Can a F-1 Student work online for his home country company?

[carlosaldm]

Hi, I have a F-1 Visa and enrolled on English Course while I'm waiting for my admission to a Master program, which by the way I'm preparing right now (Due dates are on January/2009)

I've started to work half time 20hr/week in campus (at the university that dictates the english courses). So far so good.

Since I already have a bachelor degree in computer science and I used to work on a Computer Company at my home country, I wonder if I can still work for that company. What I mean is that the Company needs my work, and this work can be done online, and I will receive my paymente at my home country.

1.) Will this kind of work inflict any immigration law? Is this possible?

2.) Furthermore, I've talked with some Computer US Companies and some of them are interested in working with my home country company. By representing my company to them, I am inflicting any immigration law?

In both cases there is no large money involved, it's more convenience than anything else; and for me to receiving extra-money is really Ok because I'm paying everything by myself. The home country company is small, that's why they need my help.

I hope someone can clarify this doubts. Thanks for your time by reading this thread.

Carlos.

[olive]

You normally cannot be doing work through or for the foreign company while in the US.

Why is that? I am in the US and do work for the European company as a consultant. The company is not incorporated in the US nor does it have office here.

...cannot work at all as an F-1 is my understanding

check with your school and pass your details by an immigration lawyer I would suggest...

It's a grayish area and a tough call- you are allowed to return to your country for employment purposes when school is not in session, so you are allowed to have a job as an F-1 student (US companies are not allowed to hire you though, unless you have a social security number which you can not get for employment purposes unless you're on OPT). If your payment is being deposited in your native currency in a bank in your native country, I don't believe there to be a conflict. Not only that, but even if there were a legitimate conflict, it is unlikely that the USCIS would even find out about it unless you told the wrong person.

If I were you, I would consult with your international student adviser and only speak of the situation hypothetically.

Originally Posted by Unregistered It's a grayish area and a tough call- you are allowed to return to your country for employment purposes when school is not in session, so you are allowed to have a job as an F-1 student (US companies are not allowed to hire you though, unless you have a social security number which you can not get for employment purposes unless you're on OPT). If your payment is being deposited in your native currency in a bank in your native country, I don't believe there to be a conflict. Not only that, but even if there were a legitimate conflict, it is unlikely that the USCIS would even find out about it unless you told the wrong person. If I were you, I would consult with your international student adviser and only speak of the situation hypothetically.

Alternatively, I would not talk to anybody about it because really, there's no reason that anyone would ever find out about it.