Can H1B Sell On Amazon? Best Guide & Details
Can H1B sell on Amazon? the answer is No! The United States has laws that governs the activities of holders of certain types of visa in the country, one of such visas is the H-1B visa.
While in the United States with your H1B visa, you might be tempted to try opening an account and selling on Amazon, this is because selling on Amazon opens another stream of income for you.
However, while you can open and account and sell on Amazon from another country, staying in the United States with the H-1B visa puts a limitation to how you can generate income or run any other business.
The question now is “Can H1B sell on Amazon? Before we give you a comprehensive answer to this question, let us first explain what does H-1B visa stand for.
What Does H-1B Visa Stand For?
The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows U.S. employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations. The “H” refers to the temporary employment visa classification, while the “1B” refers to the specific category within the H visa classification that is reserved for specialty occupations.
Specialty occupations are defined as jobs that require a specialized body of knowledge and a bachelor’s degree or higher in a related field as a minimum requirement for entry into the occupation.
Some examples of specialty occupations include software engineers, accountants, and medical professionals. Also read guide on how to ungate Nike on Amazon
Can H1B Sell On Amazon?
Anyone holding H1B visa can not sell on Amazon, this is because the law prevents such persons to actively work for any other business or company except the one that holds their H1B visa.
Taking up another job whether part-time or full-time as a H1B visa holder is a clear violation of terms, you are not even allowed to take up a different role in the same company that is holding your H1B except the role that is stated in your approved petition.
You are not generally expected to have another source of income while in the United States other than working and earning from the employer that holds your H1B.
Can I Sell Online While On H1B?
No, you can not sell online, H1B visa holders are generally not allowed to engage in self-employment or start a business while on H1B visa status. The terms of the H1B visa require the visa holder to work for the sponsoring employer and the employment must be a “specialty occupation” that requires a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Engaging in any other activity that generates income and requires time is considered illegal and a violation of the visa terms. But, there are some limited circumstances where an H1B visa holder may be able to engage in additional employment outside of their primary job, such as part-time work or occasional consulting, but starting a business or engaging in self-employment is generally not allowed on an H1B visa.
Also read What Is Product Tax Code On Amazon?
Can I Sell On Amazon On H4 Visa?
Yes, holders of H-4 visas are allowed to engage in business activities like selling on Amazon and also running their private businesses, this is as long as they are not employed by others.
H4 visa holders are generally allowed to sell on Amazon, as long as they comply with all applicable laws and regulations. H4 visa holders are dependents of H1B visa holders and are not allowed to work in the United States unless they obtain an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
In essence, H4 visa holders are allowed to engage in certain activities that are not considered employment, such as starting a business, working on a voluntary basis, or engaging in freelance work. Selling on Amazon may fall under one of these categories, depending on the specifics of the H4 visa holder’s activities.
Bear in mind that you may be required to obtain necessary permits for your business activities, this depends on the local and state regulations. Find out if Amazon Hire With Misdemeanors
Can F1 Students Sell On Amazon?
Yes, you can sell on Amazon as a F1 student if it is not considered an employment and if you have taken the necessary approval from the authorities before hand, you are also required to report your earnings from your transactions on Amazon during your stay in the U.S. for tax purposes.
As an F1 student, you are allowed to work on campus for up to 20 hours per week during the academic year and up to 40 hours per week during school breaks. However, off-campus employment is generally only allowed if it is related to your field of study and if you have obtained authorization from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Selling on Amazon can be considered a business activity, and it is unclear whether it would be considered employment or self-employment for the purposes of F1 visa regulations. It would depend on the specific circumstances, such as the amount of time and effort you are devoting to the activity, whether it is generating income, and whether it is related to your field of study.
If selling on Amazon is considered self-employment, you would need to obtain authorization from the USCIS to engage in this activity. You may want to consult with an immigration attorney or your designated school official (DSO) to determine whether you are eligible to engage in this activity and to explore the best course of action.
Can You Sell On Amazon With A Visa?
Yes, you can sell on Amazon with a visa, but the type of visa you hold may determine your eligibility and the requirements you need to meet.
For example, if you are in the United States on an F1 student visa, as we mentioned earlier, you may be able to engage in self-employment activities like selling on Amazon if you obtain authorization from the USCIS.
If you are in the United States on a B1/B2 tourist visa, visa waiver program (VWP), you are generally not permitted to engage in any business activities, including selling on Amazon.
For a H1B work visa holder, you are not allowed to engage in any other business activity other than working for the organization that is holding your visa and for the specific role in the approved petition.
If you are in the United States on an E2 investor visa, you may be authorized to engage in business activities, including selling on Amazon, as long as the activity is related to your employment or investment.
Can Foreigners Sell On Amazon?
Yes, a foreigner can sell on Amazon.com, selling on the Amazon marketplace is not limited to only United States citizens, the platform is open to citizens from other countries either currently located in the U.S. or overseas.
To sell on Amazon as a foreigner, you need to have a bank account in a country where Amazon has a marketplace. You also need to have a valid tax identification number or an international equivalent. You may be required to provide additional documentation, such as a government-issued ID or a passport, to verify your identity and address.
Amazon may require you to provide a valid credit card or debit card as a backup payment method. This is to ensure that you can cover any fees or charges associated with selling on Amazon.
You should also note that selling on Amazon may be subject to various regulations and laws, this largely depends on the country you are selling from and the country you are selling to
Can H1B Sell On eBay
No, you can not sell on eBay with H1B, this is because H1B visa holders are only authorized to work in the United States for their sponsoring employer and are only allowed to engage in secondary employment or self-employment if they receive approval from the USCIS. This typically requires the H1B visa holder’s employer to file a petition on their behalf.
Unless an H1B visa holder has received specific approval from the USCIS to engage in secondary employment or self-employment, they should not engage in selling on eBay or any other activity that generates income outside of their primary employment
Can H1B Sell On Etsy
H1B visa holders can not engage in business activities like selling on Etsy, anyone on H1B visa status are generally not allowed to engage in any unauthorized secondary employment or self-employment unless it is authorized by their employer and approved by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This includes selling on Etsy, which could be considered self-employment.
If an H1B visa holder wishes to engage in selling on Etsy, they would need to obtain approval from the USCIS through the appropriate channels. This typically requires their employer to file a petition on their behalf and obtain approval before the individual can engage in the secondary employment or self-employment activity.
Engaging in unauthorized secondary employment or self-employment while on an H1B visa can result in serious consequences, this include visa revocation, deportation, and other legal penalties. As a H1B visa holder, you should consult with an immigration attorney or employer to determine whether yoou are eligible to engage in selling on Etsy and to obtain any necessary approvals before doing so.
Does Amazon Sponsor H1B?
Yes, Amazon does sponsor H1B visas for eligible candidates who are selected for their job openings. As one of the largest and most prominent tech companies in the United States, Amazon hires many skilled workers, including software engineers, data scientists, and product managers, who may require H1B visa sponsorship to work in the US.
To obtain an H1B visa, the employer must submit a petition to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on behalf of the employee. The petition must include various documents, including a Labor Condition Application (LCA), which certifies that the employer will pay the employee the prevailing wage and provide working conditions that are comparable to those of US workers in similar positions.
Like other employers, Amazon must comply with the H1B visa program’s rules and regulations, and they must demonstrate that the H1B visa candidate they sponsor is qualified for the job and that there is no US worker who is available or willing to fill the position.
Amazon is known to sponsor H1B visas for eligible candidates who meet their hiring criteria and job requirements. However, it is important to note that obtaining an H1B visa can be a highly competitive and complex process, and it is best to consult with an immigration attorney or an expert in the field to determine the specific requirements and procedures.
What Other Job Can A H1B Holder Do?
As a H1B visa holder, you may be allowed to work as a volunteer for positions which are typically unpaid positions like charitable and non-profits organization. You may also be allowed to invest money in market without being a day trader. You can rent your room, apartment, car, or any other property without running it as a business which requires dedicated time.
Can I Be An Amazon Seller While On H1B?
No, you can not be an Amazon seller while on H1B, this is because the U.S. government doesn’t permit people with H1B visas to engage in any other business including their own businesses except working for the company that holds their visa.
Can I Sell Stuff On H1B?
You can not sell stuff while on H1B visa, you are not allowed to engage in any business activity except working for the approved employer and in the approved position.