Report claims Elon Musk’s early Career in US began without legal authorization

Elon Musk early career: In a new report from The Washington Post which suggests that billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, who frequently voices strong opinions on U.S. immigration policy, may have begun his career in America without proper work authorization. The South African-born Musk reportedly left Stanford University in 1995 to establish his first company, Zip2, without the required documentation for employment.

Building Zip2 without legal paperwork

According to the report, Musk departed from Stanford and initiated Zip2 despite lacking official work authorization. Over a four-year span, Zip2 developed into a successful venture and was eventually sold for approximately $300 million, marking Musk's first major entrepreneurial success. Former colleagues disclosed that Musk did not receive U.S. work authorization until around 1997, indicating his early years at Zip2 were technically unauthorized.

Student visa violations are common but illegal

At the time, Musk was reportedly in the U.S. on a student visa, which required him to maintain academic status to reside and work legally in the country. While overstaying or working beyond the conditions of a student visa is not uncommon, it remains an illegal practice. Musk has referred to this phase of his career as a “legal grey area.” In a 2020 podcast, he commented on his ambiguous status, saying, “I was allowed to do work sort of supporting whatever.”

Musk’s current views on immigration spark debate

In recent years, Musk has openly criticized U.S. immigration policies. He recently called out Vice President Kamala Harris for allegedly supporting “imported voters” through lenient border policies, even comparing the situation at the U.S.-Mexico border to a “zombie apocalypse.” His comments have sparked ongoing debate, given Musk’s own history navigating the U.S. immigration system.