Depends on the options available to the candidate. Typically someone joining a startup very early probably has the skill to get FAANG salaries with less stress and more free time. There are also hundreds or thousands of mid size companies that pay very well nowadays, its not just FAANG.
Yeah but smaller startups might be more open to non-US applicants, FAANG and other more established companies don't seem to be interested in hiring abroad.
That's what makes the early startup scene the only thing available for some.
How come? Most large companies have big legal/HR departments that are very efficient at the whole visa application process. A small company won't have that expertise/staff. I mostly see startups being more concerned about the visa status of applicants.
Remote + non-US is not as welcoming, so the hurdles are way higher as it's not fitting the usual way. While startups have no prior experience anyway, so it's easier to convince 1-2 people instead of changing a whole system (I believe).
