Green card holders, refugees and asylees: any legal work, including gig jobs and your own business.

Anyone with an open work permit (EAD), such as many H-4, L-2 or J-2 spouses with a card, and people with a pending green card and EAD. Check the card dates.

L-2 and E spouses whose I-94 shows the work code (L2S, E1S, E2S, E3S).

H-1B, L-1, O-1, TN, E workers: you may work only for the employer (or the type of job) your visa is for. Uber driving, DoorDash, paid freelancing for other clients or a second job is generally not allowed. A second H-1B job is possible only with a separate petition from that employer.

F-1 and J-1 students: only on-campus work or authorized training (CPT, OPT, academic training). Gig apps and paid tutoring off campus are not allowed. See F-1 students: on-campus jobs and CPT.

F-2 and dependents without an EAD: no work at all.

Visitors (B-2, ESTA): no work.

Selling your own used things online is usually fine. Buying items to resell is a business.

Investing in stocks or owning a rental property is usually fine. Managing a business yourself is work.

Remote work for a company in your home country while you live in the US is a gray area. See H-4, F-2 and other dependents: what you can do without an EAD.

Starting an LLC (a type of company) does not by itself give you permission to work in it.

Unauthorized work can make you lose your status, and make future visas, extensions or a green card much harder.

Gig platforms report your income to the IRS. Tax records show work you did.

"It is only a few hours" or "cash only". The rule is about work, not hours or payment type.

Thinking an app account approval means you are allowed. The app does not check your visa conditions.