Can You Freelance as an International Student?

During their studies or upon graduating, international students are allowed one year (or two if you’re a STEM major) of work authorization, known as optional practical training or OPT. However, the work that counts towards OPT often gets lost in translation among applicants for this visa extension. More specifically, could an international student freelance without jeopardizing their visa status?
The short answer is it depends. As a student on an F-1 visa, you cannot partake in freelancing without additional work authorization, whether OPT or the internship version of OPT, CPT (curricular practical training.) While you could use your allotted OPT slot for freelancing during your studies starting sophomore year, saving your OPT after graduation is encouraged because you are only allowed one OPT per academic degree, whether pre-completion or post-completion OPT. If you are a first-year student, you can only apply for work authorization after studying in the United States for a year.
However, you can freelance under OPT if you have the resources and requirements. You could even freelance for multiple companies within your allowed weekly hours. You should be good to go as long as your job is within your field of study.
Good news! If you graduate this Spring semester, you are within the 90-day gap to apply for post-completion OPT! Check out this article by the Center for International Students and Scholars (CISS) to learn more about how to apply.