LLC 40% Ownership on E2 or E3?

[pondera]

Hi,
I have been in the US on a J1 exchange visa working in a professional nature for a one man real estate development company. I have been given the opportunity to invest in a new startup up to 40% of a new LLC. I am nearing the end of my J1 visa and require an E3 or E2 visa to continue working however here is the catch:

From my understanding you can invest and own a US company and work under that company if you own it (ie a 51% share) under the E2 and a fair list of other qualifications.

or

You can be sponsored by a company and work for it under an E3 visa which is most people's option.

my question is this: can i partially own an LLC while working for/being sponsored by that company??? Any help would be greatly appreciated as this seems to be one of the areas lost in the grey...

Thanks in advance.

[Fatbrit]

Originally Posted by pondera

Hi,
I have been in the US on a J1 exchange visa working in a professional nature for a one man real estate development company. I have been given the opportunity to invest in a new startup up to 40% of a new LLC. I am nearing the end of my J1 visa and require an E3 or E2 visa to continue working however here is the catch:

From my understanding you can invest and own a US company and work under that company if you own it (ie a 51% share) under the E2 and a fair list of other qualifications.

or

You can be sponsored by a company and work for it under an E3 visa which is most people's option.

my question is this: can i partially own an LLC while working for/being sponsored by that company??? Any help would be greatly appreciated as this seems to be one of the areas lost in the grey...

Thanks in advance.

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