So, after reading all of the comments and some of the links and not being a lawyer, nor YC founder and residing outside of the US and just been there once on B1

So, after reading all of the comments and some of the links and not being a lawyer, nor YC founder and residing outside of the US and just been there once on B1... The plan: * get to the US first on B1, quite easy to get and relatively applicable for YC * while there, set up a US company and open a branch in your own country and make it to employ you officially * continue to investigate your options and if young file for J1 (internship) or if older file for O1 (achievements) with references from other founders/VCs * don't mess with H1B * worst case scenario if you didn't apply for other kinds of VISA - leave the US and come back periodically on B1 if need be and continue to be employed in your home country by a branch of your company in the US. after a year or so apply for L1 (inter-company transfer) which is almost automatic to get and allows the spouse to work too.