What are my options for staying legally in USA?

[appleblossom 5,109]

1 hour ago, Sasemed98 said:

I just found this article about a new proposed bill to have people pay 20k usd to get in front of line for long visa wait times. Would this be a realistic option for me to hope for?

 

https://visaserve.com/dignity-act-of-2025-a-new-20000-fast-lane-to-green-cards-for-long-waiting-immigrants/

How do you think that’s relevant to you? As it says, even if it happened (unlikely) it’s for those who’ve been waiting 10 years or more already. 
 

What happened with your company, is there any chance of sponsorship at all through them? 

Edited September 21 by appleblossom

[Sasemed98 0]

3 hours ago, appleblossom said:

How do you think that’s relevant to you? As it says, even if it happened (unlikely) it’s for those who’ve been waiting 10 years or more already. 
 

What happened with your company, is there any chance of sponsorship at all through them? 

My bad – I thought it meant that people who would otherwise have to wait 10 years could move to the front of the line.

Unfortunately, my company isn’t willing to sponsor, they only offered me remote work.

I think my best move now is to switch to an F1 and use that time to look for companies that might be open to sponsorship. As a backup, I’ll have my dad sponsor me once the change of status is approved (or denied).

[Sasemed98 0]

I’m exploring if an E-2 visa could be a viable option for me. I have around $25–30k to invest and I’m considering two options:

 

Family Painting Business:

My dad has a residential and commercial painting company that has been operating and registered for 10+ years. He hires U.S. citizens on a project basis. His health is declining, so he can’t be very active anymore. I could take over the business (fully or 50%) and invest ~$30k in equipment, a van, website, and marketing.

 

Software Consulting Startup:

My current J-1 employer said they will hire me remotely after my program ends. I could set up a U.S. company providing software consulting or contractor services. However, I’m unsure how best to invest the $25–30k, and it would be unlikely to hire U.S. citizens in the first year.

 

Would either of these options be viable for an E-2, or would I be better off pursuing a student visa instead?

[OldUser 10,719]

3 minutes ago, Sasemed98 said:

I’m exploring if an E-2 visa could be a viable option for me. I have around $25–30k to invest and I’m considering two options:

 

Family Painting Business:

My dad has a residential and commercial painting company that has been operating and registered for 10+ years. He hires U.S. citizens on a project basis. His health is declining, so he can’t be very active anymore. I could take over the business (fully or 50%) and invest ~$30k in equipment, a van, website, and marketing.

 

Software Consulting Startup:

My current J-1 employer said they will hire me remotely after my program ends. I could set up a U.S. company providing software consulting or contractor services. However, I’m unsure how best to invest the $25–30k, and it would be unlikely to hire U.S. citizens in the first year.

 

Would either of these options be viable for an E-2, or would I be better off pursuing a student visa instead?

E-2 with $25-30k? Seriously? Good luck!

[OldUser 10,719]

12 minutes ago, Sasemed98 said:

Would either of these options be viable for an E-2,

Not even remotely realistic

 

12 minutes ago, Sasemed98 said:

or would I be better off pursuing a student visa instead?

Better, if you can afford it. $25-30k is not going to be enough for most degrees IMHO. This is more like 1 year of tuition in many universities.

Edited 22 hours ago by OldUser

[Boiler 48,097]

Add a 0

[OldUser 10,719]

30 minutes ago, Boiler said:

Add a 0

Or two .

I'd say investment of 2-3M would be approved a lot easier than $250-300k.

 

It's not unusual for US employees to make 50-100K depending on industry and position. Employing 2-3 people alone can cost 100-300K a year in total. Add rent, materials, marketing, other expenses...

 

But going back to original $25-30K investment... This is not enough for myself alone to survive even for a year in the area I live... Let alone set up business or invest.

Edited 22 hours ago by OldUser

[appleblossom 5,109]

2 hours ago, Sasemed98 said:

Would either of these options be viable for an E-2, or would I be better off pursuing a student visa instead?

 

Definitely nowhere near enough for an E-2. A business can't be marginal for an E-2, you'd need premises (not just a van) and to be hiring USC's. Sorry, but that's not realistic for $25-30k.

 

I'm also struggling to see how a student visa will help, as said previously. You can't stay a student for 10 years, so all it's going to do is take a lot of money (far more than $30k for international tuition rates), and then just delay you leaving by 4 years or so. Possibly if you did a masters you could stretch it to 6 years, but again you'd likely still have to leave before you could adjust status anyway. 

 

Plus both visa routes are not dual intent, so quite likely to be refused as you have a father in the US and clearly want to stay. 

 

Has your father petitioned you yet? If not, that should be your first priority IMO. 

Edited 21 hours ago by appleblossom