alt Hacker NewsHi Peter, I'm from Europe and currently in the US on a B2 visa (I’ve traveled frequently between the US and Europe over the past year, so we chose B2 over ESTA to be safe). I’m preparing my O-1 case to legally work on my startup here. I would love to participate in an accelerator here. This would also strengthen my application for the membership/awards criteria but I am not sure if I am even legally allowed to participate in these programs (e.g. YC) on a B2 before officially having the O-1? Thank you!
First, while acceptance into and participation in an accelerator, particularly a well-known one, definitely moves the needle with O-1 petitions, this can't be counted on as evidence of membership or award. While B-1 status is appropriate for participation in an accelerator, B-2 is not.