I will be attending a well-known (obviously not YC) accelerator in US in the fall. But my B1 visa was just denied under section 214b, for apparently "not having convincing reason to returning". What are my options here? Would appreciate help from any immigrant entrepreneurs out there.
Unfortunately after a denial it is much harder to apply again as they'll check your previous application and look for alterations (i.e. lies or additions).<p>A business accelerator doesn't really fall into any one visa category well. Is it a 2-3 month "business meeting" (i.e. B-1), is it educational (i.e. F-1), or even a "short course" eligible under a travel visa (B-2)? All of the above?<p>The reason you got denied is as it says, and while you can re-apply providing more evidence it will be an uphill battle. You just have to show WHY you'll be returning home (e.g. family, a job, other obligations)? By any chance did you list yourself as self-employed, rather than an employee of your own company? They hate self-employed people and often treat them as "unemployed."
They want to see ties to your current country, i.e., reasons why you NEED to leave the US to return after your accelerator program is complete. Do you have a lease? Are you a current student? Do you have family remaining in your home country? Do you have other non-negotiable responsibilities in your home country?<p>B1 is a non-immigrant visa; you need to convince them that you are not going to attempt to immigrate.
Attending an accelerator on B1 visa is always a dicey proposition. On B1, you are not allowed to gainfully employed, i.e. you cannot run a company but you can conduct activities like,<p>a) attending meetings,
b) Solicit sales or investment
c) Make investments or purchases
d) Interview or hire staff, etc etc.<p>As you can see the line is very thin between whats allowed and whats not.
Sorry to hear that. You are better off talking to the accelerator and see if they could move you to another batch. B1 visa is a tricky visa. You need to have clear reasons for returning back to your country. You can show them any liquid and non-liquid asset that you own, maybe an inc. company,etc.
Gotta love our Visa system.<p>Oh, you play videogames professionally? Have a Visa!<p>Oh, you are starting a business? Our economy's bad, but we like it that way. Starting a business might change that. Why don't you learn to play League of Legends or become a fashion model and then try again?