[coolsank]

Hi Peter!, first off, just wanted to say thanks for all the help you provide here! Its nothing short of amazing!

I'm currently on an H1B, but I'd like to set up an ecommerce store with a friend. I understand that itself may not have enough grounds to get an O1 visa. Is there any other workaround for this scenario?

[proberts]

What's your country of citizenship?

[coolsank]

India

[proberts]

Then the O-1 and H-1B are your only options. While ownership/control is generally not an issue in the O-1 context, it is in the H-1B context so to proceed with an H-1B, you would have to cede ownership/control to your cofounder.