Starting a business. I am an international student on an F1 visa graduating this May. Not yet filed for OPT

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Starting a business. I am an international student on an F1 visa graduating this May. Not yet filed for OPT

Anonymous Feb 20, 2014 2 views 1 answers

I am interested in applying for a social entrepreneurship grant. The grant requires I form an LLC to receive it. If I get the grant, I will have to work on the project myself (I will own >50% of the LLC), along with a few other US citizens who will be partners in the LLC. Will I break any laws if I do so? If so, what other options do I have? Thank you in advance.

Richard Arlen Alvoid Jr.Immigration AttorneyPensacola, FL · Accepted Answer · 2026-06-15T10:47:33+00:00

Giving your labor or services in exchange for compensation is work. If you do not have OPT or other work permission, you would be violating your F-1 status. And the grant would probably not consider giving money under such circumstances. If you are only a passive partner, then some might argue you are not in violation of your status, but this is not terra firma and will make your next admission or application to the USCIS unsteady if disocvered.

Starting a business. I am an international student on an F1 visa graduating this May. Not yet filed for OPT

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