Y Combinator Reaches Farther Beyond Silicon Valley

Re:Y Combinator Reaches Farther Beyond Silicon Valley by _delirium on Thursday December 26, 2013 @01:47PM (#6967378)

A handful of YC participants have mentioned they came on O-1 visas, which are for "extraordinary ability". But for that one, you have to prove that you are already a prominent person in your field to qualify (have published influential papers, have won major awards, have been invited to selective panels/membership bodies in your field, etc.).

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Re:Y Combinator Reaches Farther Beyond Silicon Valley by argonaut on Thursday December 26, 2013 @07:04PM (#6968742)

Keep in mind this is a government agency that does the screening here. I knew someone who was not a "prominent person" in their field who got an O-1 visa with the help of their VC investors / angel investors.

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Re:Y Combinator Reaches Farther Beyond Silicon Valley by jamesmcbennett on Friday December 27, 2013 @11:00AM (#6971093)

On official US Govt site, it says you need an award, e.g. nobel prize for O1. But that is a complete exaggeration as many people have rather average creditentials getting the O1. Having a good degree is enough for several people. Everything in addition helps.

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Re:Y Combinator Reaches Farther Beyond Silicon Valley by argonaut on Saturday December 28, 2013 @02:25AM (#6974311)

Plus if you think about it, if you're in YC, getting PG or Vinod Khosla or Ron Conway (the YC VC people) to sign a letter talking about your "genius" will probably go a long way.

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Re:Y Combinator Reaches Farther Beyond Silicon Valley by untog on Friday December 27, 2013 @06:55AM (#6970331)

Also, many in government are entirely aware that the visa system is broken and do all they can to change it without legislation. Changing the criteria for the O1 is a simple way of freeing up more visas.

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