Can I receive payment from an individual in the U.S. on an O-1 visa?

The O-1 visa authorizes work only for the employer or agents listed in the petition that supported the application. That means all compensated activity must be tied to what was approved for you.

When it comes to receiving payment from an individual, the context of the payment is what matters:

• If the amount corresponds to a service or project within the authorized activity, with that person acting as a contractor linked to the approved employer or agent, the compensation tends to fall within the visa’s limits.
• If the payment comes from an activity that was not approved or falls outside the designated role, it may constitute unauthorized employment and violate the conditions of your stay.

Because immigration rules are detailed and every case has its own specifics, the best practice is to align all compensation with what has been authorized and keep clear records of contractual relationships.

If you have doubts about a specific arrangement, consult the official USCIS guidelines or an immigration professional before accepting the payment, in order to keep your status in order.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.