Its still possible man. I was in your place. I focussed on the problems instead of finding solutions for them. It is possible. If you email me then I can find the articles about people in your position who started companies.

Its difficult but its better than sitting gloomily that you cant do anything (like I did for a while).

Also theres so much to learn before you start your own venture - networks to be a part of, understanding VC/Angels, knowing as much as you can technically. Understanding business ,talking to customers, getting feedback.

Theres so much you could be doing. Stop focussing on what you cant do!

I just sent you an email (using hackernewsers email facility). My email is in my HN profile, and I am also on hackernewsers. Thanks!

H1B sucks i know :( Sort of legal "voluntary" slavery. Maybe startup is not for you and you should focus on your core job, master at it and look for career grows? For that you might want to stop reading HN too much and focus on relevant sources.

I would not go as far as to say that a startup is not for me (Don't need another demotivating factor :D). I have a dream, and I intend to work on it while I do what it is that I do right now. If I ever get to a point where I may have to give up on it, well so be it but that point is not now, and hopefully not in the foreseeable future.

I work very hard to be good at what I do. My current focus is on learning as much as I can, regarding whatever it is that needs my immediate attention as well as aspects that may help later with a startup (if it ever comes to that). I am single with no debt whatsoever and I pack away as much as I can save (I am somewhat of a minimalist and live very frugally).

Regarding HN - It probably is the most relevant source I have found. Lot's of great advice and articles, lots of motivations (@patio11 comes to mind) and most importantly the company of (somewhat [1]) like-minded folks.

[1] - I say somewhat mostly because I doubt many others are people attempting to immigrate.

Wow! Now you sound much more motivated! Good luck with that! Anyway I was just saying that even if you decided not to start anything, its just fine!

There are many thing to master in this life. Business is just one, you name others(hint: family, prof skills, sports, etc). Think about it.

Ha! Good point. I guess I might have misrepresented my state of mind - It is a demotivating, and a bit of a hurdle, but hey, no one said it will be easy, right?

Thanks for the vote of confidence.

You can file a LLC or S-Corp while on H1 or EAD. It requires you to maintain a full time job (it doesn't mean you cant have a business). USCIS has an entrepreneur category for Green card (I think its new and faster than regular categories). If your idea kicks in you can always switch to this category. You are in a good place to start something....in US.

dont wait