Q: I am a F1 visa status international student from Japan, and my friend (US citizen) asked me to be his co-founder.
Hi I am a F1 visa status international student from Japan. My friend (he is an US citizen) asked me to be his co-founder for his company. I am scheduled to leave the States this year after graduation. I was wondering if I can be his co-founder and, if so, what are some regulations/processes I have to take (especially before leaving the US when F1 visa status expires). Thank you!
A: There are complicated immigration rules regarding volunteering, working, and passive investing on your F-1 visa. Your OPT might be useful if the work is related to your degree. Then there is the possibility of if a change of status to L-1, for example. Without assessing the specifics of your case during a confidential consultation, it would not be possible to responsibly advise you on your options.
Tim Akpinar agrees with this answer
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
