This episode explain that F-1 student visa holders are strictly prohibited from unauthorized work in the U.S., including independent contractor or "gig economy" jobs like driving for Uber or DoorDash, regardless of whether they receive a W-2 or 1099 tax form. Engaging in unauthorized employment is a deportable offense that can lead to visa termination, bars on future re-entry, and jeopardizes eligibility for benefits like green cards. Legal off-campus employment options for F-1 students are limited to highly regulated programs: Curricular Practical Training (CPT), which is tied to the student's curriculum and a specific employer, and Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows temporary work directly related to the student's field of study, with self-employment allowed only u ...