Every year, thousands of international students come to the USA for an exchange semester or further education. Many students wish to work while studying in the United States. Of course, your priority as an F1 visa holder is to study in the United States.

Still, there may be various compelling reasons you wish to work or earn passive income while studying – perhaps you want to make money, support your tuition & living expenses or acquire practical expertise in your field.

F1 students in the United States may choose from various academic and non-academic possibilities to generate passive income. However, will it be possible for an international student to make money and become a Youtube? Let’s find out in this article.

• Can International Student be a YouTuber
• Can I Make Money Off YouTube as an International Student?
• Can a Student be a YouTuber?
• Can International Students Make Money From YouTube in Canada?
• How Can International Students Earn Money in USA?
• Can International Students Work Online in the USA?
• Can I Make YouTube Videos on h1b Visa?
• What Education do You Need to be a YouTuber?
• How Many Views do You Need to Get Paid on YouTube?
• Can I Invest as an International Student?
• Can F-1 Student Buy a House in the USA?
• How to Buy a Home on an F1 Visa in the U.S
• Can I Start a Business With F1 Visa?

Can International Student be a YouTuber

Assuming you have spent a considerable amount of effort building up a significant following on a social media platform such as YouTube, TikTok (Dou Yin), or Onlyfans through your up-and-coming gaming, tech review, Minecraft, or beauty channel in your home country. You currently have around 30,000 followers and you have successfully monetized your channel on YouTube. Everything is going well.

Read Also: Can I Live Without a Job?

However, it has also been your intention to pursue undergraduate or postgraduate studies in the UK, and having received your acceptance offer from a prestigious UK university, you quickly applied for a Student Visa. Question – did you consider the possible impact of the UK Immigration Rules on your social media and internet-based commercial activities?

ST 26.5 of Appendix ST of the Immigration Rules prohibits students from being

• a) self-employed,
• b) engaging in business activity, and
• c) working as an entertainer in the UK. 

With respect to being self-employed, you could potentially fall foul of this provision because as an ‘influencer’, you are not directly employed by YouTube. This means that you could be deemed by the Home Office to be self-employed. It should be noted that this could also raise potential UK tax issues, which you would need to consider.

As regards the second prohibition above, “engaging in business activity” includes having a “financial or other significant beneficial interest in a capacity other than as an employee” in an entity classed as a “business” under the Home Office’s guidance.

For example, an individual running a YouTube channel could potentially be construed as engaging in “business activity” if the channel generated income, as opposed to somebody who engaged in vlogging for their personal enjoyment. 

With respect to the prohibition at c) above, being an influencer could arguably be seen as taking part in ‘entertainment’. This could be mitigated if you could show that you were engaging in such activities as an amateur and solely for your personal enjoyment.

Suppose a student is found to be engaging in any of these prohibited activities. In that case, their visa could be curtailed if the Home Office considers their actions to be of “sufficient gravity”.

This means that the amount earned from a ‘gig’, including (but not limited to) the aforementioned social media activities and any income-generating project or hobby, could also be relevant to the Home Office’s determination of the gravity of any breach. The wider consequences could include being refused UK visas in the future. 

Students should note that their school, university or higher education establishment is under a legal duty to report them to the Home Office if they find out about any such ‘gig’ activity. It can be assumed that the likelihood of such reporting would be high given the institution would be keen to protect its commercial interests and the ongoing ability to sponsor international students.

As a result, we recommend that any student or prospective student assesses carefully whether any planned activity may endanger their student status, and to seek professional advice if in any doubt.

Can I Make Money Off YouTube as an International Student?

No, you cannot earn money from your Youtube Channel, Tiktok or any other content platform while you ar present in the US on an F1 Visa or OPT. Always, be aware of the consequences if someone reports you or your activities to the USCIS – you might end up getting deported for violating the conditions of your visa status.

If you already have monetization enabled on your channel. You must turn off monetization to the channel after you land in the US on an F1 student visa or if you are working on OPT.

It’s not easy being a student in the United States. You’ll need to budget carefully, and you may be searching for methods to generate some additional money. If you’re looking for work on an F1 student visa, without knowing what legal restrictions you must comply with might be challenging.

However, there are a variety of passive income options that may help you.

Can a Student be a YouTuber?

YouTube earning is based on the audience. if you have a large people group then you can earn from YouTube and the methods are given below.

• Legal way
• Sponsorship
• Affiliated marketing

Legal way: in this method YouTube gives money and it’s a legal method. when you complete the YouTube partner program policies, YouTube starts showing the advertisement on your Video with the help of Google AdSense. In this, some part of the earnings are kept by YouTube and the remaining is given to the YouTuber.

ii) YouTube join and gifts by the subscribers to the creator are also a method of earnings. After completing of a large number of subscribers, YouTube gives a join program and some of your subscribers give you a lot of gifts for your creations.

2 YouTubers also get sponsorship from brands to promote their products. It depends upon the creator how much he charges for it.

3. Affiliated marketing also increases day by day in this method YouTubers start advertisement of many products and if the audience buys the link shared he/she gets the money.

Can International Students Make Money From YouTube in Canada?

Yes, you can. One of the best a greatest things about the internet is that it doesn’t matter where in the world you are, you can use it to your benefit and YouTube is no exception.

From my experience, students generally prefer these places for working in Canada:

1. Store associates at Walmart, Sobeys etc.
2. Servers
3. Dishwashers
4. Car washers
5. food counter attendants at burger king, McDonald, KFC, Subway etc.

For the second part of your questions, international students earn lot of money because they work hard just like Canadians and the minimum wage in Canada lies around $11/hour. So wherever you work, you will get $11/hour for sure.

So an international student in who comes to Canada without any work experience before gets around $11/hr on average. During your classes, you can work a maximum 20hrs/week. So you earn $220 in week. So, $880/month.

But, the best part is you can work full time during summers. That is 40hrs/week. So, That’s around $1800/month. Summers are generally of 4 months which makes the total income of $7200.

How Can International Students Earn Money in USA?

There are some training programs you can undergo such as the curricular practical training program (CPT). The CPT acts as authorization, albeit temporary, to work in jobs relating to the course you’re taking.

What’s great about CPT is that you can use it as a means for completion and experience. These can count as your internship and the experience you’re required to have before applying for a job as a graduate. In these cases of internships, though, they’re often unpaid, having counted the experience you gain to be an adequate payment.

Another program you can go for is the optical practical program. OPT jobs are more for pre-completion due to how long the program can last. A maximum of 12 months is what you can go for when applying for OPT.

If you’re in specific fields of math, engineering, science, and technology though, you can also opt for the STEM extension of the optional practical training program. This allows you to get an extension of 24 months to your OPT program. You can apply for it before your initial OPT program reaches its end.

Student visas don’t forbid you to generate passive income outside of school-related opportunities. You only have to know where to look for proper F1 student visa work to generate legal passive income abroad. Here are some ways you can start earning money today.

1. Renting Out a Room

This is the most common way for you to generate income abroad as a foreign student. It’s also the safest way to do so if you let property management companies do most of the work on your behalf. 

This means you’ll have to pay them for maintenance and interacting with tenants but you should turn a profit from renting out a room.

You’re going to need a social security number in this case though. Without one, you may face different tax implications which can cost you more money.

2. Investing

If you have confidence in your ability to predict the stock market, then investing in stocks is another legal way for you to generate income. This is legal as long as you make no more than 4 trades in a week. Making more trades would have your actions recognized as day-trading, a known profession.

You can also invest in different businesses to turn a profit. This remains legal as long as you participate strictly passively in the business’s functions. You can’t work in the business you’ve invested in for any reason.

3. Writing Manuscripts and the Like

You can’t submit books, manuscripts, etc. for publication and profit to the United States. However, nothing is stopping you from submitting to other countries like the UK, though. Sending your work to get published in the UK can generate income for you through royalties.

While you’re living in the U.S., any royalties you acquire fall under the passive income category. This means it’s a legal way to generate income while you’re abroad.

4. Entering Competitions

Any competition you enter and win outside the campus won’t get you in trouble with US laws. Cash prizes you win also fall under the passive income category like royalties. No matter how much money you accumulate, you’re staying within legal restrictions.

This applies to competitions that have nothing to do with your studies. Additionally, winning any form of lottery prize also counts as passive income.

5. Volunteering

You can volunteer in different jobs during your stay abroad in the United States. Since it’s not official employment, there’s no reason for you to worry since you won’t breach F1 visa restrictions. This is legal as long as you’re not depriving an American citizen of a job by volunteering.

This can also be an opportunity for you to enhance different skills. In the long run, the skills you gain from volunteering will make you a better candidate for employment. While not a typical passive income strategy, it’s one that you’ll reap the benefits from for years to come.

Can International Students Work Online in the USA?

You’re not in the US but you’re remotely working for your university. Can international students who are not physically in the country get paid for their online college student jobs?

The answer would be a “yes”, according to guidance by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which was last updated on Aug. 7, 2020.

COVID-19 has forced university campuses to close and for some on-campus employment opportunities to be conducted remotely. 

DHS said, “If the current on-campus employment opportunity has transitioned to remote work or the employment can be done through remote means, students may continue to engage in on-campus employment remotely.”

They add that schools should be able to explain how the students are providing services associated with the employment while not at the location of the employer.

Some universities including Rutgers University, Yale University, the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Illinois have established temporary policies to support international students in the US for remote on-campus employment. 

According to Inside Higher Ed, Columbia University has made the decision not to employ or pay students for teaching or research assistantships while abroad “to avoid jeopardizing international students’ visa status”.

An open letter to Columbia by the Graduate Workers of Columbia condemned the decision.

“We call on Columbia University to lift the obligation to return to the US for scholars and student workers,” said the letter.

“Denying teaching assistants, research assistants, graduate instructors, and other student employees their stipends and pay while they are abroad during a pandemic is cruel and unnecessary.”

They add that there is “no legal basis” why students residing outside the US cannot be employed, adding that many institutions have already announced working remotely from abroad and receiving pay is an option. 

Can I Make YouTube Videos on h1b Visa?

H1B is a restrictive visa. Unlike what the popular opinion seems to be, you cannot do anything apart from the job for which you were given an H1b. Any other source of funds apart from paycheck or income by chance like a lottery (which must be reported), you are not allowed to have any income.

If you make videos and send them to your friend or relative in a foreign country and let them monetize those videos on YouTube, that is fine. But you shouldn’t profit in any way from it. That’s the bottom line. Your income must come only from the STEM job you claim on your H1b.

Any other work with income in the USA is illegal (except lottery winnings, or winning money in a casino; both of these would be okay — since it does not work). A YouTube channel you post your videos on and generate wealth would be considered work. If you volunteer at a church, for example, serving food at an event for the disabled (not a formal job, and make no money out of it, that’s totally okay!).

If you sell some of your old electronics on Craigslist or eBay and make some money there, that’s okay too — it’s not a job. But if you’re selling large volumes of new products on eBay and make a significant amount of money from it – like an organized business, that might land you in trouble.

The USCIS asks for bank statements and they employ a dedicated team of people overseas to specifically go through the transactions to detect illegal sources of income.

What Education do You Need to be a YouTuber?

You can earn a lot of money on YouTube from ads, affiliate marketing, promoting, sponsorships and much more.

It often requires hard work to get famous on YouTube, but you do not need a degree to become a YouTuber. The biggest individual YouTuber in the world is PewDiePie with more than 100 million subscribers, and he was a university drop-out.

So, you do not need a degree to become a YouTuber, but if you want a long and glorified career as a YouTuber, you need to create great, relevant and evergreen content.

For most people, it takes years to become a real YouTuber. There are a lot of how-to guides to get subscribers fast and reach 100.000 within one year, but these tricks require a certain amount of expertise in online- and content marketing.

You have a lot of advantages if you know how to create great videos and good content, and also if you know how the World Wide Web, social media and search algorithms work.

A YouTuber’s schedule depends on them completely. If you work best under the adrenaline of an approaching deadline, this might not be the job for you. No one, other than any loyal subscribers you gain, expects or demands anything. That being said, you do have to upload at least two videos per three-month period to be considered active.

“Importing and editing the video takes the longest for me,” AdrianXpression said. Most of the humor and presentability of a video comes through in the post. If you ever sit through a 30-minute Trisha Paytas video, you’ll know what I mean. “Making one video can take almost half of a whole day. I don’t use a script so that means that I’ve spent time getting familiar with my topics,” AdrianXpression said. Then you have to set up the equipment, set up the shot, test sound, record, experience the wonderfully long process of reviewing and editing the footage and then promote it after everything gets finalized. Your work ethic writes your check.

What skills do you need?

1. Creativity

Create, create, create. The entire job relies on your ability to conceptualize video after video that will keep your audience interested and you passionate about your craft.

2. Editing

What good does a line about a boring video game you’d rather lick the dust off your grandma’s Swiffer than play do if your audience has to wait through 20 minutes of you rambling to hear it? Be able to identify the good stuff and cut out the crap.

3. Persistence

No one gets YouTube famous overnight. Except Post Malone. White Iverson got like a million views in one night, so no one but Post Malone gets YouTube famous overnight. If you enjoy making content, keep making it. People want someone they can rely on to entertain them regularly.

Other Useful Skills:

• Be entertaining
• Brand yourself
• Network/collaborate with bigger channels
• Be innovative
• Be organized
• Have a strong work ethic
• Be ambitious
• Be authentic

How Many Views do You Need to Get Paid on YouTube?

Video blogging, or vlogging, has exploded in the decade YouTube has been around. There are more than 10 million hours of video on the platform, and people have figured out how to monetize it handsomely. Some vloggers make enough for a little pocket money, while others have turned it into a real career.

But when does YouTube start paying you for your channel’s videos?

Cost Per Impression

“Cost per impression” is the metric YouTube uses to gauge how much to pay you, also known as CPI. Every time someone sees an ad on your videos, it counts toward your account. At 10,000 views, the potential to get paid truly begins. With every 10,000 clicks, your number goes up.

CPI Dollar Amount

The average CPI is $2. Your videos may have a CPI ranging from a few cents all the way up to around $10. The way YouTube decides this is based on an algorithm and entirely up to their own discretion. Factors include the prices of the ads themselves, if your audience is watching the whole ad or not, your channel’s target audience and the popularity of your channel.

Adsense Account

If you garner enough traction from YouTube’s algorithm to start getting paid, it will come through AdSense. Like YouTube, AdSense is a separate entity, in this case, owned by Google. Most vloggers are paid via direct deposit monthly, typically on the 21st of every month.

However, be warned that the eligibility of your channel to receive payment at all is at the mercy of AdSense – and not all content meets its criteria. Check its rules carefully upon signing up. Vloggers with YouTube channels outside the United States may be paid by mailed checks or wire transfers.

How to Start Getting Paid

While most vloggers tend to monetize their YouTube channels via sponsorships or affiliate links, there is a distinct opportunity to get paid for your videos alone. Creating engaging and popular content ups your CPI; since you can’t be considered a contender for payment until you hit that all-important 10,000 views (and more!), it should be your focus.

Make videos about things that inspire you and light your passions, get an AdSense account, and focus your intentions on a higher and higher CPI.

Watch the Rules

Over the years, YouTube has tweaked its rules affecting payment for videos. These changes have sometimes taken vloggers by surprise, as YouTube typically makes them without advance notice. This means it pays to check the rules regularly. At the time of publication, your channel needs a minimum of 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 hours of viewing time in the past year before the money starts flowing in.

Careful of the Content

In the past, some “bad actors” took advantage of YouTube’s former content policies and posted videos of hate speech, violence and other offensive and fraudulent material. YouTube has tightened its standards and no longer allows this kind of content. To keep the money coming in from your videos, be careful that they follow YouTube’s community guidelines.

Tell Viewers to Subscribe

As you watch many vlogger’s videos, you’ll hear them tell you to “hit the Subscribe button.” Your getting paid depends on having subscribers; by reminding viewers to click the button, you’ll improve your chances of getting paid.

Can I Invest as an International Student?

Investing is a tricky subject to broach for anyone, but international students often have an even more difficult time determining which apps are best suited for their unique needs. The good news is that there are several top trading apps that can help you to put your money to work for a low initial start-up cost. There is something out there for you whether you happen to be looking for commission-free trades, a robo-advisor, or a platform that has great educational resources. 

The best investing apps for international students may require an F1 visa, a social security number, an account at a US-based bank, or a permanent US address. Be sure to check with each to determine requirements.

If you are ready to make a move on the stock market while you are living stateside, here is everything you need to know about these top investing apps.

1. Robinhood

International students who are in the United States under an F1 visa are permitted to participate in trading on the Robinhood platform. Robinhood offers a robust and comprehensive trading platform that allows investors to participate regardless of how much money they have to invest. They permit you to start with no account minimums, and they allow investors to purchase fractional shares of their favorite stocks. 

One of the major draws of Robinhood for international students is that it allows for commission-free stocks, options, and ETF trading. If they want to dabble in day-trading or make more frequent trades, this one savvy move can save a lot of money.

Robinhood is also ideal for those who want to get involved in cryptocurrency for free. This is a unique feature to Robinhood, as most of the major brokerages will charge a nominal fee for those who want to trade in crypto. 

The platform is extremely user-friendly, making it simple for even beginner investors who have limited knowledge of how the stock market works. 

Unfortunately, there are a few drawbacks to the Robinhood platform. The major one to note is that they do not offer any type of retirement account. Investors who are looking toward the future when they no longer wish to work will want to turn elsewhere for the tax benefits inherent to accounts like IRAs and 401(k)s. They also do not offer mutual funds or bonds. 

2. M1 Finance

M1 Finance is another of the top investment platforms for international students. In order to make use of this platform as an international student, you will need a green card or to be a permanent resident of the United States. A simple F1 visa will not be enough to allow you to invest through their platform in the United States. 

If you meet the requirements as an international student, M1 Finance is a great option to invest in. They offer commission-free trading and no account management fees. 

Unlike Robinhood, there is a small minimum account balance when investing in M1 Finance. For those who plan to use it solely as an investment account, the account minimum is rather small at just $100. Investors who are looking toward retirement will need to invest at least $500 into an IRA account. 

While there are minimal account balances, it is also important to note that you can get started with your favorite stocks for very little initial investment. Purchasing fractional shares of a high-end stock is always a possibility when investments are done through M1 Finance. 

One of the benefits of M1 Finance is that they offer automated investing at no additional charge for standard accounts. While investors can choose how and where to direct their funds, they can also choose from pre-made “pies” that are professionally designed to mimic certain investment strategies. This can be great for beginner investor who isn’t yet confident in their ability to select the right stocks.

3. Betterment

For those who are new to the world of investing, Betterment might be the best option. It will require a few additional details for international students though: 

• A permanent United States address
• A United States social security number
• A checking account at a United States bank

If you meet all these criteria, then Betterment is a comprehensive robo-advisor that can help you to reach your goals. 

One of the unique features of Betterment is its goal-setting tools that allow you to see whether you are on track to achieve your financial goals in any given time period. They even help investors to determine how much they should be contributing on a monthly basis if they hope to achieve those goals.

Much like many of the other best-investing apps for international students, the low account minimums make investing with Betterment easier. In fact, there is no required account minimum to get started. They also charge minimal fees with just a 0.25 percent management fee. 

Betterment is great for hands-off investors who want someone else to manage their funds for them. Investors can set up a customized portfolio and then allow the platform to maintain their trade with tax-loss harvesting and reinvesting dividends. Betterment also offers fractional shares so that every penny of what you want to invest can be put to good use.

4. Firstrade

The best option for international students who do not have a valid United States social security number is Firstrade. They cater to this niche market with an offering that is highly competitive, even among other investing apps. 

It is easy to see how you can save money on some of the fees associated with big-name brokers when you consider the benefits of Firstrade:

• $0 commission on all trades and $0 options contract fees
• No deposit minimum
• No hidden fees

If you are a cost-conscious investor who wants a platform that can grow with them, Firstrade is often an ideal fit. The platform is extremely user-friendly, making it easy for beginners to get their feet wet with their first few forays into the United States stock market. However, it has a suite of robust features that can be used by even more advanced traders. 

Besides being one of the few legitimate investing apps that do not require you to enter a social security number, they also have a nice range and selection of investment products. Investors can try their luck with stocks, ETFs, options, and mutual funds. This makes Firstrade even more robust than Robinhood while remaining as user-friendly as possible.

It also features extended-hours trading that spans from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM (EST), so investors have more time to close deals throughout the day. 

Many international students will love the customer service offered through Firstrade. They offer customer service representatives who speak both Cantonese and Mandarin.

5. Fidelity

International students who have a valid social security number may want to look into an account with Fidelity. When trading through their app, you gain access to an array of features and benefits that will help you to diversify your holdings for minimal cost. Fidelity features a selection of great commission-free ETFs as well as stocks and options. 

Much like the other best investment apps for international students, Fidelity also offers fractional share investing. International students can start by investing whatever they have available and know that their money is hard at work for them. There are no account minimums for the app, giving investors a great way into the market if they don’t have much to invest in the beginning. 

An area where Fidelity really shines is in its customer service. In addition to a resource center found on their website, investors can also access in-person services at more than 200 locations across the United States. Phone, chat, and email support are also available around the clock. 

There are two apps offered by Fidelity, but international students may want to consider getting the Fidelity Spire app which is more suited to young adults who haven’t spent much time dabbling in the stock market. It offers an easy-to-use interface along with a clear vocabulary that allows new investors to understand exactly what they are getting into.

Can F-1 Student Buy a House in the USA?

Studying in the U.S. has many perks such as getting an education from some of the top schools in the world. Living in the U.S. can, however, be a tough ball game. Rent is often expensive, so some people choose to rather buy an affordable house.

Can someone from abroad on an F1 (student) visa buy a house in the U.S.?

You would be surprised to know that it is possible. No law prohibits an international student from buying a house. But how do you buy it if you don’t have the cash? You can always try to get an F1 visa mortgage. This is how it works.

Immigrants can buy property in the U.S. But it might not always be that simple. It would be simple if you had the cash available. Then you can just speak to the agents managing the property you want and submit an offer. But what to do if you don’t have enough money? Can you get an F1 visa mortgage,

There are no laws in the U.S. that prohibit an international from owning property here. The bigger issue is whether you as an F1 student can afford a home. You’ll have to assess your situation, budget properly, and consider your future in the U.S. to determine whether it’s a good idea for you to buy a house here.

The place you are studying in will also affect your property search. Certain cities have expensive real estate which may limit the number of available options. It is already hard to get a mortgage as an F1 visa holder and it would be even harder if you had to buy a house in an area that has expensive real estate.

If cash is short all hope isn’t lost, however. It is definitely possible to get an F1 visa mortgage, but you’ll need to convince the lenders of your case. If you can prove you have sufficient income, your debt-to-income ratio is healthy, and fulfill all remaining requirements you may be able to buy a house on a mortgage.

The upside is you are also allowed to rent the property you buy out to earn extra income. This is legal even as an F1 visa student. You aren’t “working” for this money, so it does not breach the 20-hour workweek as prescribed in the conditions of your visa. Remember that you will need to file your federal and state income tax for the money earned through the property. Ask for professional help on how to file your taxes if you are unsure.

How to Buy a Home on an F1 Visa in the U.S

it would have been super easy to buy a house if you had the money. But most F1 visa holders don’t have the means to buy a house in cash. So here is the basic process you can follow to buy a house with an F1 visa mortgage.

Find the House You Want

You’ll first have to find a house you want which also matches the price you can afford. You need to provide the lender with information about this property when you apply for a mortgage. They want to know how much you need to borrow to buy the house. Speak to real estate agents who work in the area where you want to buy a house. They’ll be able to point out the good deals that fit your budget.

Find Lenders Willing to Serve Foreign Nationals

You are not a permanent resident (Green Card holder) and you don’t have an employment-based visa. You need to look for a lender that offers to help internationals like yourself. Traditional banks don’t really serve internationals in need of credit. Look for credible and reliable lenders who offer credit to visa holders.

Be careful to not fall prey to the many online scammers who want to swindle unsuspecting borrowers out of their cash. Look for lenders who have a real-world presence like physical offices and branches. Some online lenders won’t have that, but you can verify their legitimacy based on customer reviews.

Apply for an F1 Visa Mortgage

Apply for multiple F1 visa mortgages. Compare the loan offers you get to find the best one. Apply by submitting the required paperwork. This is almost like preparing for your F1 visa interview. You need to prove that you can afford the mortgage.

Here is a list of the type of documents lenders may require:

• Immigration documents
• Identification documents
• Previous tax declarations (Form W2 or Form I-9)
• Bank account and other asset statements
• Information regarding the house you want to buy

The lender wants to know about the house you want an F1 visa mortgage for. Then they want to know whether you can afford a mortgage for that house. This is why you need to provide details about your income. You may be required to submit many more types of documentation. The list above is just a basic outline.

Have Funds for a Sufficient Down Payment

There is a requirement in the U.S. for a 20% down payment. There are certain circumstances in which you can pay less, but the general requirement is a 20% payment of the total value of the home before you can get the mortgage approved.

Get the Mortgage Approved

Work with your lender of choice to get your mortgage approved. Supply everything they need and wait for the mortgage to be approved.

Buy the House

As soon as you have the money you can complete the purchase of the home. It depends on how your lender treats this process. They may very well be part of the purchase. Get the paperwork in order and buy the house. You might need a lawyer to assist in the legal procedures required to own a property. Your agent may be able to refer you to the right one.

Can I Start a Business With F1 Visa?

Starting a business in the United States requires a lot of legal documentation. Starting a business as an international student is even harder as visa requirements are complex.

Most international students enter the country with an F-1 visa. With an F-1 visa, one can own a business. However the business cannot be operating, meaning no revenue or salary to the owner with F-1 Visa. In this case, the entrepreneur has two options. One is to use Optional Practical Training (OPT) or acquire an H-1B visa, which most of the people choose to do.

Read Also: How Can I Earn Money Without Working?

OPT is granted to both undergraduate and graduates students after at least a year of studying in order for them to pursue jobs that are related to their studies. OPT is effective for 12 months. Although it is a relatively easy way to practice, there are several drawbacks if you are an entrepreneur.

First, it only lasts for a year. After that time, one must leave the country. Second, OPT has to be related to the most recent degree that one acquired. If you are a master’s student you cannot relate the job to your undergrad degree.

Starting a business with OPT is not sustainable so many people choose to acquire an H-1B visa. H-1B visa allows foreigners to work for three years, extendable to six years. People with H-1B visas either extend their visa or transfer to the green card after a certain time period. However, H-1-B visas have a strict application process. Below are the criteria for H-1B Visa:

• You  need a bona fide employer/employee relationship
• You cannot sponsor yourself
• You cannot have majority ownership of the company
• The employer must pay prevailing wage and agree to labor condition attestation

Once you have a visa to legally work in the United States, the next step is to decide what type of company your venture should be. Each type of formation has pros and cons so one should consider the proper form regarding the liability of owners and managers, centralization and flexibility of management, ownership interests, cost of formation and maintenance, and tax consequences.

Legal work may seem overwhelming when preparing a startup in the United States as a foreigner, but it is no impossible. If you see an opportunity that you want to pursue, review what you legal implications there may be, seek legal advice, and execute step by step.