International 'New Business' in California

Hello,

I'm the Vice-President & Executive Director of a major 30-year-old-auto-component company in India. I had started a new IT company(Proprietorship) here (in India), just a month back!
I'm planning to start a new 'IT & Management Consulting' company in California (by virtue of my contacts and businesses). I would be recruiting Americans apart from other techies based out of Germany, UK and India.
(I'm aware that an alien(non-American) can start a LLC in Delaware/Nevada. But I'm not sure about California.)

My Questions:
1. Can an non-resident start a new LLC in California/any other state in the US?
2. If yes, can I process a work-permit (H1B) or a L1 Visa for my prospective employees, from this newly formed American company? In such a case, what are the chances of visa approval?
3. Is it better to start a new LLC or form a branch of my mother company? Which is easier?
4. I have a 10-year-Multi-Entry-B1 Visa. Can I keep visiting my American company frequently (say, a 30 day visit for every quarter), for business meetings?

I would greatly appreciate, if you can help me with these questions.

Thank you very much.

All of that can be done in CA without problem. A subsidiary allows L-1 visas in some cases but H1B is also available--of course the business will be examined by authorities etc. I am sure WLD could assist you when and if it becomes necessary.

See also Starting a business: http://www.ss.ca.gov/business/resources.htm for general background information and http://www.sba.gov/library/pubs/mp-25.pdf

Thank you very much for the information.