How to get money on a K-1 Visa

[davidmatthews 0]

Hi There,

I will be moving to New York on a K-1 visa and wondered how long it will take after we are married to be able to work?

Is there a way to earn money while on the K-1 visa?

I run a part time web design business in the UK alongside my normal job and wondered if it would be possible to set up a freelance web design business, work for the business but not take any money until my EAD arrives (I am sure my clients would be happy not to part with their cash right away). There is mixed information about this topic and I could really use some advice.

Thank you to anyone who answers.

David

[Boiler 43,433]

Theoretic or Practical?

[marriott574 13]

If your working for UK customers and its a UK Business going into a UK bank account I cant see why not. I have no idea if this is legal as techniqually you are noy working in the US.

[Boiler 43,433]

If your working for UK customers and its a UK Business going into a UK bank account I cant see why not. I have no idea if this is legal as techniqually you are noy working in the US.

OP was asking about working whilst in the US.

[Penguin_ie 5,986]

Your EAD will arrive 3-ish months after you file for AOS. You canot legally work in the USA before that.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

I will be moving to New York on a K-1 visa and wondered how long it will take after we are married to be able to work?

Is there a way to earn money while on the K-1 visa?

I run a part time web design business in the UK alongside my normal job and wondered if it would be possible to set up a freelance web design business, work for the business but not take any money until my EAD arrives (I am sure my clients would be happy not to part with their cash right away). There is mixed information about this topic and I could really use some advice.

60-90 days from filing AOS is how long it takes to get the EAD/work permit.

If you work for UK clients and get paid to your UK bank account, technically, you're not taking a job from a US resident/citizen and it's not illegal.

It's illegal to work in the US for a US client and get paid in US funds.

It's basically a bit of a loophole and from my experience here many people do it and don't have trouble during the process because of it (you must declare it on your paperwork to in the employment section - self employed for example). However I'd hate to be the one on the receiving end if they DO decide it matters.

I personally wouldn't risk it because it's taken this long, and you're SO close. Better to save up before you head over (NY is expensive!!)

[Portlandia 15]

Hi There,

I will be moving to New York on a K-1 visa and wondered how long it will take after we are married to be able to work?

Is there a way to earn money while on the K-1 visa?

I run a part time web design business in the UK alongside my normal job and wondered if it would be possible to set up a freelance web design business, work for the business but not take any money until my EAD arrives (I am sure my clients would be happy not to part with their cash right away). There is mixed information about this topic and I could really use some advice.

Thank you to anyone who answers.

David

I'm interested in responses to this as I'm also self-employed in the UK, and there is a possibility that I can continue to do some work for UK clients after I emigrate. It's not a long term plan, but if it brings some money in while we're waiting for the EAD to come through, that would be good (we wouldn't use it for the AOS i864 though). I am assuming I would need to declare any income on my US tax return, but if I'm working for a UK registered company, for UK clients, I can't see how that could count against me (as long as I declare it on my US tax return). Maybe I'm wrong though?

[Boiler 43,433]

I'm interested in responses to this as I'm also self-employed in the UK, and there is a possibility that I can continue to do some work for UK clients after I emigrate. It's not a long term plan, but if it brings some money in while we're waiting for the EAD to come through, that would be good (we wouldn't use it for the AOS i864 though). I am assuming I would need to declare any income on my US tax return, but if I'm working for a UK registered company, for UK clients, I can't see how that could count against me (as long as I declare it on my US tax return). Maybe I'm wrong though?

Legally it is a no no.

However illegal working is forgiven ​when marrying a USC. And lets face it 11,000,000 plus are doing it a lot more obviously than you are talking about.

[davidmatthews 0]

Thank you for all the responses and I appreciate your feedback.

If there is a legal way to work (Even if I don't get paid straight away) or get some sort of income while waiting for the EAD then that would be great. I am still young and though I save pretty much everything I make there are so many costs involved, I wouldn't want to waste 3 months when I could be earning. On the other hand I read some unreliable sources quoting 6-8 months to get the EAD so I am a little relieved, at least 3 months isn't too bad.

I'll keep those of you who are interested posted on whether I find a way that enables you to earn while on a K-1.

Thanks!

[Boiler 43,433]

When I came over on the VWP, I baby sat, did house repairs, built a garden path etc etc. Similar deal with the K1. I did not get paid cash, but that is not really relevant.

Legally I found out later that was a no no, But I doubt if there are many people who have not broached this one. Never seen anyone have an issue with what you are talking about.

If you come married with a CR1 then you are good to go.

I know quite a few people who have second homes here, one couple had one built, well they did a lot of the finishing work. Now if they sell it they have made money, One of these areas that theory and practice divulge.

[davidmatthews 0]

Sorry I just had a thought.

The EAD can take 2-3 months from the date you file it but can you only file it when the 3 months on your K-1 visa is up, meaning it could be 6 months from Point of Entry?

Thanks

[davidmatthews 0]

When I came over on the VWP, I baby sat, did house repairs, built a garden path etc etc. Similar deal with the K1. I did not get paid cash, but that is not really relevant.

Legally I found out later that was a no no, But I doubt if there are many people who have not broached this one. Never seen anyone have an issue with what you are talking about.

If you come married with a CR1 then you are good to go.

I know quite a few people who have second homes here, one couple had one built, well they did a lot of the finishing work. Now if they sell it they have made money, One of these areas that theory and practice divulge.

Thanks for this and you have given me a few things to think about. I will have a look at other options to make sure I am pursuing the right one.

[Boiler 43,433]

You file once you have maaried, you need the documents which may delay things a few days.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Sorry I just had a thought.

The EAD can take 2-3 months from the date you file it but can you only file it when the 3 months on your K-1 visa is up, meaning it could be 6 months from Point of Entry?

Thanks

No.

You have 6 months (usually) to use the visa to enter the US. On entry the visa is "dead", useless. It's a one time deal.

Once in the US you have 90 days to get married and 90 days of legal presence under the I-94.

After marriage (whether that's day 1 after entry or day 89) you need to file AOS. There is no deadline to do so but once the I-94 expires you start accruing out of status days. Best advice is to file ASAP. If you got married day 1 and got the certificate a week later, you could file then.

Once you file AOS/EAD/AP it takes 60-90 days to get the EAD/AP. 6+ months for the GC.

[Inky 1,110]

Moved from K-1 process to working and traveling during immigration as the OP is asking about what happens after entry for working, not a K-1 process.