Question regarding my status

[matt1976]

I am little confused. I am canadian and was a bussiness man before I came to US as a student. I was not aware that I cann't do bussiness in US when I am on student visa. I did couple of dealings and even got EIN number. I didn't recieve any money from client on my SSN. Money went to my canadian account.
What is my status now? My wife is going to apply for GC for me. Do you think INS will be aware in any possible way that I did bussiness (I just did it for 3 months). Should I make them aware of this. Will it constitute a crime? Since I was totally unware of this thing will there be some pardon.

 

[Abdenour Achab]

You are out of status, but ...

I am little confused. I am canadian and was a bussiness man before I came to US as a student. I was not aware that I cann't do bussiness in US when I am on student visa. I did couple of dealings and even got EIN number. I didn't recieve any money from client on my SSN. Money went to my canadian account.
What is my status now? My wife is going to apply for GC for me. Do you think INS will be aware in any possible way that I did bussiness (I just did it for 3 months). Should I make them aware of this. Will it constitute a crime? Since I was totally unware of this thing will there be some pardon.

Hi Matt,

In theory, you are out of status. You worked for an off campus employer (your own business) without authorization. My best guess is USCIS won't find out (unless they read your post). If I was you, I wouldn't worry too much about it, but I would also stop working for own business until I get EAD. Once you get EAD (soon after you file I-485), then you can work for your own business, legally.