F1 Student Trade Stocks

May 17, 2019 8 Comments

Need thoughts on this.

Is it legal to trade stocks on the US stock market as an international student on F1 visa? How will this affect my status and also my future in case I’m changing my status after I complete my school.

F1 not allowed to work outside campus or participate in any income generating activity? Where do stocks fit in the income categorization.

I saved some money after 5 months internship and I want to spend about 3k on some stocks.
Help please.

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TOP 8 Comments
  • Should be fine. Folks on opt get stocks and trade them. Disclaimer: not legal advice. I am not eligible for that.
    May 17, 2019 0
  • New
    incognlto

    New

    incognlto
    Any alien can invest in US securities. Your status is US resident for tax purposes. You need to pay Fed and state taxes on gains. Capital gains or income, depending on holding time . The only thing you cannot do is claim tax loss against your income, because you are not suppose to have one. This means that you should favor established companies that are unlikely to go out of business or decline significantly. E.g. stay away from Tesla (to give an idea). However, you are allowed to offset investment gains against your investment losses, and given that loss against income is limited to 3k per year, you really have the same rights here as US citizens.
    May 17, 2019 1
    • New
      notTeslaa

      New

      PRE
      Tesla Motors
      notTeslaa
      If you're interning in Telsa for two terms, look stocks, lock and take the deal. Interns are eligible for ESP
      May 17, 2019
  • New
    1337speak

    New

    1337speak
    It's fine, but you need to be careful when submitting tax documents. Hire a professional accountant.
    May 17, 2019 0
  • Uber
    didify

    Go to company page Uber

    didify
    If I remember correctly as long as you don't do day trading you will be fine
    May 17, 2019 0
  • There are no visa restrictions to invest in stocks. Investing your internship money would be a wise decision. You can invest in stocks with apps like Stockpile, Robinhood etc. If you sell your stocks, make sure to pay taxes for those stocks accordingly.
    May 17, 2019 0