Work during waiting period?

[DanishGirl 0]

Hi! I'm sorry if I've posted this in the wrong place. I'm new to this whole thing.

My boyfriend and I are about to embark on the K-1 journey, and hopefully everything will go smoothly. I have one question, though, that I'm hoping you guys can help me answer.

When I have entered the US, and we have gotten married and filed for me to stay and work, I know there will be waiting period where I'm not allowed to work in the US.

Since I'm a professional translator, I do a lot of remote, freelance work, and I'm wondering whether or not I'd be allowed to continue that work while I'm in the US waiting to get approved.

I would work strictly for Danish companies based in Denmark, pay taxes in Denmark, get paid on my Danish bank account, and so on, so I wouldn't technically be working in the US.

I hope some of you guys can help with this question.

Thank you!

[B&Z 201]

This is pretty straight-forward, cut-and-dry. Working=working. Working while in the US = working IN the US. You are not allowed to work until you get your EAD, it doesn't matter who you're doing work for or what you're working on or what bank account the money's going into. If you are on US soil, any work you do = working in the US. Don't violate the terms of your visa. File for AOS and wait for that EAD.

Edited August 10, 2016 by B&Z

[Unidentified 2,930]

It's a bit of a grey area and some are doing it. You still need to include it on US taxes.

Post from 2011 says it's okay

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/339006-working-for-a-foreign-employer-before-obtaining-work-permit/

Post from 2013 says it's a grey area

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/446697-freelancing-in-uk-after-moving-to-us/

Post from 2015 some say yes, some say gray area

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/532674-working-for-foreign-company-while-waiting-for-ead/

This is pretty straight-forward, cut-and-dry. Working=working. Working while in the US = working IN the US. You are not allowed to work until you get your EAD, it doesn't matter who you're doing work for or what you're working on or what bank account the money's going into. If you are on US soil, any work you do = working in the US. Don't violate the terms of your visa. File for AOS and wait for that EAD.

This has been discussed before. Search VJ and you will realize that this scenario is not "straight-forward" or "cut-and-dry". It's a grey area as she is not technically working IN the US nor is she paid IN the US.

[Ortolan 381]

Don't do it. Pretty simple. Work is work.

Plus, when you do get your employment authorization, at that point you'll have to begin paying U.S. taxes.

[A'n'L 735]

Total grey area - some choose to do it, some choose not to.

The concern/argument is that you don't occupy a position that could've been held by a US citizen or LPR - and you wouldn't.

However, there are no laws or rules that clearly state either or - since remote working is a reasonably new phenomena.

[Ontarkie 14,234]

~~Moved to Working and Traveling During US Immigration - As the OP is asking about after entry to the US and Similar topics have been discussed here.~~

[MeAlone 161]

Hi! I'm sorry if I've posted this in the wrong place. I'm new to this whole thing.

My boyfriend and I are about to embark on the K-1 journey, and hopefully everything will go smoothly. I have one question, though, that I'm hoping you guys can help me answer.

When I have entered the US, and we have gotten married and filed for me to stay and work, I know there will be waiting period where I'm not allowed to work in the US.

Since I'm a professional translator, I do a lot of remote, freelance work, and I'm wondering whether or not I'd be allowed to continue that work while I'm in the US waiting to get approved.

I would work strictly for Danish companies based in Denmark, pay taxes in Denmark, get paid on my Danish bank account, and so on, so I wouldn't technically be working in the US.

I hope some of you guys can help with this question.

Thank you!

if you marry an American citizen, all your work even illegal it's forgiven, simple like that. You don't pay taxes until you get your Social Security number, you even have not a resident status before you get your green card, you are a visitor and not a problem working remotely to your country companies. But as I said, even if you work for American companies, if you asked in the Interview, answer the truth, marrying an American citizen is all work forgiven.

Ah, also if you have some money in your country and you plan later to bring it in US, better do it before getting the Social Security number, this way you can deposit your money in an American bank tax free, just ask them to sign the form declaring you are not a resident in US, then you have your no taxable money and only will be charged taxes on interest you gain in America, the whole amount it's tax free.

some people prefer to marry first, get the green card and then go back to their country selling the house and bringing their money ... wrong, once you are the legal resident with Social Security number, there is the tax on everything, not easy, better do it as a foreigner

Tasha

[MeAlone 161]

you can also do the bank transfer if it is not a small amount of money, all legal, all transparent, money from abroad is very welcome here and non taxable, just ask your fiance to help you to open the bank account, lately banks don't open easy accounts for foreigners, maybe joint account but if it shows the money came form your country and the legal way, it's wonderful, you will have your money tax free for to buy the house here or anything. Good luck and work hard, it's good to have more money, your own money for the better start, your marriage, wedding, anything

Tasha