Is immigrating to the US really that hard for foreign entrepreneurs?
4 comments
I came to the US as a student. I believe this is a very common background story for foreign entrepreneurs.
Is student->H1B->green card the only path available for entrepreneurs looking to set up shop in the US? That is an incredibly long path: especially the H1B->green card step, which can potentially take as long as a decade.
Does anyone know of alternate routes?
Does anyone know of alternate routes?
You can take part in the green card lottery...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diversity_Immigrant_Visa#Winnin...
If you happen to be in Australia or New Zealand and take part for a couple of years, your chances are actually pretty good. Everywhere else, not so much.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diversity_Immigrant_Visa#Winnin...
If you happen to be in Australia or New Zealand and take part for a couple of years, your chances are actually pretty good. Everywhere else, not so much.
I don't think there are too many.
One really roundabout way is for you to own a foreign company which is the majority stakeholder in a US company. Thus, if and when you get funding, you can come on an exec visa (an exec of the parent company). The caveat is that your foreign company must have a steady cashflow as well.
One really roundabout way is for you to own a foreign company which is the majority stakeholder in a US company. Thus, if and when you get funding, you can come on an exec visa (an exec of the parent company). The caveat is that your foreign company must have a steady cashflow as well.
H1B only requires a sponsor who guarantees a position, so you don't need to be a student, only that you have a bachelor degree or the equivalent work experience (which presupposes at least 12 years of active employment). A very complex process, but it's possible.
Why the US? Are you just looking for a bit of a change? If so, you should look at New Zealand!
H1B and O1 are the common visa options, there may also be some canadian specific ones.
I ask because I'm Canadian and I'd like to look into starting a software/biotech company in the US after college (I've heard about the proposed startup visa, but clearly plenty of foreign entrepreneurs are doing just fine without it).