Can I receive consultant fees on an H1B

KneeMD

New Member
Hello everyone!

I'm a first time visitor and poster, so please be gentle. I have a pretty straight-forward question...I'm afraid I know the answer already, but I am hoping for some educated advice from some of the veterans of this board.

My situation is as follows:

I am working as a post-MD researcher at a state university on the west coast, who have sponsored me on a H1B visa. The professor who endorsed me has since moved on to work for a non-profit. He is maintaining an adjunct professor position at the school, however. I continue to be employed by the university, paid mostly through money from grants that I wrote.

Now, the non-profit has approached me to work "for them" as a consultant and medical writer. Or rather, bill them for work I do in my free time, away from the university - this would not interfere with my duties at the state university, time-wise. They want me to bill them an hourly fee for consultant duties and medical writing. As you might all know, state salary on the west coast is pretty low, and I feel compelled to do this regardless, even if for the publications alone in case I cannot accept payment.

The obvious question - can I bill a third party (non-profit) for a salary while still employed under a H1B from a state university, if this does not interfere with my job duties? Can I do ANY other paid work to supplement my researcher salary?

Thanks in advance for your help, and good luck to all!
 
I am sure they don't want you on their payroll, but they could hire you on a second h1b.

other option would be to route the income through the university, but then you won't see much of it (deans tax etc.).

I don't believe it would be legal for you to take consultant payments as an independent contractor.
 
Hadron,

Thank you for the swift reply. Of course, no surprises there...I didn't think of asking for a 2nd H1B, but that might be a tough task. Routing money through the U is useless, they don't endorse outside work (been there before).

Oh well, looks like another pro bono publication looms. Again, thanks for your help, I appreciate it !

Knee Doc
 
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