International Students: Amazon Sellers?

International students often look for ways to make extra income, and one popular option is selling on online marketplaces such as Amazon. However, the ability for international students to sell on Amazon depends on their visa type, as some visa categories allow for limited business activities, while others are more restrictive. For example, international students on an F1 visa are typically not allowed to engage in off-campus employment, including selling on Amazon, as this would be considered unauthorized work. However, there may be exceptions, and some visa holders might be able to engage in passive income-generating activities. It is important to consult an immigration attorney or check the relevant websites for the most up-to-date information before engaging in any activities that could potentially violate visa terms. Additionally, international students selling on Amazon will need to complete specific tax forms, such as Form W-8BEN for foreign persons receiving US-source income.

F1 visa holders and selling on Amazon

International students on F-1 visas are typically not allowed to engage in off-campus employment, including selling on Amazon. This is because F-1 visas do not allow students to conduct any type of business or work in the US. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule, such as on-campus employment, CPT, or OPT.

If you are an F-1 visa holder and want to sell on Amazon, it is important to consult an immigration attorney first. This is because selling on Amazon as an F-1 visa holder could potentially violate the terms of your visa. One way to get around this issue is to set up a business in your home country and get paid through your business bank account. This way, you are not getting paid directly from a US corporation, which could be considered a job in the US, which is not allowed on an F-1 visa.

Another option for F-1 visa holders who want to sell on Amazon is to use a tool like Flipl, which can help maximize profits and ensure compliance with visa restrictions. Flipl is specifically designed for international students and specific visa holders who want to sell online.

It is important to note that trying to hide income from Amazon sales from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, such as by using an offshore bank account, could be considered fraud and result in serious consequences, including fines, jail time, and deportation. Therefore, it is always best to consult an immigration attorney or another qualified professional before engaging in any activities that could potentially violate the terms of your visa.

H1B visa holders and selling on Amazon

H1B visa holders should exercise caution when considering selling products on Amazon. While Amazon allows non-US residents to open seller accounts in the US Amazon market, providing their bank's information from their home country, certain types of visas impose restrictions on conducting business or working.

H1B visa holders are not permitted to have any income other than H1B income, except from passive sources like stocks and savings account interest. Selling goods on Amazon could be considered a form of active income, which may violate the terms of the H1B visa. It is important to note that hiding income from the sale of goods on Amazon from immigration authorities may be considered fraud.

However, some sources suggest that passive investment is allowed on H1B visas, and buying and selling goods for profit could be considered a form of temporary passive investment. In this case, seeking advice from a lawyer is recommended to ensure compliance with visa regulations.

Additionally, it is worth noting that H1B visa holders can engage in network marketing-related businesses, such as Amway, without violating the terms of their visa. Still, selling products on Amazon, particularly through the Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) program, may be considered unauthorized employment by the USCIS.

In conclusion, while it may be tempting to explore alternative income streams, H1B visa holders should proceed with caution when considering selling products on Amazon. Consulting with a qualified immigration lawyer is strongly advised to ensure that any income-generating activities do not jeopardize their visa status or result in legal consequences.

J1 visa holders and selling on Amazon

If you are a J1 visa holder and are considering selling on Amazon, it is important to understand the restrictions that come with your visa status. J1 visa holders are only permitted to work for the program sponsor, and engaging in any additional work, including selling on Amazon, could potentially violate the terms of your visa.

Amazon allows non-US residents to open Seller Accounts in the US Amazon marketplace as long as they provide their bank's information from their home country. However, as a J1 visa holder, you are restricted in the work you can undertake, and selling on Amazon may be considered a violation of your visa terms. It is important to note that visa regulations are subject to change, and it is always recommended to consult an immigration attorney or check the USCIS website for the latest information and specific guidance on your situation.

If you are considering selling on Amazon as a J1 visa holder, there may be some alternatives to consider. One option could be to explore passive income-generating activities, such as investing in stocks or real estate, which may be permitted under your visa status. Additionally, you could consider using Amazon's Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) service, which allows individuals to sell products on Amazon without directly employing them. However, even with FBA, there may be complexities regarding work authorization and whether it is considered unauthorized employment by the USCIS.

It is important to remember that the information provided here should not be interpreted as legal advice. For specific guidance on your situation, it is always best to consult a qualified immigration attorney or seek advice from relevant government websites.

International students selling on Amazon FBA

International students on an F-1 visa in the US are not allowed to conduct any type of business or work. However, Amazon permits non-US residents to open Seller Accounts in the US Amazon market as long as they provide bank information from their home country.

If an international student sets up an Amazon Seller account as an individual from their home country, they may consider it doing business/work from their home country. Still, it is unclear whether this will count as a violation of their F-1 status.

Some suggest that getting paid through Amazon FBA as an international student with an F-1 visa may be possible if they are incorporated in their home country and get paid through their corporation. However, setting up a business in the US and getting paid through a US corporation may be considered dangerously close to a job in the US, which is not allowed on an F-1 visa.

International students in Canada on a study permit may also question their eligibility to do FBA. While they are not forming an LLC, they believe it should be fine since they are just buying and selling. However, operating an Amazon business as an international student can risk losing their student visa. To use FBA, one must start a business in the country with associated taxation, business license, and legal liability implications.

International students selling their own books on Amazon KDP

International students on F1 visas are not permitted to conduct any type of business or work in the US. However, Amazon allows non-US residents to open US Amazon seller accounts as long as they provide their bank's information from their home country. This has led some international students to question whether setting up an Amazon Seller account and selling their own books on Amazon KDP would be considered a violation of their F1 status.

Some students have argued that selling books on Amazon KDP is not considered unauthorized work, as it does not interfere with their studying and only takes up a couple of hours per week. However, others have pointed out that writing, publishing, and selling a book in the US would be considered active employment and, therefore, a violation of their visa status.

If an international student on an F1 visa sets up an Amazon Seller account in the US market and uses an offshore bank account to receive payments, this could be considered fraud. This could result in fines, jail time, and deportation.

To avoid any legal issues, international students on F1 visas may consider setting up a business in their home country and getting paid through that business account. Alternatively, they can explore selling their book's rights to an international publishing company.

When publishing a book on Amazon KDP, there is only one Kindle Direct Publishing platform that covers all of Amazon's 13 different book markets. This means that authors only need one account to publish their books worldwide. Authors can choose to have Amazon sell their books in all of its markets or just the original one. To advertise in specific markets, authors can select their book in the KDP dashboard, choose "Promote and Advertise," and then select the desired market.

Frequently asked questions