I’m not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Can I work on my startup in the U.S.?

TLDR: You must be authorized to work in the U.S. and be careful to comply with applicable visa rules.

To work at a start-up in the U.S., you must be authorized to work in the United States, either as a U.S. citizen, a permanent resident (a “green card” holder), or under a visa that authorizes employment. There are various visas that can apply to startup founders, such as the O-1, E-2, L-1 and others depending on the circumstances. Some visas, such as the B-1 or H1B visa, carry important restrictions, so be careful to always comply with the terms of your visa.

If you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident but wish to work at a start-up in the U.S., you should consult with an immigration attorney to explore your options. There are many immigration attorneys who focus specifically on these issues.

Note that even if you are not authorized to work in the U.S., you are able to own equity in a U.S. corporation and serve on the board of directors of a corporation.

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