Which visas startups use most
Founders and senior engineers with press, funding, judging or high pay can file any time of year.
Read more H-1BThe default for degreed professionalsRegister in March; plan your candidate list by December.
Read more TN / E-3Canadians, Mexicans, AustraliansFast, lottery-free options for eligible nationals.
Read more EB-2 NIWFounder green cardsSelf-petitioned green cards for founders whose work has national importance.
Read moreCan a startup sponsor an H-1B?
Yes. There's no minimum company size or revenue requirement. USCIS will look for a genuine job, the ability to pay the required wage, and (for founders) a real employer-employee relationship, which a board with the power to hire and fire can provide. Small employers also pay reduced USCIS fees: see the cost calculator.
Why startups choose Gale
- Flat fees that fit a budget. Know the cost of every filing before you start. See pricing.
- No immigration team needed. Founders or a single ops lead can run cases in the dashboard.
- Attorneys who know startups. Evidence strategies for founder O-1As, cap-table questions and new-office L-1s.
Planning your first visa hire?
We'll map the right category and timeline for each candidate.
Frequently asked questions
Can a founder sponsor their own visa?
A founder's U.S. company can petition for them, most often for an O-1A, if the company has a real employer-employee relationship (for example a board that can hire and fire). EB-2 NIW and EB-1A are self-petitioned green card options.
What does it cost a startup to sponsor an H-1B?
Gale's combined fee (platform fee plus the independent attorney's legal fee) for a new H-1B petition is $999. USCIS fees for employers with 25 or fewer employees are reduced, typically about $2,000–$2,500 before optional premium processing.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Immigration rules, fees and processing times change frequently. Confirm current details with USCIS or a licensed immigration attorney.