[pp]

Shouldn't they be able to get B1 visas with the company they founded? It's most probably registered in the US. But then again, the US immigration system is seriously broken.

[rbanffy]

A friend of mine moved to the US in the late 90's using something like this founder visa. He and his parents opened a restaurant in Orlando, FL. The basic premise was they invested about US$ 100K in their business and were granted resident status, with the limitation they could not work in a company other than their own.

And that reminds me once more I still owe them a visit.

Haven't had proper vacations for a couple years.

[ojbyrne]

It says they're on a tourist visa (B2) - a B1 really wouldn't gain anything - they'd still have to leave every 3 months, and be questioned more closely each time they come back.

[nearestneighbor]

Technically, they may be inadmissible in the future now that they "did business" (talking to investors, etc.) on a tourist visa.

[ojbyrne]

You'd run into the same issue if you actually did work on a business visa. I.e. something other than meetings, talking to investors, etc.