Starting Business While Waiting for EAD?

[snowcat 58]

So I know that being employed right now is out of the question, but does helping my husband start a business count as employment? I asked my friend's dad (who is an immigration attorney) if I can put my name on my husband's LLC, and he said it's not a problem since you don't have to be a US Citizen to own a business. I still haven't done it because I don't want to get in trouble with the USCIS, but at the same time, it will be of great help to my husband if I can take care of some things for this budding business while he goes to work full time to support us both financially. The business is at its starting stages so we don't expect to earn money from it anytime soon (so it won't be a source of income), but at least getting things moving would be great, especially now that I have a lot of time. I have been trying to help out in ways in which I don't need to "officially" file papers with my name on it (for fear of being penalized by USCIS), but there are some things now that we need to do, which I can't personally do since I don't officially own the business and my husband currently has no time for since he needs to work to be able to support the 2 of us. I don't need to give my SSN out for any of the paperwork, so I'm wondering if this will affect my immigration process or if USCIS will have a way to find out at all?

 

I know the consequences of doing any kind of work without EAD is bad and may lead to my deportation and all that, so no need to berate/scare me. I've just been getting mixed information on what I can or cannot do, especially since this immigration attorney told me it wouldn't be a problem. This is also why I'm asking and doing tons of research first before I make any move... I'm definitely scared and would not want to jeopardize my immigration process!

[f f 725]

I am not an attorney.

 

the difference I see is that you are allowed to own something including the business. but you are not allowed to do work for the business that you could pay someone else to do.

 

a good rule of thumb is if I would need to pay someone else to do it then it is a job I need the ead for.

 

good luck

[jakartausa 28]

If its a webbased business and your are doing it all yourself or maybe you are doing one on one selling then I think you are OK. Anything beyond this would concern me. To be safe though if you do the web based business or selling is to ensure your husband uses his money to pay for any business expenses on his card or use cash.

Edited June 9, 2017 by jakartausa

[Jojo92122 1,924]

There is no problem with owning a business.  Don't need work authorization for that.

 

Regardless of whether you are an owner or not, you are not allowed to do any work . . . even self-employed or "helping" with a business.  This is the law.

 

 

[Jojo92122 1,924]

13 minutes ago, jakartausa said:

If its a webbased business and your are doing it all yourself or maybe you are doing one on one selling then I think you are OK. Anything beyond this would concern me. To be safe though if you do the web based business or selling is to ensure your husband uses his money to pay for any business expenses on his card or use cash.

One on one selling for the business is work.  It's not allowed without work authorization.