confused > visa + research

[umniah2013]

I have  F1 visa for a course I'm studying in the US. I got to know a professor from a  close by university. We talked and I agreed to be assisting in his research as an opportunity for me to learn more about the field. I've not applied to any university yet. I intend to do so soon.

 

My question is would assisting in a study be a violation of the  F1 status?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Points to consider before answering:

 

1. I'm spending almost two months oversees as a vacation ( & doing what I can to assist in the study). Thus, I never thought of it as a violation of F1 status. 

2. It is not a full time job. I meet with him online and occasionally travel to his city for further discussions. 

 

Now...What do you think of my situation? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[fuzzylogician]

I hesitate to even offer an opinion. 

 

You should absolutely not trust what we think -- you need to contact the international students office at your university and consult with them. There may be a way to make this arrangement work, but it is out of the ordinary so you need to be careful. The way it might work is if it's not a job but rather a scientific collaboration with a professor from another university, and in that case it shouldn't be a problem at all, collaborations are a normal thing in any science. You probably can't be a research assistant, though, because that sounds like a paid position. Figure this out, your immigration status is not something to play with! 

[umniah2013]

Thank you so much for answering.

I was freaking out...because there are lots of things that I didn't consider. I just saw a good opportunity to learn. I never thought of the Visa thing! 

 

It is definitely a collaboration right now. As I help with my knowledge of specific things in the study and arrange for analysis. However, he mentioned something about paying me..but it was just an idea he discussed. I don't intend to accept payment for the collaboration as I just want to learn and keep myself as a volunteer. Do you think  it would still be a problem that way? I mean my understanding of what you said that as long as there would be no payment then it would be considered a collaboration?? 

 

 

 

I will talk to someone from the international office tomorrow. I just panicked and wanted to know what other people think...

[TakeruK]

I also want to preface this with the same warning by fuzzy -- that we aren't experts in immigration law!

 

Under some conditions, a F-1 student is allowed to work while on F-1 study status. There are two separate programs, called "Curricular Practical Training" (CPT) if you are going to be working while still enrolled in your degree program. The main restriction is that this must be either required for your degree (e.g. a co-op) or something that you can get credit for (i.e. if your supervisor decides to let you count this work as "independent study" or something.

 

There is also "Optional Practical Training" (OPT) which you can apply for during your program or after you graduate. It is basically a work permit approval for paid work in your field of study. You are limited to 12 months of this (29 months in some fields) and the International Office told us that many students prefer to use their OPT after graduation instead.

 

Here is one possible resource for more info, in case you want to find out some more info before seeing your International Office staff: http://www.isso.cornell.edu/immigration/f1/F-1work.pdf However, talking to them would definitely be the best idea!! 

Edited August 5, 2013 by TakeruK

[Andean Pat]

I was going to say what fuzzy said, consult with your International Students Office. They know better than anyone the rules and regulations of your status.