International students who seek to gain experience or earn additional income may be curious about their eligibility to work remotely for a non-US company while studying in the US. Remote work, also known as telecommuting or work-from-home (WFH), involves completing tasks remotely, typically using a computer or phone. It doesn’t necessarily require one to be at home; one could work remotely from a coffee shop or library, though remote work policies vary among companies.

Remote work offers a lot advantages as it expands opportunities for individuals seeking employment. They are not restricted to local employers but can apply for positions anywhere in the world.

Recent Rules Update by USCIS Regarding work remotely for a non-US company

if you intend to pursue remote work with non-US companies, According recent rules update by USCIS. it’s not allow to work for a NON-US company to matain your OPT status.

Remote job prospects for international students with F-1 visas

Any work conducted within the borders of the US necessitates appropriate US work authorization, even if it entails remote employment for a company based in another country. The majority of international students in the US hold F-1 visas, permitting them to engage in part-time on-campus employment, but additional work authorization is required for any other form of employment. Off-campus work, including remote work, is typically prohibited during the initial year of study.

Following the first year, F-1 international students must obtain the work authorization to engage in remote work for either a US-based or non-US-based company.

This encompasses:

• Unpaid work such as an unpaid internship and some volunteer positions 
• Freelance work, “side gigs”, and sponsorships
• Remote work done during school breaks when you are still in the US

Remote work authorization options for international students

Optional Practical Training (OPT) enables international students to engage in employment either before or after graduation that aligns with their field of study. According to USCIS, OPT can be utilized for remote work with a non-US company, with a maximum of 20 hours per week permitted during the academic semester. During school breaks, students can work up to 40 hours per week.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a form of work authorization that permits F-1 international students to undertake paid or unpaid internships for academic credit during their degree program, provided the internship is relevant to their field of study. Similar to OPT, students may be eligible to pursue remote work opportunities using CPT as long as all other CPT requirements are met. CPT can be either full-time (up to 40 hours per week) or part-time (up to 20 hours per week).

Note： If you utilize one year of CPT or OPT during your academic program, you might not meet the eligibility criteria for the entire year of OPT post-graduation, which many international students rely on to stay in the US while pursuing another visa.

Some example cases of remote work for international students

• An international student engages in a remote internship for a Canadian-based company while pursuing studies in the US. In this scenario, the internship is permissible only if the student possesses appropriate work authorization, which could be obtained through the OPT or CPT programs outlined earlier.
• An international student undertakes freelance work remotely, such as graphic design, article writing, or consulting. Freelancing is sanctioned under both pre-graduation and post-graduation OPT, allowing individuals to freelance for non-US companies. Freelancers holding a student visa must meticulously document all assignments. They are restricted to working no more than 20 hours per week during academic sessions, and all tasks must be relevant to their field of study.
• An international student manages a monetized YouTube channel or possesses a sizable Instagram following, receiving sponsorship offers. While sponsorships may not constitute conventional income, they are recognized as compensated labor by US authorities. Hence, work authorization is requisite, with a potential avenue being the O-1 visa tailored for individuals demonstrating extraordinary abilities.

Legal alternatives to remote work for international students 

For international students, the repercussions of engaging in unauthorized employment in the US are significant. It could result in the revocation of your student visa, hinder your ability to obtain future visas, and lead to a ban on re-entry to the US for either three or ten years. To circumvent any complications with your visa status and future visa requests, ensure that you exclusively undertake work for which you possess legal authorization while in the US.

Here are some legal ways to earn income as an international student: 

• On-campus employment opportunities: You are eligible to pursue such positions starting from your first year of studies, and they need not be directly related to your field of study. Some on-campus roles may even offer remote or partially remote arrangements, such as serving as a social media coordinator for the university’s career center.
• Income from rental properties: If you own property in your home country, you can generate rental income from tenants while residing in the US.
• Investments in stocks: F-1 student visa holders are permitted to engage in US stock market activities, albeit with certain restrictions.
• Earnings from foreign publications: If you have previously published written works in another country, you can receive royalties from such publications.
• Remote work during school breaks: Once you depart from the US, you are no longer bound by US work authorization regulations and can engage in remote work as desired while on school holidays.

Conclusions

Even when conducting remote work for a non-US company, international students on an F-1 visa are required to possess work authorization. The avenues available for F-1 students seeking remote employment include the OPT and CPT programs. Alternatively, remote work is permissible solely during periods of traveling outside the US during school breaks.

Related Post: Tips to Consider When Traveling While on OPT Pending