[falsestprophet]

This guy is lying or has a terrible lawyer.

If was telling the truth that he has founded and exited several technology companies including one worth over a billion dollars, then there are any number of ways he could found a business in the US: E-2, EB-5, and yes the O-1A.

[DelaneyM]

This girl is not lying, and has quite a good lawyer.

Being a founding engineer doesn't mean as much as you'd think to a non-technical audience, I have zero chance at an O1.

EB-5 requires me to be putting in 1MM$ of my own money. That's significant for me and more importantly not needed for the business.

E2 is the best bet, and I discussed this at length with counsel. The non-dual intent (same as TN) nature of the status though will put me in exactly the same situation in a few years. Expecting me to invest in the country, while not allowing me to put down roots, is ridiculous and not fair to my family.

Also, I do realize that it's technically possible to apply for citizenship while on TN/E2, but that prevents international travel. I need to be in Canada regularly to care for my parents.

edit: modifying original post to weaken "no legal way" to "no acceptable legal way". Anything is possible.

[dusanbab]

EB-5 you can do for $500k plus transactional costs and probably shouldn't go into the business anyway.

E2 absolutely agree it just feels like deferring the problem to a later date. A lot of exposure for not as much in return.

I think the bottom line is you don't need to be in the US as much as you needed to before, given your track record. Here the US should need/want you more than the other way round.

L-1A is probably quite doable though and it's dual intent. You need to wait a year, but that may have passed already anyway.

[DelaneyM]

To get an EB-5 for 500K$ (which is more plausible) the jobs created and place of business must be in a “targeted employment area.” (high unemployment or rural).

An L-1A is an option a year from now (I've only recently incorporated), but it's hard to build a sufficiently large company to satisfy the requirements to sponsor without putting down enough roots that it's no longer worthwhile moving.

I think you've nailed it though with:

> I think the bottom line is you don't need to be in the US as much as you needed to before, given your track record. Here the US should need/want you more than the other way round.

It's just not worth it to go through the contortions and hassle required to stay and start a company in the US. In a connected economy I can get the full value of the education & networks I've picked up in the states from any first-world country, and create value there.

[dusanbab]

From personal experience I can say there are incorrect assumptions on both the EB-5 and L-1. Happy to share my experience - let me know how to PM you.

[DelaneyM]

Though this ship has sailed (and I'm actually pretty happy to have been pushed into launching globally), I'm definitely curious. My linkedin id is on my HN page.

[jgh]

From my understanding with EB-5 $500k is only for regional centers, other businesses require $1mm.