[pclark]

do from YC till fund raising under visa waiver program. Don't get a B-1 because you'll probably get rejected and this raises lots of suspicion whenever you enter USA in the future as you have to declare it.

If more than 2 co-founders and you all have degrees, get H1Bs.

If less than 3 co-founders or no degrees, crush it some more and get O-1.

If you have not raised significant (eg: $1M+) capital by demo day you will not be able to get a visa, go back home, iterate, come back under VWP when you can raise capital, then get visa. It is a tremendous stress.

[ig1]

If you're from a country which has a visa waiver program in place you don't need a B1. The visa waiver is usable for tourist or business purposes with business purposes being those defined under a B1 visa.

If you come from a country which doesn't have a visa waiver program in place then the B1 is your only option I believe.

[pclark]

the problem with vwp is you can only stay 90 days and you really need 180 days for yc + fund raising

[ig1]

Can you fly out the country and come back again for another 90 days ?

[pclark]

In theory if you can prove you do not live in USA. It's a stress.