[bri3d]

I'd urge him to consider carefully not only because dropping out of university might not be wise, but because he'll probably end up in the US on an H-1B visa.

An H-1B visa isn't a big deal, but it prevents you from working for a few weeks on contract to try things out, and it makes it quite a bit harder to change companies or quit.

Valley companies tend to overwork and under-compensate, and an H-1B makes it -that much- harder to get out of a terrible situation if you find yourself in one. An American designer in the Valley can say "no thanks" and change careers or move elsewhere with a minimum of effort compared to the issues associated with leaving with an H1B.

EDIT: It turns out I don't know much about visas and it's hard to get an H1B without a degree (thanks HN - learning a lot!). See replies for a wide variety of speculation as to which visa type would work in this situation, and feel free to sub in your choice of visa where I initially said H1B, because I think the danger of a poor working situation is either similar or even more pronounced with another type of visa.

[untog]

but because he'll probably end up in the US on an H-1B visa.

Actually, getting an H1B visa without a college education is near-to-impossible. I have a college education that isn't in computing, and I've had to provide evidence of six years of work experience as an alternative. I doubt our 19 year old friend will be able to do that.

Plus he can't "work for food for two months"- in fact, just that being on his site would probably be a giant red flag for immigration. You have to be paid a prevailing wage.

The easy answer here is to do internships. I'm not sure what the visa situation around them is exactly, but I'm sure it's easier than getting an H1B.

[bri3d]

I agree that an internship would probably be easier overall, but the organization would need to be approved as an "Internship Program" first. I think there's a limited incentive to do all the lawyering necessary to get only one person in for less than 12 months, which is why we don't see many J1 interns in the valley.

Plus, my word of warning about painful working conditions applies doubly to a J1 internship visa, which as far as I know doesn't allow a transfer between companies (or quitting) at all.

[MetalMASK]

The VISA situation for internship would be F1, specifically F1-CPT. It would be much easier if Filip is studying in the US, but it is still easier compared to getting H1B.

Getting a silicon valley company to give him an offer would be a per-requisite.

[46Bit]

It's J-1 more likely. F1-CPT from a glance seems to be for things like placement years as part of a Uni course rather than something personal.

[alexholehouse]

H1Bs, without a significant body of work to prove yourself with, are VERY hard to come by. Believe me.

[untog]

Oh, I know. I'm in the process right now, and have been for over six months...