Got accepted in an accelerator. What kind of visa?

[Banzai10]

Guys, just got accepted in an acceleration program in Washington D.C. I'm braziliand and now I'm worried regarding what kind os visa should I get.

Do you know if I can establish a new company in US with the B-1 visa? If not what kind of visa should I got for?

Do you give any advice what should I do? I don't have much time, like a month and a few days to get it.

[sadfaceunread]

You are screwed. This is way way too little time to get your visa situation in order. Consult an immigration professional immediately to have any hope of success.

[Banzai10]

I'll do that ASAP.

Thank you very much!

[gamechangr]

I'm an American that has lived abroad twice and spent time in over 50 nations.

You really waited to the last minute on this. Most visas take 3-9 months. I would suggest your best option would be to try to apply for a student visa. I think it's called F-1

[canttestthis]

He can't start a company in the US with an F-1 visa. He can't even work off-campus more than 20 hours / week with an F-1 visa. AND he has to be enrolled in an institution that grants an I-20 and has to take at least 12 credit hours / semester, which I don't think accelerators satisfy.

[Banzai10]

We received the answer from the accelerator 3 days ago, so I'm doing it as fast as I can.

Anyways, thank you for the advice!

[mave99a]

Likely you can get a B1/B2 visa. You should be able to establish a US company with B1/2 visa, however you can't work for it.

* personal opinion only, not a legal advise.

[samiq]

A couple of friends of mine came on a b1 and had no issues in NYC just make sure u bring all the papers and demo with u in case they ask.

[Banzai10]

Great, I'll look to get a B-1 ASAP... Do you know if they told they would be working on a company of theirs?

[samiq]

Yes, they told the immigration officer they were coming to participate of an incubator, to one of the partners then officer asked him to show some papers and the demo. Again u have to remember u r not coming here to stay... Yet. U r here for the program, if u happen to be successful and then find the need to stay u will figure it out with the help of lawyers from the program, but for now focus on the problem at hand, been on the program

[tobylane]

Probably not. The visas are for people who can show an intent to go back home. Starting up a company is one of the better examples of proving you're staying.

EB-1 is the only relevant one I can think of.

[samiq]

Oh and by the way u don't even need a visa to open up a company in the states, u can do that even online, so no worries on that end