Current F-1 Status Needs Help

Hey everyone.
I have a few questions regarding my current situation. I currently have F-1 status which is valid until later this summer. I have recently graduated from a U.S. education institution and have obtained a Doctor of Chiropractic designation. I am eligible for OPT status,but I believe this will not suffice. My girlfriend and I are both licensed chiropractors (she is American and I am Canadian) and we would like to purchase a practice in the U.S. In order for me to do this, what type of Visa is required? I do not believe that OPT status is applicable because I will be a partial owner of a corporation once purchased. What route should I pursue with my given situation?

Thank you in advance.
Jared

Any plans to get married any time soon? If so, then just have your partner sponsor you and get permanent resident status.

Anyone can buy into a US corporation, your work authorization in the US is totally irrelevant. You're just a shareholder at that point, anyone can do that unless they're under UN sanctions or something like that.

The corporation can employ you on OPT.

The only point where it might get a bit dicey is if you effectively have control of the corporation (e.g. if it's an S-corporation), it needs to be an arm's length situation. However if you have a minority stake in the corporation and they hire you, I can't see that being a problem.

Clearly though the corporation is in a position to provide relevant practical training so I can't see why USCIS would care.

By far the simplest long-term method you've got available to you is to get married to your girlfriend, then you just apply for AOS on I-485 to permanent resident and re-apply for work authorization on I-765.

If for some bizarre reason you enjoy paperwork and don't want to get married, then it sounds like you need an E-2 visa, they are by far the most complex non-immigrant visas to get and it will help you to find an immigration consultant who is familiar with the application process if you go that route. http://toronto.usconsulate.gov/content/ ... tion=visas