During OPT, starting a business and being self-employed is allowed, but the business must be related to your field of study. If you start a business during the STEM OPT Extension, you must meet E-verify and wage requirements.
Initial OPT
As long as your business is related to your field of study, you are allowed to start a company. For example, if you study computer science, it will be reasonable to run a business that offers website development and coding services. You can advertise on self-employment platforms, have the income go into a business account, and then transfer it to your personal account. Although the earnings might not compare to those from big tech companies, this approach provides job security and helps maintain your legal status without the fear of layoffs.
STEM OPT Extension
If you are self-employed during the STEM OPT Extension, you will need to adjust your position within your company. To successfully use the OPT Extension for self-employment, you must:
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Demonstrate that you can be fired: If you have an LLC that is not a single-member LLC, you can hire a manager to oversee operations. For example, the company can have a CEO (a friend) and a technician (yourself). You just need to prove that someone else has the authority to terminate your employment.
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Get E-Verified: E-Verify is a basic requirement for STEM OPT employers. Registering for E-Verify is straightforward: visit the E-Verify website, go through the necessary information, answer some test questions, and you will be able to have your company E-Verified.
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Meet STEM OPT wage requirements: Your work must be paid, but there is no minimum wage threshold.
Starting a company under initial OPT is common, but it becomes more complicated and risky for STEM OPT Extension. If you want to stay in the U.S. but cannot find an employer, consider enrolling in a Day 1 CPT program to legally extend your stay.