For founders and key technical talent outside the U.S. who did not finish their undergraduate degrees, are they in-effect disqualified from H1B and must go the route of an O visa?
Given technical people aren't celebrities or sports figures, beyond conference proceedings, what were the kinds of evidence these kind of applicants presented in support of an O - or another type of visa?
(1) No because their education and experience can be evaluated to be considered the equivalent of a bachelor's degree for H-1B purposes. (2) Publications, journal/conference paper review work or competition (hackathons for example) judging, original and significant contributions, and memberships (requiring outstanding achievements of members).
I am this person. Before the recent changes announced within the last few weeks, the general way this worked was 3 years of work experience == 1 year of degree. I had my work experience (including being a founder) independently evaluated by a recognized professor who attested to that fact and it qualified me for a H1-B.
That said, the total sum of my industry experience at the time exceeded 12 years.
Given technical people aren't celebrities or sports figures, beyond conference proceedings, what were the kinds of evidence these kind of applicants presented in support of an O - or another type of visa?