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LauraMoon

STEM OPT- Can I work as independent contractor (unpaid) and dont hurt my status?

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Filed: F-1 Visa Country: Spain
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Hi Everybody,

 

First time user! I have a really specific question that I hope to get some light on:

 

I am an international student and I have been through OPT since early 2016 through early. I recently applied for a STEM OPT since I got hired by a company on E-verify. 

While I was on OPT I started working as Independent Contractor at another company where I was not getting paid for my work, but being offered a small percentage of the net sales once the product we are working on is released. This company is not E-Verified and has no plans to be in the system.

 

My question is this: Can I keep working for this company even though I am on a STEM OPT? Will this affect my ability to work with my actual employer? Even though I have discussed with them my fears they keep saying is ok to keep working for them. I do like the project even though I am not getting paid, but I don't want to do anything that may hurt my STEM OPT Has anyone been in the same situation? Any help will be very much appreciated!

Thanks in advance.

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doing the work is no issue since you can call it a hobby but getting money for it even later may be a gray area. the question you need to find out is can you work at two companies simultaneously while only one of them sponsors your opt?

looking around a bit it seems like you are able but you must report them both to your dso even if it is unpaid.

https://internationalcenter.umich.edu/students/f1-students/on-opt

 

good luck

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You can work for multiple employers but they do need to be on e-Verify. You can work as a volunteer in your field of study (internship) but make sure that you don't violate any labor laws.  

Edited by randomstairs
03/04/2016 AOS (EB2-NIW concurrent with I-485) mailed to Lewisville TX Lockbox
03/07/2016 AOS delivered to USCIS and signed
03/12/2016 Case received by Nebraska Service Center (NSC)
03/14/2016 Text notification received for I-140/I-485/I-765/I-131.
04/08/2016 Biometrics notice received for 04/21
04/13/2016 Biometrics early walk-in completed.
04/15/2016 EAD/AP combo card received in mail.

 

Long wait begins...

 

11/04/2016 I-140/485 cases transferred from Nebraska to TCS
12/01/2016 Prepared package for EAD/AP renewal (expires 04/09/2017)
12/23/2016 USCIS suddenly changes several forms, invalidating my EAD/AP renewal package (not yet sent)
12/27/2016 USCIS suddenly reforms the entire NIW criteria system, replacing a 20 years old one. Uncharted waters. 
01/07/2017 (Saturday!) EAD/AP renewal package with new forms received in Phoenix "reception desk"
01/17/2017 EAD/AP renewal case accepted; text/email with receipt numbers was received
01/30/2017 Law firm finally confirms that USCIS has suspended processing all EB2-NIW cases due to new criteria. 
02/23/2017 USCIS slowly starts adjudicating NIW cases again.
04/21/2017 Extended EAD/AP received in mail. Valid for 2 years. 
05/06/2017 Received a massive RFE on I-140 NIW case.
07/20/2017 RFE response received by USCIS (a very long response with 30 pages of docs)
09/14/2017 I-140 NIW approved!!! 
11/28/2017 RFE for new medical issued (plus another request re Supp J for employment which is clearly issued in error)
12/04/2017 RFE received in mail
12/07/2017 repeated medical exam for I-485
12/08/2017 Attorney receives documents for responding to I-485 RFE
12/21/2017 Response to RFE received by USCIS 
02/09/2018 I-485 approval (text, email) :)
02/08/2018 I-485 approval notice issued (the "welcome letter") - I'm LPR now
02/16/2018 Green card received
 
11/14/2022 Filed N-400 online; receipt and biometrics reuse form received online
03/07/2023 N-400 Interview scheduled 
04/xx/2023 N-400 approved, same-day Oath ceremony completed. I'm a US citizen.
05/xx/2023 US passport in hand

 

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