Can I work as an independent contractor with a student visa?

No, it is not possible to work as an independent contractor with a student visa in California. Student visas are nonimmigrant visas and are issued to people who would like to come to the United States to study. This visa does not allow the holder to engage in any type of employment, either as an employee or as an independent contractor. In order to work as an independent contractor in California, you must have the necessary immigration status that allows you to work in the state and a valid work permit. Only certain types of immigrants are eligible for work permits, such as those with permanent residence status, refugees, and asylum seekers. Student visa holders are not eligible for a work permit in California, which means they cannot work as an independent contractor. If you wish to work while in the United States as a student, then you must apply for an employment authorization document. This type of permit is valid for one year and allows the holder to work in any job, whether as an employee or an independent contractor. This type of permit is issued to certain nonimmigrant visa holders, such as student visa holders, though you must meet certain criteria to be eligible. It is important to note that this permit is not a work visa and does not give the holder permission to remain in the United States beyond the validity period of the visa.

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No, en la mayoría de los casos, no es posible trabajar como contratista independiente con una visa de estudiante en California. Esto se debe a que la mayoría de las visas de estudiante prohíben a los estudiantes aceptar cualquier trabajo remunerado fuera de la universidad o institución educativa a la que asisten. Además, existen algunas excepciones, como el trabajo a tiempo parcial relacionado con el campo académico que estás estudiando. La única forma de trabajar legalmente como contratista independiente con una visa de estudiante en California es solicitar una autorización de trabajo de USCIS. Esta autorización (known as an Employment Authorization Document or EAD) se emitirá solo si se cumplen los requisitos establecidos por ley. Por tanto, es importante que entiendas las leyes y regulaciones sobre el trabajo para estudiantes con visas antes de iniciar cualquier trabajo remunerado.

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