{"id":32110,"date":"2024-01-16T10:00:08","date_gmt":"2024-01-16T10:00:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/interstride.com\/?p=32110"},"modified":"2024-07-13T13:52:09","modified_gmt":"2024-07-13T13:52:09","slug":"can-i-freelance-as-an-international-student","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/interstride.com\/blog\/can-i-freelance-as-an-international-student\/","title":{"rendered":"Can I freelance as an international student?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Many college students in the US are interested in freelancing to gain valuable work experience while in school and make extra money with no long-term commitment. However, international students are subject to work authorization requirements that affect their ability to freelance. Keep reading to learn how to freelance legally on an F-1 student visa.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is freelance work?<\/b><\/h2>\n

In the US, freelancing is considered a type of self-employment. A freelancer works for themselves rather than for an employer. They provide services or products through specific projects for multiple companies and\/or clients. Projects can be one-time or ongoing. A freelancer may have their own business but this is not necessary. Independent contractors are similar to freelancers in the US but contractors usually take on longer projects.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There are both remote and in-person freelance jobs. For example, if you are an MBA student, you may want to consult for local startups in person. If you are a design student, you may want to take on a web design project remotely for a client in the US. Because freelance work is often remote, freelancers may also have clients outside the US.<\/span><\/p>\n

Is freelancing on F-1 visas allowed?<\/b><\/h2>\n

International students cannot freelance while they are in the US without additional work authorization. This includes remote freelance work, working with a non-US company, and one-time projects no matter how short. International students on F-1 visas are only authorized to work on campus unless they get additional work authorization.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are two work authorization options for international students \u2013 <\/span>Curricular Practical Training (CPT)<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Optional Practical Training (OPT)<\/span><\/a>. <\/span>CPT cannot be used for freelance work because it must be tied to a specific employer. <\/b>OPT <\/span>may<\/span><\/i> be able to be used for freelance work after the first year of school. No off-campus work authorization will be granted during your first academic year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Pros and cons of freelancing as an international student<\/b><\/h2>\n

During school, you can freelance part-time (up to 20 hours a week) for up to 12 months using pre-completion OPT. However, this is not recommended because if you use all your allotted OPT during your studies, you cannot use OPT after graduation. Without an employer-sponsored job already lined up to get another visa, you will have to leave the US within 60 days of your academic program ending.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Post-completion OPT can be used for freelancing, and you can work full-time up to 40 hours a week in total. These restrictions apply to any international student physically in the US whether you are freelancing for a US company or a <\/span>company based in another country<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pros of working freelance as a student or recent alum:\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n