Earning money with a hobby is it allowed ?

[Iluvya 0]

Hello, I came recently in the USA with a visa K1 and I am now married. We are about to sent the AOS package soon.

 

Since I am here, I started a little hobby online, I am making live videos where I am playing games, on Twitch. This platform allow you to become an « affiliate » and to get a « subscribe » button, meaning that people can subscribe to your channel and you get a little bit of money from them per month (2.50$). You are also allowed to put a « donation » button and people that want to support you can send you money through PayPal.

I wanted to know if it’s allowed to do that while waiting for the EAD, during the AOS process. It’s not a work because it’s a hobby, so it’s not being employed, but is that allowed ?

I heard that passive income is allowed. But I don’t know if in this situation it fell into this category.

It’s not going to be a lot of money, less than 100$ a month I think, but it’s still some money earned, so I wanted to know if I am allowed to do that..

Edited October 7, 2017 by Iluvya

[JRF 117]

This isn't passive income, sounds like a form of earned income.  I assume you will get a 1099 or something like that...

 

Check the definition of passive income.  

 

 

[Iluvya 0]

This is what I find about it :

« Passive income has been a relatively loosely used term in recent years. Colloquially, it’s been used to define money being earned regularly with little or no effort on the part of the person who’s receiving it. Proponents of earning passive income tend to be boosters of a work-from-home and be-your-own-boss professional lifestyle. The type of earnings people usually associate with this are gains on stocks, interest, retirement pay, lottery winnings, online work. »

 

Also, with this « affiliation », you receive money only when you reach 100$. If you are below this limit, they don’t send you the money you earned.

 

So I have no idea if it’s allowed or not. It’s not being employed, it’s more like a kind of partnership I think. And it’s not either a work since it’s just a random hobby..

 

[Iluvya 0]

@geowrian I have seen that you helped some people on other threads about working / EAD so maybe you could help me about that or tell me what you think.. :/

Edited October 7, 2017 by Iluvya

[geowrian 22,338]

It's another gray area IMO. Personally, I would say if you are doing the work in the US, then that crosses the line. But for videos you did in the past, it would not be an issue. Anyway, that's my $0.02. The laws were really not updated to handle this stuff clearly.

Edited October 7, 2017 by geowrian

[Iluvya 0]

Yeah, that’s not simple at all..!

Maybe I should just wait for the EAD before accepting the invite of the affiliation.

and what about donations ? Because some people who wants to support me are asking for that. Do you think I am allowed to receive donations..? Because it’s based on their free will, and it’s not that much different than when friends or family are sending money..

[f f 725]

no it is not allowed. you are still getting paid for doing something, this is the most basic definition of work.

[Iluvya 0]

Alright!

I just thought that since we are not allowed to be employed, we were still able to earn money in an another way, since I heard about passive incomes being allowed.

Well I think it’s better for me to wait the EAD. It’s more wise haha. I don’t want to take any risks..! 

 

[f f 725]

if you own property that you rent out you can make money off of it but as soon as you put in effort beyond cashing the check the company that manages the rental gives you. you are then doing work.

[NikLR 13,232]

You can't even volunteer in what may be considered a paid position or accept food, gifts, etc for volunteer time.  

Streaming on Twitch would be a grey area.  I doubt most people on there ever claim their "donations" as income BUT  people do make a decent living off being online.   The legality of that is obviously grey rather like a server who doesn't pay taxes on cash tips. 

[JFH 12,191]

I don't think it can be defined as passive income due to the physical and time investment versus the return. Creating and posting a video takes longer than buying a lottery ticket or cashing a retirement check. The investment on your part is potentially greater than the return. 

 

Its water under the bridge now but a CR-1 would have been a better choice if you needed to be working sooner than an EAD will allow. 

 

If if you're doing this for a hobby and don't want or need the money, maybe find another hobby that doesn't involve money to remove any doubt. 

[Ryan H 3,832]

***Post violating the below quoted provision of the TOS removed along with post quoting.***

 

By way of example, and not as a limitation, you agree that when using the Service, you will not:

• Condone or instruct, either directly or indirectly, others on how to commit fraudulent or illegal immigration activities in any way, shape, manner or method.

[kris&me 572]

to IRS making money in any form is taxable

working online or not for an employer is self employment

requirements are filing quarterly SS, medicare payments and extimated withholding taxes

just quit and save yourself a lot of issues

 

[Springrain22 427]

No, wait until you have authorization to work.

[Iluvya 0]

Yeah, all of your comments make sense.

I just wanted to know if I was allowed to do it or not. It’s a hobby and I enjoy doing these video, so I don’t care if I don’t receive money from it, until I receive my EAD.

I don’t want to take the risk of doing something that could be against the law.