Is selling videos considered 'working'?

[ELV 2]

Hello all! 

 

I am in the process of adjusting status from a tourist visa after marrying my American husband, I have not yet received my EAD so am not actively working. In the past I was a freelance photographer/videographer and a US company recently requested to buy footage from me. It's old footage, several years old, and I would love to sell it to them. The problem is that I am worried it might look like I am working if I receive this large sum of money. 

 

Does anyone know if this might cause me issues, or if I am being too careful? 

 

Thanks 

[payxibka 10,047]

10 minutes ago, ELV said:

Hello all! 

 

I am in the process of adjusting status from a tourist visa after marrying my American husband, I have not yet received my EAD so am not actively working. In the past I was a freelance photographer/videographer and a US company recently requested to buy footage from me. It's old footage, several years old, and I would love to sell it to them. The problem is that I am worried it might look like I am working if I receive this large sum of money. 

 

Does anyone know if this might cause me issues, or if I am being too careful? 

 

Thanks 

Sell it.  

[JeanneAdil 6,638]

selling is a job called "a salesman"   

i wouldn't as its income

[FattieBanton 35]

have your husband sell it... unless that's a different kind of problem

[payxibka 10,047]

18 minutes ago, JeanneAdil said:

selling is a job called "a salesman"   

i wouldn't as its income

 Is selling stocks and bonds or your own personal goods,  a "salesman" job.

[davidvs 354]

Unauthorized work is forgiven for immediate relatives of US citizens.

[Celebi 140]

17 hours ago, davidvs said:

Unauthorized work is forgiven for immediate relatives of US citizens.

What???

[Adventine 3,210]

Old footage completed years ago is the OP's intellectual property, and so should be considered in the same way that an author would receive royalties from books written many years ago. 

 

However, that's just my opinion. Since it's a large sum of money, OP should be consulting a lawyer anyway. Preferably one who can address all the issues on protecting intellectual property rights, possible taxes, and if this is viewed as "work" or just as "passive income."

Edited January 29, 2021 by Adventine

[davidvs 354]

1 hour ago, Celebi said:

What???

Per USCIS:

 

[Celebi 140]

5 minutes ago, davidvs said:

Per USCIS:

Ok. Not applicable for c9 and I guess corporations won't even hire you if you do not have a work permit. 

 

1 hour ago, Adventine said:

Old footage completed years ago is the OP's intellectual property, and so should be considered in the same way that an author would receive royalties from books written many years ago. 

 

However, that's just my opinion. Since it's a large sum of money, OP should be consulting a lawyer anyway. Preferably one who can address all the issues on protecting intellectual property rights, possible taxes, and if this is viewed as "work" or just as "passive income."

I agree.