No. You cannot work from home for an Indian company if you are a resident of the United States. The constraints on H-4 visa holders pertain to employment and earning during the time the holder is within the United States.
If you have an H4 visa and no further authorizations, you are not permitted to undertake freelance work whilst in the States. This means that you are not permitted to work or be hired in the United States. This constraint holds regardless of where your customers are situated or what currencies you are compensated in.
The positive thing is that, just as you may work in the United States with an H4 Employment Authorization Document (EAD), you could likewise undertake freelance work with an H4 EAD.
Note that the H4 visa had been called the “golden cage.” On paper, it appears to be a fantastic offer. It permits close relatives members of H visa holders (who are already in the US) to join their relatives in the US. However what you don’t perceive at first look are the numerous restrictions that the H4 visa imposes.
Two of the major difficult restrictions are that you cannot acquire a social security number while an H4 visa holder and you certainly cannot work lawfully in the United States on the H4 visa alone. If the principal H-1B partner obtains an authorized Form I-140 via their employer’s application for their Green Card aka Permanent Residency, an H4 visa bearer can function on an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
An Employment Authorization Document (also recognized as Form I-766 or EAD) is a paperwork that allows a nonimmigrant visa bearer to operate in the United States if their visa does not already allow them to do so.
To be able to work, you should first obtain approval from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services. The EAD (a little card) itself serves as confirmation that you have been granted authorization to work. Prior to 2015, H4 visa recipients were not permitted to operate in the United States.
Following 2015, some H4 visa recipients with an EAD will be able to work. The EAD does not restrict you to a certain industry or employment type. You may work for any company in any field, and you could even freelance.
7 Legal Ways to Earn Money as an H4 Visa Holder
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Enroll as a student
While you are not permitted to work in the United States, you nevertheless possess the chance to further your studies. You remain qualified for in-state tuition under H4 status, and completing your schooling can give you the capabilities required to locate a company willing to sponsor an H-1B visa. However, unlike F1 visa holders, H4 visa recipients are never qualified for OPT (Optional Practical Training).
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Get compensated for your thoughts
Numerous businesses will compensate you to complete polls for consumer study purposes. The payment for every survey might come in the shape of gift cards, reward points, or cash value and it might take considerable time to accumulate a considerable amount.
The effort, though, is minor and has no bearing on your immigration status. Be certain you undertake basic analysis on the webpage or poll firm before you begin doing polls and sharing personal information.
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Create a YouTube channel
Creating a YouTube channel, including publishing a blog, is somewhat in a murky zone when generating passive cash on an H4 visa. It is against your visa requirements to construct a conduit to earn money. You may, however, build a channel for fun, but if marketers see merit in your channel, they can subscribe to add advertisements and other content on it. Earning income this way requires patience and is rarely guaranteed.
You must initially amass a sizable number of subscribers and views, but does not happen immediately. If you become successful, YouTube will offer you a fee to continue making videos and keeping your fans. Marketers may ultimately pay you for sponsored sponsorships.
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Purchase stocks
When you buy a stock, you are putting in a tiny portion of a publicly traded corporation. The objective is to buy in firms that will appreciate in value with time, allowing you to benefit when you trade your shares. You can sell no more than 4 equities each week as an H4 visa holder without jeopardizing your immigration status.
It should be noted that there are expenses associated with trading particular equities, and they may have an impact on your profit margin. You don’t require a lot of funds to begin investing.
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Participate in competitions and sweepstakes
Online competitions and sweepstakes offer a simple way to earn cash and many rewards. To keep abreast of recent prizes, qualification requirements, and ways to enter, visit online contest and sweepstakes listings as The Balance is Everyday website.
Examine social media for competition details and engage any forums that offer it. You may improve your chances of winning by looking for contests with many winners or local companies that are more likely to give out rewards to individuals in their region.
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Make a book or music
Use your creativity to make music or write a novel. You can lawfully receive compensation if your work is published, but only if you collaborate with a production company or publishing company situated outside of the United States. Although this isn’t a fast way to make money, it is worthwhile if you have a great narrative to tell or music to contribute. Be careful to declare any passive income you get on your tax filings.
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Invest in a startup business
Even though you are unable to work for a firm, nothing prevents you from putting money into a company and profiting from it. Although you might not be allowed to participate in the company’s management, you will receive all the perks of a passive investor.
Numerous peer-to-peer lending platforms will lawfully permit you to give loans to American enterprises and collect interest. You could broaden your portfolio by making several modest loans or making huge lump sum payments.
Conclusion
Two US legislators have presented legislation in the House of Representatives that would provide H-4 visa holders the unconditional permission to work in the nation, benefiting the wives of hundreds of immigrants, notably Indians, while simultaneously addressing the labor crisis facing American businesses.
However, as of the time of the publication of this article, H4 visa holders can qualify for an EAD. If the regulation is rescinded, the future of the H4 EOD scheme and present H4 EOD users is uncertain. If you are contemplating asking for an EOD, consult a respected immigration attorney to determine your available choices.