LIVING AND WORKING IN SILICON VALLEY

Alicia Saura, MBAwww.SanFranciscoRelocate.comalicia@sanfranciscorelocate.comPhone: +1 415.302.3466

WHAT TYPES OF WORKING VISAS ARE THERE?

HOW DO I GET A GREEN CARD? AND CITIZENSHIP?

WORKING “THE AMERICAN WAY” 1. THE ENGLISH FACTOR / THE SELLING FACTOR 2. WHAT TO DO IN A MEETING (AND AFTER) 3. NETWORKING AND PERSONAL BRANDING 4. GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY 5. THE AMERICAN MENTALITY

INDEX

LIVING “THE AMERICAN WAY”  1. CREDIT SCORE 2. SOCIAL SECURTY NUMBER (SSN) 3. DRIVER’S LICENCE OR ID CARD 6. THE HOUSE MARKET 7. THE SCHOOL SYSTEM 8. THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM 9. WHAT ELSE?

INDEX

H1B - SPECIALITY OCCUPATION VISAUsed for people coming to the USA to work for a US employer in a professional-level position. Valid for 3 years initially, can be extended to 6.   L1 – INTRA-COMPANY TRANSFER VISAUsed to transfer to a US parent, affiliate, subsidiary or branch office an employee from a related foreign company. They must have worked for the transferring employer outside US for at least 1 year in the last 3. Generally issued for a period up to 2 years; they can be renewed indefinitely.  E1 – TREATY TRADER OR TREATY INVESTOR VISA Used for the employees of companies that undertake substantial trade with, or have made substantial investment in the US. E visas are now generally issued for an initial period of up to 2 years; they can be renewed indefinitely.

J1 – EXCHANGE VISA Can be obtained for 18 months through approved J visa programs. The aim of this program is to foster international relations by bringing exchange visitors into the US to acquire skills that can be utilized in their home country

WHAT TYPES OF WORKING VISAS ARE THERE?

DV – DIVERSITY IMMIGRATION VISA (GREEN CARD LOTTERY)The United States Government issues 50,000 permanent Green Cards every year through the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program. Applicants are selected randomly by a computer-generated drawing.

OTHER WAYS: Though family (marriage or sponsored by an immediate relative of a US

resident) Through a job (H1B and L1 visas) Through refugee status (Haiti, Cuba…) Other (air forced members, diplomats, etc…)

You may become a citizen after having the Green card for 5 years (90% of the cases)  

HOW DO I GET A GREEN CARD?

THE LANGUAGE FACTOR Is my English good enough to sell my product?If not, hire someone who can do it.

THE SELLING FACTORWhy (besides the language barrier) I may not be the best person to sell my product?

THE LANGUAGE AND SELLING FACTORS

TIME IS GOLD - The 35-min. meeting

FOLLOW UP - Always!

USE OF LANGUAGE - Not small, but early stage with great potential and proved business plan.

TIPS TO SUCCEED!

WHAT TO DO IN A MEETING (AND AFTER)

Isn’t it rude to always talk about work and what “we do”? Why do they ask me that question wherever I go?

Be ready to do your pitch everywhere…in the elevator, at a barbeque, at a meet up, etc…

Not the time to be modest… Sell yourself like an American!

Use the social media – linkedin, twitter, facebook… and always bring business cards with you… You never know!

THE IMPORTANCE OF NETWORKING AND PERSONAL BRANDING

What is that? Giving back to whom?

Why the concept of “social responsibility” is so important for individuals and companies?

Why do I have to do it and what do I get in return?

THE CONCEPT OF GIVING BACK

Not afraid of failing. They see it as part of the learning process and it’s view as a sing of ambition and courage.

Very competitive. They need to compete with other companies to get funds. They need to gain the trust of investors in a competitive market.

Companies are founded with one purpose: growing, being the best (or fastest) at what they do, and selling within a period of time or going public (IPO)

THE AMERICAN MENTALITY

Do your homework before coming to test the waters on this side of the ocean.

If the prospects look good, come for a month before making the decision of moving the company (or part of it) to Silicon Valley. It’s important to learn first hand terms such as: coopetition, friendemies, on steroids, speed valley, etc…

Prepare yourself. This is the star league and this is a car race. You need a good car (product), good mechanics (team and strategy) and tons of gas to run faster than your competition (venture capitalists’ money)

Surround yourself with a team of very professional people, be ready to give some equity along the way and believe in yourself because luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.

ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT JOINING THE FUN?

Is a numerical expression based on a statistical analysis of a person's credit files, to represent the creditworthiness of that person.

Lenders use credit scores to determine who qualifies for a loan, at what interest rate, and what credit limits.

Credit scoring is not limited to banks. Other organizations, such as mobile phone companies, insurance companies, landlords, and government departments employ the same techniques.

WHAT’S A CREDIT SCORE?

You need it to work, collect Social Security benefits and receive some other government services.

You don’t need it to get a driver’s license, register for school, obtain private health insurance, opening a checking account or rent a house.

Some organizations use Social Security numbers (SSN) to identify you in their records. Most, however, will identify you by some other means if you request it.

To apply you need to have been in the country for at least 10 days and to have a working visa.

WHAT’S A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER?

Can I use my Foreign license to drive in California? If so, for how long?

How do I get a driver’s license? Can I buy a car and get insurance without a SSN? Besides driving, when else do I need to show my

Driver’s license? What’s a DUI? How getting one may affect me?

DO I NEED A CA. DRIVER’S LICENSE OR I.D. CARD ASAP?

How is the house market different from my country (or other parts in US)?

Can I rent a house without a credit score or ssn?

What can I expect to pay per month?

Where should I live?

Let me ask you this: What’s your lifestyle? Do you have children in school age? Where will your office be? Are you planning on getting a car? What’s your budget?...

HOW ABOUT RENTING A HOUSE?

What’s the difference between public and private school? How much can I expect to pay for private schools?

Is there a difference between schools in San Francisco and the rest of the Bay Area?

What’s the admissions’ process like in private schools?

How does the school system differ from the one in my country?

Are my children going to adjust well? What can I do to prepare them for the move to Silicon Valley?

HOW ABOUT SCHOOLS FOR MY KIDS?

How does it work? Is there such a thing as a public health care system or do I always need to buy private insurance?

How about if I am a foreigner? Can I still buy insurance? What are my options and what can I expect to pay?

Does my employer pay for my insurance? How about my family’s?

What are the “other benefits” in the “benefits plan” that my employer is talking to me about?

DO I NEED TO GET A PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN?

Learn new words and expressions that may not have an equivalent in your language. Take advantage of this opportunity to learn English and experiencing a different culture.

Listen to how people talk and try to imitate it as much as possible. Some things may sound weird when translated (both ways)

Be polite. Use words like: would you?... please… thank you…do not use commands even with people you feel close to. It’s very rude.

Do not be late!! Americans are always on time and punctuality is much appreciated, especially when doing business.

WHAT ELSE SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT LIFE IN SILICON VALLEY?

Are you buying organic and do you recycle your trash? Get on board with the California way of doing things. Green is the color.

Is public transportation good or I need a car? What are my options?

How late can I dine/go out?

Why do people smile at me if I do not know them?

Do I need to pay taxes? How does that work?

I’ve heard of the massive tips that Americans leave at the restaurants? Why is that? Do I have to do that as well or it’s optional?

WHAT ELSE SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT LIFE IN SILICON VALLEY?

I hope you learned some interesting and useful things about working and living in Silicon Valley

THE END

Alicia Saura, MBAwww.SanFranciscoRelocate.comalicia@sanfranciscorelocate.comphone: +1 415.302.3466

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