Freelancing For International Students: Is It Possible?

International students in the US may be entitled to work on-campus for up to 20 hours a week, but this does not include virtual or on-site-based freelance work. However, it is possible for international students to legally freelance while on a student visa, both before and after the completion of their studies. This can be done through OPT (Optional Practical Training) or CPT (Curricular Practical Training) programs. To avoid any issues with your visa status and future visa applications, make sure you only do work you are legally authorized to do while in the US.

Characteristics and Values Table for International Students Working as Freelancers

Work authorisation

International students in the US may be entitled to work on-campus for up to 20 hours a week, but this does not include virtual or on-site-based freelance work. Even if a student chooses to do virtual freelance work for an offshore company and receives payment via an account outside the US, they will be committing tax fraud as it is mandatory to disclose income earned while residing in the US.

International students in the US can work full-time on post-completion OPT (up to 40 hours a week in total) and part-time with pre-completion OPT. To qualify, the work must be related to the student's field of study. Students with a qualifying STEM major can extend post-completion OPT for up to 24 months, but they cannot freelance on this extension. It is recommended to save OPT until after graduation if possible.

International students in the US can also explore on-campus jobs, which can be remote or partially remote, such as working as a social media coordinator for the school's career centre. They can also look into rental properties, stocks and investments, and royalties from publications in another country.

In Canada, international students may be authorised to work either on or off-campus without getting a work permit, provided that they have satisfied the necessary requirements. Study permit holders can be self-employed if their study permit allows them to work off-campus. They can work up to 20 hours per week on and off campus, including freelance work.

Visa restrictions

International students on an F-1 visa can also use the CPT or OPT programs to work remotely for a non-US company while studying in the US. OPT allows students to work full-time (up to 40 hours per week) after graduation and part-time (up to 20 hours per week) before graduation. Self-employment and freelancing are allowed on OPT, but the work must be related to the student's academic major, and they must have the proper business licenses. Students can use OPT to work for multiple companies or clients as long as their total hours do not exceed the OPT limit. It is important to note that freelancing on OPT requires careful navigation to avoid risking one's visa status.

In Canada, international students with a study permit may be authorised to work on or off-campus without a separate work permit, provided they meet certain requirements. They can work up to 20 hours per week on campus and an additional 10 hours per week off-campus, including freelance work. To work as a freelancer in Canada, students must file taxes, and if they plan to work from home, they must check their lease contract and home insurance to ensure they are allowed and covered.

Record-keeping

International students in the US on F-1 visas are only authorised to work on campus unless they get additional work authorisation. This means that international students must take some preliminary steps with their schools before pursuing paid writing opportunities. However, with planning and good record-keeping, it is possible to legally freelance while on a student visa.

To ensure legality while freelancing, all work must be related to your academic major. It is important to take the right steps to avoid risking your visa status. The penalty for working illegally in the US is severe. You may lose your student visa, be banned from getting another visa in the future, and be banned from re-entering the US for three or ten years.

• Keep a meticulous log of assignments and the hours worked: Document all your outlets, contracts, and correspondences very carefully. Try to maintain a timesheet on a weekly basis, which could be a simple Excel sheet with the number of hours worked.
• Keep records of invoicing and taxes: As a freelancer, you are running a business, and it is important to keep track of your income and expenses for tax purposes. Many freelancers use accounting software like Xero to help them manage all the record-keeping requirements.
• Use a separate bank account for your freelance work: This will help you manage your finances and keep track of your income and expenses.
• Be mindful of payment platforms: Consider which payment platforms you will use to receive payments from clients. While bank transfers may be suitable for local payments, international clients may prefer platforms like PayPal or Wise.
• Keep track of your work authorisations: As an international student, you must have the proper work authorisations in place to freelance legally. Keep records of any paperwork or authorisations related to your freelancing work.
• Stay organised: Good organisation skills are essential for successful record-keeping. Create a filing system, whether physical or digital, to store all your important documents. Set reminders to ensure you are meeting any reporting or tax obligations.

Remember, each country's regulations are different, and it is important to consult official government sources for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

Work limits

International students in the US may be entitled to work on-campus for up to 20 hours a week, but this does not include virtual or on-site-based freelance work. However, with planning and good record-keeping, it is possible to freelance while on a student visa, both before and after the completion of their studies.

International students must take some preliminary steps with their schools before pursuing paid writing opportunities. This means that they must receive school authorization to pursue off-campus work. Visa restrictions also stipulate that foreign students at any academic level can work no more than half-time at their host universities.

International students can use their post-completion OPT to freelance and work full-time up to 40 hours a week in total. They can even freelance for multiple different companies or clients as long as their total hours do not exceed the OPT limit. It is important to note that all work must be related to the student's academic major.

In Canada, international students may be authorized to work either on or off-campus without getting a work permit, provided that they have satisfied the necessary requirements. Study permit holders can be self-employed if their study permit allows them to work off-campus. They can work up to 20 hours per week on and off-campus, including freelance work.

Work type

International students in the US may be entitled to work on-campus for up to 20 hours a week, but this does not include virtual or on-site-based freelance work. However, with planning and good record-keeping, it is possible to legally freelance while on a student visa, both before and after the completion of their studies. It is important to take the right steps to avoid risking your visa status. For example, if you work more than 20 hours a week while classes are in session, you will be violating the terms of your visa.

International students in the US can use websites like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer.com to find freelance jobs. They can also apply for OPT (Optional Practical Training) to work full-time for up to 40 hours a week in total. This includes freelancing for multiple companies or clients, as long as their total hours do not exceed the OPT limit. It is important to note that OPT work must be related to the student's academic major.

International students in Canada may be authorised to work either on or off-campus without getting a work permit, provided that they have satisfied the necessary requirements. Study permit holders can be self-employed if their study permit allows them to work off-campus. However, it is important to check the specific rules and regulations, as there may be restrictions on the number of hours worked and the type of work performed.

In the UK, Australia, and New Zealand, the laws and regulations regarding international students engaging in freelance work while on a student visa may vary. It is important to consult official government sources or seek legal advice to understand the specific requirements and restrictions in these countries.

Frequently asked questions