The Startup Visa® Podcast

Tahmina Watson
The Startup Visa® Podcast

Navigating U.S. immigration laws is one of the biggest hurdles for startups entering the U.S. market—and that’s where The Startup Visa® Podcast comes in! Hosted by Tahmina Watson, bestselling author and top immigration lawyer, this podcast is part of The Startup Visa series, which also includes a comprehensive visa guidebook and a policy book for founders and policymakers alike. Whether you're a U.S. startup struggling to hire global talent, an international entrepreneur looking to break into the U.S. market, or a policy maker working on creative federal and state immigration solutions, this podcast delivers essential insights.  Each episode covers the latest law and policy updates, expert advice, and real-world stories to help you navigate the complex U.S. immigration system. With almost 20 years of legal experience, Tahmina has been a leading advocate for startup visa reform, collaborating with the Obama administration and spearheading initiatives for immigrant entrepreneurs. Tune in for thought-provoking conversations with key policymakers, legal experts, and startup leaders, and stay informed on the latest developments in immigration policies. Ready to learn more about the startup visa and other visa pathways? Subscribe now and explore the Startup Visa® series for a complete toolkit to help you succeed! Get your copy of the bestselling visa guidebook for startups and founders on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or anywhere you get books. The Startup Visa: U.S. Immigration Visa Guide for Startups and Founders: Watson, Tahmina, Doughty, Caroline, Buhain, Venice, Vos, Troy: 9781735758572: Amazon.com: BooksFollow her on LinkedIn to see all her work on startup visa issues and immigration in general. If you have questions, you can send questions from her website at www.watsonimmigrationlaw.com

  1. David Kika: How to move to Canada

    JUN 9

    David Kika: How to move to Canada

    Send us a text Given the various challenges in the United States, many US residents are looking for information about how to immigrate to Canada. Tahmina speaks with David Kika, an immigration expert practicing Canadian immigration law David Kika is a seasoned business immigration professional based in North Vancouver, BC, with deep expertise in Canadian and international immigration pathways. He supports clients with LMIA applications, work permits (including NAFTA/CUSMA, CPTPP, and CETA), and both provincial and federal permanent residence programs such as BC PNP, Express Entry, and others across Canada. David also handles family sponsorships and a range of other immigration applications. Prior to his Canadian practice, he worked in the Czech Republic assisting Japanese automotive executives with European work permits and corporate matters. David brings a global perspective and practical experience to every client he serves. You can contact David at David Kika Immigration Consulting | BBB Business Profile | Better Business Bureau and find him on LinkedIn at David Kika | LinkedIn Tahmina Talks Immigration and The Startup Visa podcast series are produced and edited by Tamanna Jahan.  Check out Tahmina’s books at www.tahminawatson.com and our startup visa series which is intended to be your toolbox for the success of your immigration journey.   And if the world is feeling heavy right now, cultivate joy in your life with Tahmina’s journal Finding Joy series. Here’s a link to her best selling new coloring book: Color Your Joy: Birds and Wildlife Coloring Book: Watson, Tahmina, Jahan, Tamanna, Watson, Sofia, Watson, Sarina: 9798988507239: Amazon.com: Books  Be sure to follow us on our website www.watsonimmigrationlaw.com and Tahmina’s author page on Amazon Amazon Author page and her author website www.tahminawatson.com.  Sign to our blog- and connect with us on on social media: LinkedIn - Watson Immigration Law and Tahmina Watson Twitter - @TahminaTalks Instagram - @TahminaTalks Facebook - Watson Immigration Law Find us at watsonimmigrationlaw.com

    46 min
  2. WA Senator Vandana Slatter on the Importance of Immigrant Entrepreneurs

    JUN 9

    WA Senator Vandana Slatter on the Importance of Immigrant Entrepreneurs

    Send us a text Senator Slatter helped pass state funding for a Washington State immigrant entrepreneur program, one of a handful in the entire country. Tahmina sits down to speak with her.  Senator Vandana Slatter (D–WA 48th District) is a pharmacist, biotech professional, and trailblazing lawmaker who brings science, compassion, and equity to public service. Currently Vice Chair of the Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee, she also serves on the Health and Higher Education committees. A former Bellevue City Councilmember and four-term State House Representative, Vandana was the first Indian-American elected to the Washington State House. Her work has championed climate policy, healthcare privacy, education access, and innovation. A naturalized citizen, community leader, and public school parent, Vandana’s journey from pharmacy to policy is grounded in service, representation, and creating opportunity for all. You can learn more about Senator Slatter at Vandana Slatter for State Senate | Meet Vandana Tahmina Talks Immigration and The Startup Visa podcast series are produced and edited by Tamanna Jahan.  Check out Tahmina’s books at www.tahminawatson.com and our startup visa series which is intended to be your toolbox for the success of your immigration journey.   And if the world is feeling heavy right now, cultivate joy in your life with Tahmina’s journal Finding Joy series. Here’s a link to her best selling new coloring book: Color Your Joy: Birds and Wildlife Coloring Book: Watson, Tahmina, Jahan, Tamanna, Watson, Sofia, Watson, Sarina: 9798988507239: Amazon.com: Books  Be sure to follow us on our website www.watsonimmigrationlaw.com and Tahmina’s author page on Amazon Amazon Author page and her author website www.tahminawatson.com.  Sign to our blog- and connect with us on on social media: LinkedIn - Watson Immigration Law and Tahmina Watson Twitter - @TahminaTalks Instagram - @TahminaTalks Facebook - Watson Immigration Law Find us at watsonimmigrationlaw.com

    44 min
  3. Chris Bloomquist- Founding Partner, Talent Mine

    MAR 21

    Chris Bloomquist- Founding Partner, Talent Mine

    Send us a text In this episode, our guest is Chris Bloomquist. He is a 20 year veteran to the technology industry, a 2 time startup founder and expanding into the climate and environmental recruiting industries.  He has a passion to tell the stories of impactful environmental organizations, leveraging his executive level recruitment expertise to put inspiring people to work, and believes that equitable hiring and employment should be a basic human right. He also serve as the Vice Chairman of the KD Hall Foundation as a male ally, serving minority girls and women in their education and employment growth. He is a father, husband, adult Lego enthusiast, ultimate frisbee and cross country coach and enjoys a good Star Wars movie as much as a tasty food documentary.  Links to connect with Chris: About Us | The Talent Mine (2) Chris Bloomquist | LinkedIn Tahmina Talks Immigration and The Startup Visa podcast series are produced and edited by Tamanna Jahan.  Check out Tahmina’s books at www.tahminawatson.com and our startup visa series which is intended to be your toolbox for the success of your immigration journey.   Here is a link to her bestselling visa guide book: The Startup Visa: U.S. Immigration Visa Guide for Startups and Founders: Watson, Tahmina, Doughty, Caroline, Buhain, Venice, Vos, Troy: 9781735758572: Amazon.com: Books Here is her policy book: The Startup Visa: Key to Job Growth & Economic Prosperity in America: Watson, Tahmina, Turnbull, Lornet, Feld, Brad: 9781735758534: Amazon.com: Books Be sure to follow us on our website www.watsonimmigrationlaw.com  Sign up to our blog- and connect with us on social media: LinkedIn - Watson Immigration Law and Tahmina Watson Twitter - @TahminaTalks Instagram - @TahminaTalks Facebook - Watson Immigration Law Find us at watsonimmigrationlaw.com

    43 min
  4. Veronica Heller, Managing Director, Delver Agents- From Visa to Green Card as a Founder

    12/02/2024

    Veronica Heller, Managing Director, Delver Agents- From Visa to Green Card as a Founder

    Send us a text In this episode of the Startup Visa Series, I speak with Veronica, Founder and Managing Director of Sealand Ship Agents and Suppliers & Delver Agents. Veronica transformed Delver Agents into the premier cruise ship agency and supplier in Ushuaia, Argentina, working with exclusive boutique operators, mainstream cruise lines, and expedition cruise companies worldwide. She specializes in creating innovative services, solving complex problems, and building strong connections. Veronica holds degrees in Natural Science & Human Arts, Law, International Commerce, and is trained in Environmental Management and International Security. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I enjoyed sitting down with her! You can learn more about veronica and Delver Agents at Delver Agents: Ship Agents and Suppliers | South America Special thanks to our season sponsor, Pinnacle Plan Writing for making these episodes possible. You can visit their website at https://www.pinnacleplanwriting.com/ The Startup Visa podcast series is produced and edited by Tamanna Jahan and Sana Dawa.  The startup visa series is intended to be your toolbox for the success of your immigration journey.  Together with this podcast, we invite you to read Tahmina’s The Startup Visa Book series. Here is a link to her bestselling visa guide book: The Startup Visa: U.S. Immigration Visa Guide for Startups and Founders: Watson, Tahmina, Doughty, Caroline, Buhain, Venice, Vos, Troy: 9781735758572: Amazon.com: Books Here is her policy book: The Startup Visa: Key to Job Growth & Economic Prosperity in America: Watson, Tahmina, Turnbull, Lornet, Feld, Brad: 9781735758534: Amazon.com: Books Be sure to follow us on our website www.watsonimmigrationlaw.com and Tahmina’s author page on Amazon Amazon Author page and her author website www.tahminawatson.com.  Sign to our blog- and connect with us on on social media: LinkedIn - Watson Immigration Law and Tahmina Watson Twitter - @TahminaTalks Instagram - @TahminaTalks Facebook - Watson Immigration Law Find us at watsonimmigrationlaw.com

    30 min
  5. Connor O'Brien, Economic Innovation Group and Heartland Visas

    11/25/2024

    Connor O'Brien, Economic Innovation Group and Heartland Visas

    Send us a text In this episode of the Startup Visa Series, I speak with Connor O'Brien, a Research and Policy Analyst at the Economic Innovation Group (EIG), where he focuses on high-skilled immigration reform and innovation policy. His research has been cited by media outlets such as Axios, Bloomberg, and the New York Times, and his writing has appeared in Newsweek, National Review, and City Journal. Connor holds degrees from Rutgers University and the University of Chicago. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I enjoyed sitting down with him!In this episode of the Startup Visa Series, I speak with Steve Tobocman, an innovator and leader in the nonprofit, political, and economic fields. Steve has launched several successful nonprofit initiatives, including Global Detroit, WE Global Network, and ProsperUS Detroit, and has built a notable political career as a state legislator. His work has been recognized nationally, and he continues to maintain active networks in politics, immigrant economic development, and community economic development. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I enjoyed sitting down with him! You can learn more about Connor and EIG Home - Economic Innovation Group Special thanks to our season sponsor, Pinnacle Plan Writing for making these episodes possible. You can visit their website at https://www.pinnacleplanwriting.com/ The Startup Visa podcast series is produced and edited by Tamanna Jahan and Sana Dawa.  The startup visa series is intended to be your toolbox for the success of your immigration journey.  Together with this podcast, we invite you to read Tahmina’s The Startup Visa Book series. Here is a link to her bestselling visa guide book: The Startup Visa: U.S. Immigration Visa Guide for Startups and Founders: Watson, Tahmina, Doughty, Caroline, Buhain, Venice, Vos, Troy: 9781735758572: Amazon.com: Books Here is her policy book: The Startup Visa: Key to Job Growth & Economic Prosperity in America: Watson, Tahmina, Turnbull, Lornet, Feld, Brad: 9781735758534: Amazon.com: Books Sign to our blog- and connect with us on on social media: LinkedIn - Watson Immigration Law and Tahmina Watson Twitter - @TahminaTalks Instagram - @TahminaTalks Facebook - Watson Immigration Law Find us at watsonimmigrationlaw.com

    32 min
  6. Steve Tobocman, Executive Director, Global Detroit and The Global EIR Program

    11/18/2024

    Steve Tobocman, Executive Director, Global Detroit and The Global EIR Program

    Send us a text In this episode of the Startup Visa Series, I speak with Steve Tobocman, an innovator and leader in the nonprofit, political, and economic fields. Steve has launched several successful nonprofit initiatives, including Global Detroit, WE Global Network, and ProsperUS Detroit, and has built a notable political career as a state legislator. His work has been recognized nationally, and he continues to maintain active networks in politics, immigrant economic development, and community economic development. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I enjoyed sitting down with him! You can learn more about Global Detroit at Home - Global Detroit This season is dedicated Tahmina’s dearest mentor, and immigration lawyer extraordinaire Joel Paget who passed away. You can read about his incredible life story here. May his legacy continue for generations.  Special thanks to our season sponsor, Pinnacle Plan Writing for making these episodes possible. You can visit their website at https://www.pinnacleplanwriting.com/ The Startup Visa podcast series is produced and edited by Tamanna Jahan and Sana Dawa.  The startup visa series is intended to be your toolbox for the success of your immigration journey.  Together with this podcast, we invite you to read Tahmina’s The Startup Visa Book series. Here is a link to her bestselling visa guide book: The Startup Visa: U.S. Immigration Visa Guide for Startups and Founders: Watson, Tahmina, Doughty, Caroline, Buhain, Venice, Vos, Troy: 9781735758572: Amazon.com: Books Here is her policy book: The Startup Visa: Key to Job Growth & Economic Prosperity in America: Watson, Tahmina, Turnbull, Lornet, Feld, Brad: 9781735758534: Amazon.com: Books Be sure to follow us on our website www.watsonimmigrationlaw.com and Tahmina’s author page on Amazon Amazon Author page and her author website www.tahminawatson.com.  Sign to our blog- and connect with us on on social media: LinkedIn - Watson Immigration Law and Tahmina Watson Twitter - @TahminaTalks Instagram - @TahminaTalks Facebook - Watson I Find us at watsonimmigrationlaw.com

    48 min
  7. Craig Montuori, Co-Founder, Global Entrepreneur in Residence Coalition

    11/12/2024

    Craig Montuori, Co-Founder, Global Entrepreneur in Residence Coalition

    Send us a text In this episode of the Startup Visa Series, I speak with Craig Montuori, Co-Founder Global Entrepreneur in Residence Coalition. He is also the Co-Founder of the C19 Coalition and was previously the founding partner of Venture Politics, where he advised numerous political campaigns on engaging the startup community and lobbied Capitol Hill offices and the White House on behalf of early-stage startups. Hope you enjoy listening to this interview as much as I enjoyed interviewing him! This season is dedicated Tahmina’s dearest mentor, and immigration lawyer extraordinaire Joel Paget who passed away. You can read about his incredible life story here. May his legacy continue for generations.  Special thanks to our season sponsor, Pinnacle Plan Writing for making these episodes possible. You can visit their website at https://www.pinnacleplanwriting.com/ The Startup Visa podcast series is produced and edited by Tamanna Jahan and Sana Dawa.  The startup visa series is intended to be your toolbox for the success of your immigration journey.  Together with this podcast, we invite you to read Tahmina’s The Startup Visa Book series. Here is a link to her bestselling visa guide book: The Startup Visa: U.S. Immigration Visa Guide for Startups and Founders: Watson, Tahmina, Doughty, Caroline, Buhain, Venice, Vos, Troy: 9781735758572: Amazon.com: Books Here is her policy book: The Startup Visa: Key to Job Growth & Economic Prosperity in America: Watson, Tahmina, Turnbull, Lornet, Feld, Brad: 9781735758534: Amazon.com: Books Be sure to follow us on our website www.watsonimmigrationlaw.com and Tahmina’s author page on Amazon Amazon Author page and her author website www.tahminawatson.com.  Sign to our blog- and connect with us on on social media: LinkedIn - Watson Immigration Law and Tahmina Watson Twitter - @TahminaTalks Instagram - @TahminaTalks Facebook - Find us at watsonimmigrationlaw.com

    42 min
  8. Jennifer Weinhart- Senior Policy Advisor at Engine on Visas for Startups

    11/04/2024

    Jennifer Weinhart- Senior Policy Advisor at Engine on Visas for Startups

    Send us a text In this episode, I interview Jennifer Weinhart, Senior Policy Advisor at Engine. Engine supports the growth of technology entrepreneurship through economic research, policy analysis, and advocacy on local and national issues. It is the voice of startups in government. In addition, Jennifer and Tahmina co-authored an OpEd published in The Hill- Opinion: Green cards for international graduates: A rare bipartisan opportunity  Hope you enjoy listening to the podcast and reading the OpEd.  This season is dedicated Tahmina’s dearest mentor, and immigration lawyer extraordinaire Joel Paget who passed away. He was one of the first guests of Tahmina’s broadcasting journey starting in 2015. You can listen to his episode here and you can read about his incredible life story here. May his legacy continue for generations.  Special thanks to our season sponsor, Pinnacle Plan Writing for making these episodes possible. You can visit their website at https://www.pinnacleplanwriting.com/ The Startup Visa podcast series is produced and edited by Tamanna Jahan and Sana Dawa.  The startup visa series is intended to be your toolbox for the success of your immigration journey.  Together with this podcast, we invite you to read Tahmina’s The Startup Visa Book series. Here is a link to her bestselling visa guide book: The Startup Visa: U.S. Immigration Visa Guide for Startups and Founders: Watson, Tahmina, Doughty, Caroline, Buhain, Venice, Vos, Troy: 9781735758572: Amazon.com: Books Here is her policy book: The Startup Visa: Key to Job Growth & Economic Prosperity in America: Watson, Tahmina, Turnbull, Lornet, Feld, Brad: 9781735758534: Amazon.com: Books Be sure to follow us on our website www.watsonimmigrationlaw.com and Tahmina’s author page on Amazon Amazon Author page and her author website www.tahminawatson.com.  Sign to our blog- and connect with us on on social media: LinkedIn - Find us at watsonimmigrationlaw.com

    37 min

About

Navigating U.S. immigration laws is one of the biggest hurdles for startups entering the U.S. market—and that’s where The Startup Visa® Podcast comes in! Hosted by Tahmina Watson, bestselling author and top immigration lawyer, this podcast is part of The Startup Visa series, which also includes a comprehensive visa guidebook and a policy book for founders and policymakers alike. Whether you're a U.S. startup struggling to hire global talent, an international entrepreneur looking to break into the U.S. market, or a policy maker working on creative federal and state immigration solutions, this podcast delivers essential insights.  Each episode covers the latest law and policy updates, expert advice, and real-world stories to help you navigate the complex U.S. immigration system. With almost 20 years of legal experience, Tahmina has been a leading advocate for startup visa reform, collaborating with the Obama administration and spearheading initiatives for immigrant entrepreneurs. Tune in for thought-provoking conversations with key policymakers, legal experts, and startup leaders, and stay informed on the latest developments in immigration policies. Ready to learn more about the startup visa and other visa pathways? Subscribe now and explore the Startup Visa® series for a complete toolkit to help you succeed! Get your copy of the bestselling visa guidebook for startups and founders on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or anywhere you get books. The Startup Visa: U.S. Immigration Visa Guide for Startups and Founders: Watson, Tahmina, Doughty, Caroline, Buhain, Venice, Vos, Troy: 9781735758572: Amazon.com: BooksFollow her on LinkedIn to see all her work on startup visa issues and immigration in general. If you have questions, you can send questions from her website at www.watsonimmigrationlaw.com

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.

Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada