Will USCIS review my income as a YouTube content producer when I apply for an F-1 visa for my Master’s degree? A portion of the money I will use to fund my studies comes from my engineering tutorials and informative videos. I am not an influencer per se, but I teach engineering hacks and techniques on this platform, providing me with a good income besides my current job. Also, I plan to apply for the EB-5 visa once I finish my studies. Would this also be part of the scrutiny?
Answers
Renata Duarte
EB-5 Immigration attorneysUsing past YouTube income as evidence of financial ability is fine, provided you can document it. For F-1 purposes, the government only cares that your funds are lawful, stable, and sufficient to cover tuition and living expenses.
After you enter the U.S. in F-1 status, you cannot engage in unauthorized employment under 8 CFR §214.2(f)(9), and this prohibition includes remote or online income if the services are performed while you are physically present in the United States. Continuing to create and monetize YouTube content while studying may therefore be considered unauthorized employment and could place your F-1 status at risk. Passive income from videos produced before arrival is less problematic, but ongoing activity that generates new income would need explicit authorization, such as CPT or OPT, to remain compliant.
DISCLAIMER: the information found on this website is intended to be general information; it is not legal or financial advice. Specific legal or financial advice can only be given by a licensed professional with full knowledge of all the facts and circumstances of your particular situation. You should seek consultation with legal, immigration, and financial experts prior to participating in the EB-5 program. Posting a question on this website does not create an attorney-client relationship. All questions you post will be available to the public: do not include confidential information in your question.