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Thank you for hosting another session Peter. I'm an Indian H1-B guy working on an MVP with a green card holder here in California. I'm working for an employer r

Thank you for hosting another session Peter. I'm an Indian H1-B guy working on an MVP with a green card holder here in California. I'm working for an employer right now, but really willing to jump on my project full time if it shows promise. We're not going to make any income from it until we raise money from VC's so I assume it is safe to keep doing this? Also, when the time comes, how do you suggest that I jump on it? There are a few options I have: - Found a company but be a salaried person on payroll, along with a risk of being "fireable" - Go with "Unshackled", who would take care of everything for me. Are there any drawbacks with this method that you foresee? - I also have an option to move on to H4 EAD, but I'm worried because of the flaky nature of this status. Can you provide some thoughts on these and weigh in on the different gotchas and pros/cons involved? Thanks a ton!

proberts 6y ago
Broadly, there are two challenges: building a company without crossing the line into unauthorized employment and getting authorization to work for a company you founded/own. Beyond not getting paid, the line mentioned above is a grey and nuanced one; the very general rule of thumb is that its time to get work authorization when the side project is no longer a side project. The work authorization options are the H-4 EAD, as you note, which almost certainly will remain untouched if there's a change in administration, a concurrent part-time H-1B, which would allow you to continue working for your current H-1B employer, the O-1, a high standard but ownership and control are not really issues, and the H-1B, with ownership and control stumbling blocks.
- princevegeta89 6y ago
  Thank you! This is much helpful. Can you provide some insight on Unshackled as well if you don't mind? I don't know anyone who has had a first-hand experience with it so I was just wondering.

proberts 6y ago

Broadly, there are two challenges: building a company without crossing the line into unauthorized employment and getting authorization to work for a company you founded/own. Beyond not getting paid, the line mentioned above is a grey and nuanced one; the very general rule of thumb is that its time to get work authorization when the side project is no longer a side project. The work authorization options are the H-4 EAD, as you note, which almost certainly will remain untouched if there's a change in administration, a concurrent part-time H-1B, which would allow you to continue working for your current H-1B employer, the O-1, a high standard but ownership and control are not really issues, and the H-1B, with ownership and control stumbling blocks.

princevegeta89 6y ago
Thank you! This is much helpful. Can you provide some insight on Unshackled as well if you don't mind? I don't know anyone who has had a first-hand experience with it so I was just wondering.