Found a good read on this https://medium.com/counseltree/can-an-h1b-holder-start-or-own-a-us-based-business-71e78238329f
1. Officially immigration-wise on H1-B before work authorization/green card (according to my knowledge): - You can't be employed by another company unless they sponsor your visa. - You can't perform any work for an organization you're not sponsored by. Work means something that an American could be paid for. - There is a workaround where your startup sponsors your visa. You'd need to become an employee of a citizen or gc holder, but you can maintain significant share of the business. - I think It's also possible to have a dual H1-B sponsorship (Amazon + startup), but I've never found good guidance or confirmation on that. 2. Unofficially immigration-wise on H1-B before work authorization/green card (according to my belief): - You should be able to work on a prototype, talk to potential customers etc. Mind, you won't be able to monetize or create a legal entity (company). This also becomes tricky with intellectual property rights or legal protection (e.g., liability, terms of use of the service). 3. Company-specific policies are stated in your employment agreement. MS is OK with moonlighting as long as you don't use corporate resources and compete with them. 4. Talk to an immigration lawyer if you're serious about it.
Thanks a lot for your comments on this :)
Exactly, stop stealing jobs from American entrepreneurs
We need H1 to pay our taxes and fund our social security , just don’t give them green card
Not to work for someone. But looking to start your own startup, in market research or prototyping phase.