Contract work while on F-1 and H-1B visas after an international degree
You can sometimes work on contracts after graduation in the US. But what does it mean for your visa? Here’s what you need to know about F-1 OPT, the STEM extension, and the H-1B visa.
What is contract work?
Contract work means short-term jobs where you’re hired for a specific project or deliverable. Instead of one employer, you might have several contracts across different companies.
In the US, independent contractors are usually classified as “1099 workers” for tax purposes. Unlike permanent staff, they don’t get employee benefits like paid leave or health insurance, but they can choose their hours and projects.
Permanent, temporary, and contract work
Permanent work: You’re on payroll, with full benefits and long-term stability.
Temporary work: Often arranged through an agency, usually paid hourly, sometimes with limited benefits.
Contract work: You’re self-employed, hired for a defined project, and paid per contract. Benefits don’t apply, but you gain flexibility.
Pros of working on a contract
Exposure to varied industries and roles
The freedom to test out different employers
Rapid skill development through short projects
Flexibility to design your own schedule
A wider professional network was built quickly
Contract work under the F-1 visa
While studying
If you’re still in your degree, you cannot freelance or contract. Only campus-related work is allowed.
OPT (12 months)
Here’s where it changes. After graduation, the 12-month OPT extension lets you work without being tied to one employer. You can contract or freelance if all of these are true:
Work relates directly to your field of study
You don’t exceed 90 days of unemployment (counted from the date on your Employment Authorisation Document, weekends included)
You report every contract to your university and keep your I-20 form updated
You notify USCIS of changes, so your SEVIS record stays accurate
In practice: This is why many graduates prefer long-term roles. Constantly updating contracts and paperwork can be tedious.
STEM OPT (24 months)
The STEM extension is more restrictive. USCIS requires:
Employers to register with E-Verify
Employers to submit a Form I-983 training plan that shows:
How your work links to your STEM degree
That pay meets industry standards
Proof of supervision and training
Supervision rules matter here:
If you’re supervised by your employer (e.g. at their office), you’re compliant.
If you’re supervised by a client or customer, you’re not compliant.
USCIS checks that training and oversight come from your actual employer, not third parties.
This makes contract work on STEM OPT very difficult. You may work on client projects through your employer, but you cannot be contracted or supervised directly by those clients.
Independent contracting as an F-1 graduate
On OPT (but not before), you can be:
Self-employed (with a registered business)
An independent contractor
Placed by a consulting firm (if the firm is E-Verify registered for STEM OPT)
Employed by multiple companies (if all meet requirements)
A volunteer or unpaid worker (if it still meets OPT rules)
💡 Tip: Some graduates overlap contracts to avoid unemployment days.
H-1B visa and contract work
On an H-1B visa, you cannot work as an independent contractor. Like STEM OPT, the H-1B requires a verifiable employer-employee relationship, but the rules are even stricter.
Your sponsoring employer:
File your petition
Pays your wages
Provides direct oversight
Some consulting firms (e.g. McKinsey, BCG) can place employees at client sites, but you’re still a full-time employee of the consulting firm. That’s very different from freelancing.
You also cannot take side contracts, even for non-US clients, as USCIS considers it unauthorised work.
Key point: If your long-term goal is independent contracting, you’ll need to wait until you have a Green Card.
Read more: From H-1B to Green Card: your next steps
Key takeaways
F-1 OPT (12 months): Contracting allowed, but must be reported and tied to your study field.
F-1 STEM OPT (24 months): Contracting is highly restricted, as USCIS requires employer supervision, not client supervision.
H-1B visa: Independent contracting not permitted. You must work for your sponsor.
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