Q: can my boyfriend sell products over our brand if I am having the YouTube channel and have an F1-Visa?
I have a YouTube channel on an F1-Visa. So I am not allowed to make money. My boyfriend would now like to sell digital and physical items over our brand, since I started the YouTube channel for both of us but I am the one in front of the camera since he doesn't feel comfortable in front of the camera yet. If he sells products over his name for our brand where I am the face on YouTube is this legal or a I doing something illegal if he wants to sell those things because I am part of the YouTube channel?
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A:
Navigating work restrictions on an F1 visa can be tricky, especially when it involves activities like managing a YouTube channel or selling products. On an F1 visa, you are generally not allowed to engage in employment or business activities that generate income unless you have proper authorization. Even if your boyfriend is the one selling products, if you are contributing to the business or brand in a way that could be seen as work or earning income, it might be considered a violation of your visa status.
Since your face and efforts are tied to the YouTube channel, and if your channel's content directly promotes or is connected to the products being sold, it could be interpreted that you are engaging in unauthorized work. Even if the sales are under his name, your involvement in creating content that drives sales could still be problematic from an immigration standpoint.
To avoid any potential issues, it's important to ensure that your activities fully comply with F1 visa regulations. Consider exploring options that might allow you to continue your channel and brand in a way that doesn't conflict with your visa status, or consult with an immigration lawyer to clarify what is permitted under the law.
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