White House Honors Immigrant Entrepreneurs
August 15, 2013
Each week, the White House’s Champions of Change program honors entrepreneurs, innovators and community activists for their vision and commitment to “out-innovate, out-educate and out-build the rest of the world; …to win the future.” Recently, the White House honored eleven immigrant entrepreneurs who started their own businesses in fields like transportation, community resilience, science and education.
Entrepreneurship is important to the U.S. economy, but it is important to know your restrictions as an F student before starting your own business. You may be eligible to start your own business, but you must follow Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rules and regulations to maintain your student status and understand optional practical training (OPT) requirements. Remember, your business must directly relate to your program of study.
After your program of study and OPT end, your F status ends and you have only one option to continue working for your business or another employer. You must submit a Form I-539, “Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status,” to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to receive a change of status that allows you to continue working in the United States.
USCIS launched the Entrepreneur in Residence initiative in 2011 as a part of larger White House and DHS efforts to grow the U.S. economy and create jobs. If you are an F student and are interested in being an entrepreneur, visit USCIS’s Entrepreneur Pathways website to learn more.
Many F students have decided to take the chance to follow this dream. As highlighted by Champions of Change, Riddhiman Das came to the United States “to pursue an American college education and studied Computer Science, Mathematics and Entrepreneurship.” While studying in the United States, he founded three businesses. After he graduated, he had to decide if he wanted to continue his studies or find an employer to sponsor him for H-1B status. He decided to stay in the United States to pursue another program of study so he could continue to “remain engaged in his businesses.”
For more information on DHS rules and regulations related to F students and entrepreneurship, visit our International Students and Entrepreneurship resource page and talk to your designated school official.