Receiving Payments on US Student Visa

[QueenOfHearts]

I wasn't sure where to post this thread so I decided to post this here in the Lounge. If this needs to be in a different place, mods please move this. Thank you!

Hello BHW!

I'm actually an international student studying in the States with a student visa. As I know, the student visa does not allow me to earn as long as I'm in the States. As a result, I don't have to pay taxes.

Right now, I'm about to receive some payments from Amazon. I wish to use the direct deposit with my Wells Fargo checkings account. Is this safe in terms of "not allowed to earn"? Would the government or anyone detect that I'm "earning"? I'm unclear of this. If anyone could clarify this for me, that would be fantastic.

Thank you!

 

[QueenOfHearts]

Bumping... Anybody...?

 

[BassTrackerBoats]

I know a guy that got in trouble earning money on a student visa in the US... he got deported for working at a minimum wage job.

I would ask an attorney to be safe... I would not trust what I hear in a public forum on this as it could have serious implications.

 

[AutoSeoPro]

Better open payoneer account and receive money on their mastercard.

 

[LostConnection]

Either open up an account on a service like Payoneer or Paxum, or

I would ask an attorney to be safe... I would not trust what I hear in a public forum on this as it could have serious implications.

Because you might get into a nice amount of trouble, just as Bass said.

 

[QueenOfHearts]

I know a guy that got in trouble earning money on a student visa in the US... he got deported for working at a minimum wage job.

I would ask an attorney to be safe... I would not trust what I hear in a public forum on this as it could have serious implications.

Better open payoneer account and receive money on their mastercard.

Either open up an account on a service like Payoneer or Paxum, or


Because you might get into a nice amount of trouble, just as Bass said.

Alright guys, I'll have a look at talking to an attorney. In the mean time, I'll get Payoneer setup. Thanks!

 

[joat87]

you're fine as long as you dont make transactions over 10k or close to 10k at once and constantly keep your bank under 10k or at least a month or two before you file taxes. as an international student you could get a tax id number if you want to file taxes. but to let you know they are not interested in a few thousands you'll be making and it would cost them way more to chase you down. so earn freely bro and f*** uncle sam

 

[BassTrackerBoats]

you're fine as long as you dont make transactions over 10k or close to 10k at once and constantly keep your bank under 10k or at least a month or two before you file taxes. as an international student you could get a tax id number if you want to file taxes. but to let you know they are not interested in a few thousands you'll be making and it would cost them way more to chase you down. so earn freely bro and f*** uncle sam

Gosh, that is horrible advice.

Dont just ignore it, cut out the part of your brain that received it and grind it up.

A Federal detention facility is not pleasant.

 

[Golonzo]

You can also open an offshore bank account, or a bank account in your home country. Payoneer seems like the best option, probably going to open one as well.

 

[Zwielicht]

 

[MafiaBoss]

keep the money virtual until you marry a nice senorita in the US and get a Green card.

 

[BlackH@tWorld]

The advice in this thread are really terrible. Accept it Americans, you guys don't have a clue about what he is asking.

@OP- In a student visa, you are not allowed to earn MEANS you are not allowed to TAKE A JOB OR OPEN A PHYSICAL BUSINESS. Getting paid online IN MOST CASES would be fine (example, from Adsense/Amazon etc). However, you WILL HAVE to pay taxes on those earnings. Getting paid via payoneer and not reporting it will be regarded as an offence. The only case where you are not allowed to earn online is when you are conducting a de facto physical business (eg. selling physical goods on Amazon as a third party seller).

@Everybody - Are you guys actually suggesting that if a young blogger moves to US on a F1 Visa he won't be allowed to earn money with his blog (adsense and affiliate programs) ??!

@OP - You need to speak with an attorney to figure out tax implications and all the relevant laws. But in essence, yes you can earn money online BUT you will need to report it. Using Payoneer for avoiding detection will be a bad idea.

 

[hatoriconan]

thanks guy