How dire is my situation?

[SomeoneHere314 0]

So, I might be in extremely dire straits. I’m a college student in an F-1 visa, in my junior year, and I and my US citizen fiancé are planning on marrying in the next few years, after which I’d apply for adjustment of status. One issue with that, however, is that when I was in my freshman year, I developed a mobile app, which ended up being in the App Store and in the Google Play Store for a while. I did it for fun, it was a personal project of mine I enjoyed playing with, and it was always free, so I never earned a cent from it. I also recall talking to my DSO about the matter when I was doing it, and she seemed to think it wasn't a big deal. However, I’m afraid it might be considered unauthorized work. 

 

How dire is my situation? Also, is it the case that immediate relatives of US citizens are exempt from grounds of inadmissibility related to unauthorized work, as this seems to imply?

[Crazy Cat 39,736]

Working without proper authorization in the US is illegal.  Developing a free app  is not work.  I don't see an issue as you described it.

Edited January 29, 2021 by Lucky Cat

[davidvs 320]

37 minutes ago, SomeoneHere314 said:

Also, is it the case that immediate relatives of US citizens are exempt from grounds of inadmissibility related to unauthorized work, as this seems to imply?

Yes, you are interpreting that correctly.

[FattieBanton 35]

considering some of the stories i've read on this page, i was expecting something really dramatic. a truly tough situation. yours doesn't seem like a problem at all.

[Paul Hanaki 70]

Yea it's like mowing your own lawn or taking photos of your fiancé.  You are doing for your own self and are not making money. So don't even bring it up as it is not relevant.  Now if you were paid to create the app or you sold it or got ad money then that is different but would be forgiven once you are married but it could be grounds for violation of your F1 if you don't have a work authorization with it. I think my ex could work on campus with her F1.

[nendu 86]

You are fine. Especially if you are a CS or engineering major, you need to continue to do it as projects like those are what employers look for. Just don't charge any money and you will be fine.

[sweetadams 138]

On 1/29/2021 at 2:22 PM, SomeoneHere314 said:

So, I might be in extremely dire straits. I’m a college student in an F-1 visa, in my junior year, and I and my US citizen fiancé are planning on marrying in the next few years, after which I’d apply for adjustment of status. One issue with that, however, is that when I was in my freshman year, I developed a mobile app, which ended up being in the App Store and in the Google Play Store for a while. I did it for fun, it was a personal project of mine I enjoyed playing with, and it was always free, so I never earned a cent from it. I also recall talking to my DSO about the matter when I was doing it, and she seemed to think it wasn't a big deal. However, I’m afraid it might be considered unauthorized work. 

 

How dire is my situation? Also, is it the case that immediate relatives of US citizens are exempt from grounds of inadmissibility related to unauthorized work, as this seems to imply?

Your situation is not dire as you weren't paid or earn any money from the app. 

[mydas28 19]

In my first year of master's, while on an F1 visa, I developed a free app which was on the playstore and appstore. It was part of my master's project as well. Since then i have received CPT, OPT on my F1 visa,  H1B visa, GC EAD and finally GC (without interview). Rest assured, you will be fine. So in conclusion, your situation is not dire at all! I hope this helps!

Edited February 15, 2021 by mydas28