[lafalce]

Hi Peter, thanks for your time :)

I am planning to move to San Francisco to join the startup ecosystem. Regarding the H-1B visa, what does the current process and timeline look like for a new applicant? Given the lottery constraints, are there specific 'red flags' or common mistakes I should avoid when looking for a sponsor?

[proberts]

The issue right now is that if you are sponsored for an H-1B while outside the U.S., the sponsoring employer will be subject to the additional $100K payment and this of course will dissuade most potential employers.