Accepted into a US Accelerator? Here’s Your Visa Prep Checklist

Congratulations on getting accepted into a US accelerator program. It’s a significant achievement, as you must have reached the top 1-3% of applicants to secure your place.

Landing a coveted spot in a US accelerator program is a major milestone for any international founder, but before you can reap the benefits, the complex US visa process stands between you and your new venture.

Navigating tight timelines, varying visa categories (like ESTA, B-1, and O-1), and mountains of documentation can feel daunting, leaving even the most prepared entrepreneurs at risk of costly delays or missed opportunities.

At Deel, we’re trusted by global founders and startup leaders because we deeply understand the unique hurdles of relocating for growth—our immigration experts have streamlined hundreds of successful US entries, helping founders focus on innovation, not bureaucracy.

In this article, we walk you through Deel’s proven visa prep checklist, highlighting best practices, insider tips, and compliance essentials tailored to startup cohorts. With Deel Immigration by your side, you gain a faster, stress-free path, ensuring you walk into your accelerator program on time and ready to build, with every legal detail handled by specialists who have done it all before.

Visa checklist for US accelerator programs

There are different routes into the US for those entering a startup accelerator program. The ideal one depends on several factors, including your home country, family situation, and business type.

That being said, here’s a list of what most applicants need to consider:

Let’s explore what all the items on the checklist mean and why you need to cross them off to prepare for your move to the US.

Decide on your route into the US

Due to a time crunch, many startup founders travel on a short-term visa to the US. The two most common options if you wish to take this route are:

1. The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) and
2. The B-1 (Temporary Business Visitor) visa

For ESTA, you must complete a simple online application, which takes 72 hours to process. Once approved, you can travel to the US for up to 90 days while you arrange your long-term visa.

While quick, there are a couple of drawbacks with the ESTA.

First, you cannot work or conduct hands-on business with the ESTA. This means you are limited in building your products, hiring, or fundraising in a formal capacity.

The second drawback is that only around 42 nationalities are eligible for the ESTA.

If your country isn’t on the list, consider obtaining a B-1 or B-2 visa. These have a more involved application process but let you stay in the US for up to six months.

To apply for a B-1 visa, you’ll need to:

• Complete Form DS-160
• Schedule a visa interview at the consulate of your choice
• Compile the required documents

At the interview, you can expect to answer questions about why you want to visit the United States, your annual income, your family setup, your plans to return to your home country, and so on.

A B-1 visa offers more flexibility than ESTA. With a B-1 visa, you can pitch to investors, negotiate contracts, and conduct business planning. However, you cannot work or earn a salary from a US company.

Consult with an immigration service like Deel Immigration before you apply for a short-term visa. They can confirm you meet all the eligibility criteria and indicate any potential issues. Perhaps you’d like to travel during your stay — they might advise you to apply for a B-2 visa as it’s for mixed business and tourism.

Choose a long-term visa

Your next step is to decide which work visa best suits your needs. There are two main options: the O-1 and the L-1.

The O-1 visa is for individuals in the top percent of their field. They must demonstrate the requisite expertise and intend to continue their work in the US.

Getting into an accelerator means you’re already in the top 1%. That alone makes you a strong candidate for the visa.

Many foreign entrepreneurs choose the O-1 for its flexibility. You can stay on the visa for up to three years and apply for unlimited extensions.

However, dependents aren’t eligible for work authorization under the O-1 visa. They must apply for a change of status after they enter the US.

Heads up: You can’t apply for or switch to an O-1 visa while in the US on the ESTA. You’ll need to leave the country and apply from your home country (or another country where you’re eligible). Plan accordingly.

Consider the L-1 instead if your spouse intends to work from the US. The L-2 dependent visa automatically gives them the right to employment. Either your partner can look for jobs within the country or continue doing their current job remotely.

Whoever’s running your early-stage accelerator program is likely to have valuable insights. After all, they’ve watched hundreds of other participants go through the same process. Ask them which visa routes have had the highest success rates and the fewest complications in recent years.

Gather the paperwork

Once you decide on your visas, start collecting all the required documents. Some paperwork might take weeks to arrange, so it’s best to get a head start (say at least 4 months from when you need to be in the US)

Here’s a closer look at what you’d need for the O-1 visa:

• Visa forms: All applicants can download Form-129 (Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker) from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website
• Visa forms for dependents: Assuming your family is applying from within the US, they should fill out Form I-539. You need to attach a copy of your visa approval notice
• Premium processing: If you’re short on time, you can submit Form I-907 to expedite your visa application
• A valid travel document: Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond the end of your expected stay
• A reference letter: O-1 applicants must provide a letter from a peer group recognizing their expertise. A letter from whoever runs your accelerator program should be acceptable
• Evidence of a relationship with the petitioner: You must arrange for someone to petition on your behalf and get a signed agreement. That person can be a US member of your startup or a professional service like Deel Immigration
• Business plans and itineraries: You should outline what you expect to accomplish in the US so officials can check that it matches your expertise

USCIS recognizes that not everyone finishes formal education. For the O-1, you don’t need a high school diploma or a degree certificate, provided you fulfill the other visa requirements.

In addition to these documents, you must meet three of the seven criteria demonstrating extraordinary ability in your field:

• Significant contributions like new inventions or scientific breakthroughs
• A nationally or internationally recognized award
• Employment at a world-renowned organization
• High earnings in a previous role or high projected earnings for your startup
• Membership in an elite association (awarded based on your credentials)
• Articles about your work in highly regarded publications
• Academic materials you authored or co-authored
• Experience on a panel judging the work of others

While USCIS provides detailed guidelines, there isn’t a list of required paperwork. You must decide for yourself which documents best support your case. The accelerator program may count as membership in an association, taking care of one criterion already.

Get our Guide to US Startup Visas for a more in-depth analysis of the O-1 requirements.

Submit the visa application

You can apply for the visa once you’ve prepared all the supporting documents. The O-1 doesn’t have fixed dates like many other non-immigration categories, so you can choose a time that suits you.

Bear in mind that visa processing takes anywhere between two and six months. It may be longer if USCIS finds your application incomplete and requests further evidence.

If you’re applying from outside of the country, apply as far in advance as possible to create a buffer.

Sometimes, US accelerator programs only give you a few months to prepare. In such cases, your only option is to apply for premium processing to get the visa approved within 15 days.

If you do face issues, ask the program operators for support. While they can’t adjust the start date, they may be able to assist. For example, Techstars has partnered with Deel Immigration to offer foreign entrepreneurs guidance and help with unforeseen issues.

You’ll need to pay the filing fees when you submit. The current cost is $2,805 (USD) for Form I-129. Alongside the premium processing fees, you can expect to pay north of $4000 for yourself.

Deel Immigration lets you monitor your progress every step of the way. Simply log in to the dashboard to view your current status and any outstanding tasks. Got a question? Contact your case manager directly via the platform to get answers and reassurance.

Common visa prep pitfalls to avoid

These common pitfalls could still derail your visa application if you’re not careful.

Treating the visa application as an afterthought

After getting into an accelerator, most founders dive into fundraising or perfecting their pitch, and assume the visa will fall into place. It won’t.

What you should do instead is:

• Book your embassy or consulate appointment early, as some countries have huge wait times.
• Practice consular interview questions.
• Bring printed copies of everything, even if submitted online.
• Buy a round-trip ticket (one-way may raise flags on tourist/B-1 visas).

You can also talk to legal counsel or an immigration service like Deel Immigration, gather documentation, and plan around embassy timelines.

Choosing the wrong short-term entry strategy

Founders sometimes think that all they need to do is enter the United States and not worry about the type of visa they’re on.

With stricter immigration laws and whatnot, you must nail your strategy from the start.

Only use a short-term option if you understand the limits. If you plan to apply for an O-1 or another type of visa, work with experts to map out when and where you’ll submit it.

Not planning for dependents

If your partner or kids are coming with you, they’ll need their own paperwork. So consider them as you file yours.

Failure to plan for them could cause delays, mismatched deadlines, or increased stress.

You can use Deel to handle these types of issues.

Underpreparing supporting documents

USCIS wants as much proof as possible. However, many founders underestimate how much detail is required for an O-1 visa or get bogged down trying to find evidence at the last minute.

To avoid this issue, start collecting documents as soon as you can. These documents could include media coverage pieces, strong letters of recommendation, and proof of funding or traction.

What’s next after the accelerator program?

Once you’ve established your startup in the US, you may decide to stay there long-term. That way, you can take advantage of the accelerator program’s ongoing support for alumni. Most startup founders are eligible for permanent residency through one of the following Green Card classifications:

• EB-1A: Applicants must demonstrate they’ve got outstanding abilities in their field. Alternatively, you can file as a multinational manager or executive
• EB-NIW: You must prove you have an advanced degree or exceptional abilities. The requirements are generally less stringent than the EB-1A

While considering your next move, stay compliant with the conditions of your current visa. Namely, you mustn’t change the type of work you do without amending the original petition. USCIS may revoke your visa status if discovers you’re not adhering to the purpose of your stay.

Get your startup over the finishing line with Deel Immigration

Visas can pose a significant hurdle for foreign startups participating in international accelerator programs. Your strategies must factor in the complex application process and your business plans.

Outsourcing to a leading immigration service like Deel Immigration can reduce the risk of complications and delays. We handle all the complexities, like eligibility criteria, forms, and deadlines. Meanwhile, you can focus on preparing for the upcoming move and the program.

Deel Immigration can handle most aspects of the visa process, including eligibility checks, application forms, and submission. You can track your status via the dashboard and contact your dedicated case manager with any questions.

We assist you in developing a strong proposal and choosing the right documents to support your case.

Schedule a free consultation to learn how our visa, immigration, and relocation services can support your startup journey.