IANAL and I haven't ever tried anything of this sort but I think you can start your own LLC or C Corp, and work for it on OPT for 17months: http://www.ice.gov/s

IANAL and I haven't ever tried anything of this sort but I think you can start your own LLC or C Corp, and work for it on OPT for 17months: http://www.ice.gov/sevis/stemlist.htm http://www.ice.gov/sevis/stemlist.htm You'd have to burn your OPT though, so be careful. In any case, talk to an immigration lawyer before you do anything.