Opportunities while on H1

H

h1ent

New Member
I am currently an F1 student and my company would be applying for my H1 soon.

I am an entrepreneur at heart and am always looking for new opportunities.

What I want to know is is it legally permissible for me to talk to and pursue investment firms and look for funding for my projects while on an H1?

My plans are to (if possible) get investment for my product and get the H1 transferred under an investment firm or any other firm. The issue I want to know is whether I can pursue such opportunities while on H1.

While on the H1, I would NOT be earning any money other than from my H1-employer.
 
h1ent said:
What I want to know is is it legally permissible for me to talk to and pursue investment firms and look for funding for my projects while on an H1?

My plans are to (if possible) get investment for my product and get the H1 transferred under an investment firm or any other firm. The issue I want to know is whether I can pursue such opportunities while on H1.
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You can pursue it of course, but investment firms do investments, they don't employ entrepreneurs. I find it unlikely for you to succeed in this plan, but you can always try.
While on the H1, I would NOT be earning any money other than from my H1-employer.
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As long as you don't do any work other than for your employer named on the H1B petition, you're fine, but if you try to look for loopholes in order to be self employed while on H1B - you may get into trouble. Note that "not earning money" is not enough. You're not allowed to do any work, regardless of earning money.
 
littleadv said:
You can pursue it of course, but investment firms do investments, they don't employ entrepreneurs. I find it unlikely for you to succeed in this plan, but you can always try.


As long as you don't do any work other than for your employer named on the H1B petition, you're fine, but if you try to look for loopholes in order to be self employed while on H1B - you may get into trouble. Note that "not earning money" is not enough. You're not allowed to do any work, regardless of earning money.
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What does it mean to be self-employed? Doesn't it mean having an income? If I am on an H1, am I not allowed to look for other opportunities? I believe pitching ideas to investors is looking for opportunities, don't you think?
 
h1ent said:
What does it mean to be self-employed? Doesn't it mean having an income? If I am on an H1, am I not allowed to look for other opportunities? I believe pitching ideas to investors is looking for opportunities, don't you think?
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Self employed means working without an employer, you're your own employer. Not "having income" , "working". See the difference?
On H1 you're allowed to look for another opportunities, you're not allowed to make them.

Pitching ideas is fine, but building a prototype - not. Having a meeting is fine, but preparing a presentation for the meeting - not. See the problem?
 
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