified Super Angel investor who is investing at least $100,000 (Super Angel) or at least $250,000 (VC) in an equity financing of at least $500,000.

It's an interesting topic, and from my perspective, it would allow a lot of companies to migrate or form in the U.S. a lot easier.  And in my humble opinion (which most would argue isn't so humble), it is tough to find a more educated, dedicated, and skilled populace than in the U.S.   Adding a few more highly educated, dedicated, and skilled individuals is just going to add more talent, which is definitely what we want.  More talent, more brains, more skill, equals better products, services, and more inovation.

Thoughts?

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