What is considered working, while on K1 Visa

[Howeetest D 18]

Wow, I haven't been here in so long, this feels weird...

I arrived in Arizona back on the 6th August 2015. Unfortunately my husband and I aren't able to being the AOS process yet for a plethora of reasons. Obviously I know, without a green card or EAD I'm unable to begin work due to the stipulations of my visa. Hooooowever! I'm wondering what is actually considered working. A family friend of mine, back in England has introduced me to this business she thinks world be ideal for me, as I'm not working and I have time on my hands. I guess it's somewhat like, Avon but mostly online, through social media and beauty parties at home. I wouldn't be going to an office everyday and be employed by an employer, it's more along the lines of self employment. Would it be ok for me to do this or would this be grounds for deportation. I'm really unsure about this.

Any help/advice would be more than welcome.

Thanks ?

[NikLR 13,227]

That's working. You're self employed and would need to file taxes as such.

[Howeetest D 18]

Seriously?! Awww man! So even something like . . . I dunno, doing your friends nails and getting a few bucks or something on those lines.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

Still working. Babysitting is working, mowing the lawn is working. Technically preparing your own dinner and doing the dishes is working

[Howeetest D 18]

Bloody hell!!! I was really looking forward for to doing that.

[belinda63 3,038]

Anything you get paid for or a position which is normally paid is considered working.

[Unidentified 2,930]

Of course it's working. You'd be self-employed and working.

[newacct 688]

Would it be ok for me to do this or would this be grounds for deportation.

Well, being out of status (which you have been for some time) and not having a pending AOS, is already "grounds for deportation", so ... I'm not sure it's meaningful to ask that at this point.

Edited January 10, 2016 by newacct

[NickandAngi 8]

I don't know what the implications would be, but you could be paid in England for this online opportunity you are talking about. It's possibly a loophole, but I'm not sure. Someone else may have a better understanding of the implications of doing this.

On the other hand, being paid here, cash in hand, for anything, even painting someone's nails, would be considered working and therefore in violation of your visa.

Good luck on your journey - I hope you're able to file for AOS soon as that will give you the freedom you need to pursue active employment.

All the best!

[Dashinka 24,489]

I would focus on whatever the issues a around filing the AOS/EAD. If you can get this going soon, you may have your EA in 45-90 days and you can start working without issue.

Good Luck!

[yuna628 9,671]

Do not work period. Work on getting your situation fixed so that you can file AOS.

[Darnell 8,478]

i suggest instead,

that you buy into a garden co-op plot in your area, set up hot boxes on your plot, and grow high end vegetables. then on a farmers market day, have your uscitizen husband sell them. do it right? co-op plot rental is 20 bucks for 6 months (not a monthly fee), and you've picked the right crop that'll sell at 3 to 5 bucks/ pound at the farmers market.

[Boiler 45,468]

i suggest instead,

that you buy into a garden co-op plot in your area, set up hot boxes on your plot, and grow high end vegetables. then on a farmers market day, have your uscitizen husband sell them. do it right? co-op plot rental is 20 bucks for 6 months (not a monthly fee), and you've picked the right crop that'll sell at 3 to 5 bucks/ pound at the farmers market.

Has not been above freezing for more than a month where I am.

Spend your time filing adjustment, MUCH better return.

[Ash.1101 1,756]

File adjustment for sure, Asap. Try to fix what ever is causing you to not be able to file, worry about that first.


Working is doing ANY task that gives you ANY benefit, that USC could do. A benefit being ANY kind of perk. Free lunch, gift cards, cash, anything. If you receive ANYTHING for any work/help/aid/task you do, you're illegally working in the eyes of the gov. Even if there are no USC's taking the job, the idea that a job and benefits are being taken from any POTENTIAL USC, now or in the future, makes it illegal.

Even if you volunteer, and say the person leading the volunteer group gives out 10$ gift cards, you're receiving a benefit.

The ONLY "jobs" you can "work" are volunteer jobs that give out NO benefit to USC's or anyone for that matter. Basically, no one gets ANYTHING to compensate for their volunteering, across the board. You also can't ask them to not give you a benefit because you're essentially taking away a benefit from a USC that could have been doing the same volunteer work and not declining the benefit.

Edited January 10, 2016 by Ash.1101

[Boiler 45,468]

If you want to volunteer for no pay in CO, PM me, I have lots of opportunities.