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What the startup visa should really look like

eliasbizannes.com

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Re: What the startup visa should really look like

#2
What is so important to actually relocate to the U.S. rather than any other country, or stay where you are? (if you are lucky to be somewhere that's safe and respectful to your way of life). I travel to and partner with the U.S. as a core part of my work but it's never been something I considered to actually permanently move there - you can open a business and a bank account remotely, run your S corp* etc. Is it because funding is hard to find, and harder to find if you are not actually living in NYC or SF? Are there not easier countries to move to, if you're looking to relocate for reasons other than financial, and run your U.S based company remotely? I don't think that there is any shortage of Comp Sci graduates anywhere in the OECD for those looking to hire.

* edit (C corp or LLC)

Re: What the startup visa should really look like

#3
post #2

What is so important to actually relocate to the U.S. rather than any other country, or stay where you are? (if you are lucky to be somewhere that's safe and respectful to your way of life). I travel to and partner with the U.S. as a core part of my work but it's never been something I considered to actually permanently move there - you can open a business and a bank account remotely, run your S corp* etc. Is it beca…

You can't own an S corp unless you're a US resident (citizen or GC holder).

Re: What the startup visa should really look like

#4
post #3
post #2

What is so important to actually relocate to the U.S. rather than any other country, or stay where you are? (if you are lucky to be somewhere that's safe and respectful to your way of life). I travel to and partner with the U.S. as a core part of my work but it's never been something I considered to actually permanently move there - you can open a business and a bank account remotely, run your S corp* etc. Is it beca…

You can't own an S corp unless you're a US resident (citizen or GC holder).

But you can own a C-Corp, which is what a venture-funded startup needs to be

Re: What the startup visa should really look like

#5
Here's my story. I had H-1b for more than 3 years. I know for sure that I was taking someone's job - there's no doubt about that. When I finally got my green card - I quit the next day to start my own company. Now I create jobs.

So it took me 3 years until I could start creating jobs in the US. In my opinion US government should provide incentives for the foreigners to CREATE jobs, not TAKE them. Right now it's exactly the opposite.

This OP's point is I think the most important part of this blog post: "And allow them to graduate into new visa's (like a greencard) once certain milestones have been hit like revenue thresholds (tax paid) and employment (aggregate demand in the economy increases)."

Re: What the startup visa should really look like

#6
post #4
post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You can't own an S corp unless you're a US resident (citizen or GC holder).

But you can own a C-Corp, which is what a venture-funded startup needs to be

Agreed, but not every single new business is focused on raising VC capital

Re: What the startup visa should really look like

#7
post #3
post #2

What is so important to actually relocate to the U.S. rather than any other country, or stay where you are? (if you are lucky to be somewhere that's safe and respectful to your way of life). I travel to and partner with the U.S. as a core part of my work but it's never been something I considered to actually permanently move there - you can open a business and a bank account remotely, run your S corp* etc. Is it beca…

You can't own an S corp unless you're a US resident (citizen or GC holder).

You can also be the sole member of an LLC, which is sufficient for having a U.S. bank account and doing business, if you're not looking for VC funds. Real estate agents deal with these kinds of LLC setups anytime for foreign real estate purchases.

Re: What the startup visa should really look like

#9
post #5

Here's my story. I had H-1b for more than 3 years. I know for sure that I was taking someone's job - there's no doubt about that. When I finally got my green card - I quit the next day to start my own company. Now I create jobs. So it took me 3 years until I could start creating jobs in the US. In my opinion US government should provide incentives for the foreigners to CREATE jobs, not TAKE them. Right now it's exact…

The US does offer a program like this, which the author referred to, and is the EB-5 program. It requires you to invest $1MM in the US and create 10 jobs ($500k and 10 jobs in economic development zones). You can go from a visa to a green card within 3-4 years after proving your investment and the creating of 10 jobs.

Re: What the startup visa should really look like

#10
post #5

Here's my story. I had H-1b for more than 3 years. I know for sure that I was taking someone's job - there's no doubt about that. When I finally got my green card - I quit the next day to start my own company. Now I create jobs. So it took me 3 years until I could start creating jobs in the US. In my opinion US government should provide incentives for the foreigners to CREATE jobs, not TAKE them. Right now it's exact…

The US does offer a program like this, which the author referred to, and is the EB-5 program. It requires you to invest $1MM in the US and create 10 jobs ($500k and 10 jobs in economic development zones). You can go from a visa to a green card within 3-4 years after proving your investment and the creating of 10 jobs.

I just read up on this. It works if you have that much capital at the start but what if you don't? What is the alternative for say people, who are fresh out of school and have a bunch of ideas and might in 3-4 years time create value and jobs worth that number or even twice it.
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