My journey of starting a business on H1b VISA

Summary

In this video, the speaker shares their journey of starting a business in the U.S. while on an H1B visa. After arriving in 2007 and obtaining their visa in 2010, they took the bold step of starting their own physical therapy practice. Despite uncertainties and risks, the business grew, and they began helping others do the same. Over time, the speaker has consulted for hundreds of people, with many going on to achieve success and citizenship. The message emphasizes that it is legal for those on H1B or H4 visas to start a business in the U.S.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker came to the U.S. on an H1B visa in 2007 and finished their master's degree in 2009.
• 💼 They are a licensed physical therapist in Texas and previously lived in New York.
• 🧑‍⚕️ A doctor encouraged them to start a business, despite being on an H1B visa, which led them to research how to register a company.
• 📝 They successfully registered a company, obtained an EIN number, and opened a bank account while maintaining their H1B status.
• 💡 After finding success, the speaker inspired their friends to start their own businesses while on H1B, many of whom followed suit.
• 📞 The speaker started getting phone calls from others seeking advice on how to start a business, which led to them offering consultations.
• 💰 Initially, they charged $50 for consultations, which eventually increased to $200 as demand grew.
• 📹 In 2015, the speaker posted a video online detailing how to start a business on an H1B visa, which gained traction and popularity.
• 🌍 Over the years, their advice has helped hundreds of people, with many of them now owning successful businesses and obtaining green cards or U.S. citizenship.
• ✅ The speaker emphasizes that starting a business while on an H1B or H4 visa is legal and encourages others to pursue entrepreneurship in similar circumstances.

Q & A

What is the speaker's profession?

The speaker is a licensed physical therapist in the State of Texas.

When did the speaker come to the U.S., and when did they finish their education?

The speaker came to the U.S. in 2007 and finished their master’s degree in 2009.

What visa status was the speaker on when they started their business?

The speaker was on an H1B visa when they started their business.

How did the speaker start their business while on an H1B visa?

The speaker researched how to register a company, filled out paperwork for the state of New York, obtained an EIN number from the IRS, and opened a bank account. They decided to test the process despite uncertainty.

What concerns did the speaker have about starting a business on an H1B visa?

The speaker was initially concerned that it might not be legal to start a business on an H1B visa and feared potential consequences such as deportation.

How did the speaker overcome legal concerns about starting a business on an H1B visa?

The speaker decided to take the risk and was willing to fight any potential immigration issues in court, drawing confidence from a friend who was dealing with a legal case at the time.

What was the outcome of the speaker starting their business?

The speaker successfully ran a business while on an H1B visa, receiving payments through the business. They also began consulting with others who wanted to start businesses.

How did the speaker’s business consulting service evolve over time?

Initially, the speaker provided consultations for free but later began charging $50, which eventually increased to $200. The service gained popularity, leading to more phone calls and success stories from clients.

What is the speaker’s main message for others on H1B or H4 visas regarding starting a business?

The speaker emphasizes that it is legal for individuals on H1B or H4 visas to start a business and encourages them to take the opportunity.

How does the speaker reflect on the success of their clients over the years?

The speaker notes that many of their clients who started businesses between 2012 and 2013 have since received green cards and citizenships, and some now run million-dollar businesses.