TN Status and company share

[kanuk@york]

I'm currently working in the US as CSA for a small business. The owner of the company has offered me a significant ownership of his company. I looked at some investor visa's, but because the arrangements are a combination of sweat equity, salary concessions and cash, the sums involved are too low to meet the threshold necessary to build a E2/E3 application (the attorneys I spoke with)

If I were to accept, what becomes of my status? An I now out of status?

Thanks

 

[nelsona]

Yes. This would be self-sponsorship. I don't see a way you could leaglly work this out.
Also, there may be some foreign-ownership issues for the small business, depending on how it is set up, so you might not even be permitted to a silent partner (even if you move back to Canada or find another job). Have tou looked into the finanancials of this firm? Sounds like it may be going down (ie. cutting expenses (your salary) and getting cheap finanacing (your cash)) .

I'd be looking for a new job at this point.

Wouldn't this be something you would have asked the attorneys while you spoke to them about E visa?