Contractor on OPT

[aravinda24]

Hi,

Im currently on OPT (within the first year), F-1.

I wish to know whether I can be hired by a company as an "Independant Contractor"? that is like, me offering my services to a company on a contract basis.

thank you
awaiting your responses,
AP

 

[vectorP]

there is NO relationship of "employer-employee"

For OPT only, the "Independant Contractor" may be fine. But you should avoid it if you can.

For other working visa, like H1B, L1 visa, you should not take the job as "Independant Contractor".

The problem for "Independant Contractor" is that there is NO relationship of "employer-employee", and there is NO "formal payroll records" (these is a year end tax form).

Since you are not employee of the company, you can not apply for H1B status or L1 status as an Independant Contractor.

Also see: http://www.greencardapply.com/l1visa/l1visa_qualify.htm and http://www.greencardapply.com/question/question05/question05_0308.htm

 

[HKAndy]

You are ok as far as F1 OPT is concerned. You will want to make sure that the IC is somehow related to your degree; that you are working more than 20 hours a week and that you have reported the company who has hired you as an IC to your sponsoring university.