Self-Employment under OPT STEM extension

[stem_visa]

I'm currently on my F1 visa on OPT and have filed for the 17-month STEM extension. I work for an e-verified employer, haven't accrued any days of unemployment and thus expect that it is going to be approved within the next 2 months.

Right now I consider transitioning into self-employment working as an independent consultant and contractor. I already have multiple inquiries for client projects and could start working right away. My plan is to be working on different client projects full-time in a field related to my studies.

From the documentation on the STEM extension I know that I will have to get the appropriate business licenses and register myself as an employer with E-Verify.

Here are my questions (under the assumption that I have done the two things above). I hope someone will be able to shed some light:

• Can I transition to being self-employed while my STEM extension approval is pending?
• What is the best way to prove that I'm working full-time while being self-employed?
• I expect that the projects will only start 1-2 weeks after leaving my current job. Can I be unemployed while my STEM extension approval is pending?

[f1to]

Hi,

Can you please share some information like, where can we find details about independent contracting while in OPT.

Thanks in advance.

[kabkaba]

If you check OPT guidance on SEVIS website, it permitted for you to join an EVerified company as an independent contractor (you don't need to form your own company). The job must of course be in your field of study.