[Precious7]

Hello,

My friend lives in CA, and she is student not a resident. She is very creative and I saw this hand made crafts at her place, she upcycle stuffs and made bags and small purses, and many more things. So I told her that she can sell it on etsy. I told her she should do it but I don't know whether she can or not bcos she is student. So is it possible for her to sell her stuffs on etsy or any other way to earn through her beautiful handmade crafts?

[ma0641]

Anyone registered on ETSY can sell.

[joypulv]

She just has to be 18 and have an acceptable payment method.
You and she can look at the site to see the rules.
Selling online is not easy, so you need to do all this without our help.
Otherwise you won't be able to handle it, and she will lose money.

[Precious7]

@joy why its not easy?

[Cat1864]

Precious, are you asking about how immigration(?), visas, financial aid, etc. affect her ability to sell on etsy/or any other site?

This sounds like it may be more complicated than it at first glance seems. If she is in California on a student visa or any other program that limits/curtails making money, this thread might be better suited for a different board.

What are her circumstances so we can give accurate advice?

[Precious7]

@ Cat you are right! She is not resident.
She is in student Visa. So whether she is eligible to sell her crafts online or not?

[Fr_Chuck]

Legally people on student visas can not "work" with that said, many do with the help of a friend, who does it under their name, or others merely just do it.

[Cat1864]

The thread is now in Immigration Law so you can get advice on the legal aspects of her selling on Etsy.

[AK lawyer]

Legally people on student visas can not "work" ....

The question is whether selling stuff online is "work". I don't think it is, but I am not an immigration specialist.

[joypulv]

Let's say she figures out the legal status.
What's hard about selling online is knowing how to list, deal with customers, and most of all, package and ship. It takes weeks full time to learn all the pitfalls of shipping.
And she has to have an accepted online payment method. I would check on her ability to do that before anything else. Without it, she can't sell.

[Precious7]

I see, I think she would be okay with learning all the things about selling online. If she is clear about whether she can sell or not. So, I think as chuck mentioned, I think she can't bcos she is selling I to CA people and getting paid from them. It's a business at the end. So, she cant open business if she is student, for that she need special permission from the Government I guess.
Thanks for your input.

[joypulv]

Small sellers on ebay and etsy are ignored by the gov't.
Once you add up your time, materials, and fees, most people are making almost nothing or even losing money. It depends on how much you charge yourself for your own labor.

[NYcityboy]

If she is on an F-1 student visa, she does not have authorization to work.

Based on the description provided, a USCIS officer would likely say she is performing "compensable employment". If this is determined, it would be a violation of her nonimmigrant visa status. She should confirm this with the school DSO or consult with an experienced immigration attorney.

Good luck!

[Precious7]

@NYcityboy thanks for your reply. You are absolutely right that's what she told me. And as you know I suggested her that if she wants she can do it. But she said 'No' and she don't want break any law of the land.

Thanks all for your inputs.