This is an anonymous post from an Elpha member.

Any Non-US citizens/residents that have successfully started a company in the US?

Margert192·Oct 30, 2020

I am a non-US citizen/resident on a H1b visa. My only career goal right now is to start a company. My personal goal is to get my partner who lives abroad to live and work with me in the US. I know that it is not straightforward to start a company in the US as an international person. I am not qualified for an E-2 visa. I am contemplating if I should move back to my home country to start something if there are genuine ways to start up in the US. Any success stories will be really heartening to hear.

teresaman·Oct 30, 2020

I'm not too familiar in this area, but sharing two resources in case they're helpful:https://legalpad.iohttps://www.unshackledvc.com/

aardra·Oct 30, 2020

Hey there, you don't need to be a citizen to start a company in the US. Silicon Valley is full of success stories of immigrant founders. You do need a founder's SSN to start the company. Which I guess, you have, since you are on H1B. US law encourages entrepreneurship, there is an entrepreneur visa as well. There are also B1/B2 visas. But best to get an immigration attorney to help you. Certain home countries (like India) restrict their citizens from forming companies abroad- so you might want to check on regulations in your home country as well.

rema·Nov 03, 2020

Hey there - I could share my experience with you. Started a business without being a resident, then worked my way through the immigration system. Happy to help. Cheers!