h4 and business

[arts]

Hello,
I am on a H4 (after getting laid off a couple of years ago). I now paint (canvas) and make jewellery. My question is - can i start a business with a citizen as a partner, and sell my art and jewellery at art shows and such. I understand that I cannot make any profit, but after deducting the expenses for my raw materials, can i donate the rest of the money to a charity like ASPCA or something.What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

 

[ImmigAttyLana]

What kind of business would it be if you donated all the profits to a charity? YOu can start a business and the business entity can collect revenues but you just cannot get any of it, unless you would qualify for a work visa through that business and the business would petition you for a H-1B visa, for instance. The owner of the company does not have to be a US citizen but the job offered to you must be a specialty occupation that would require a bachelor's degree or its equivalent AND you must possess a degree of this level in a relevant field of study.

 

[arts]

H4 and charity

Thank you Lana. In response to your question - we are hoping to get our GC sometime this year. I wanted to get the ball rolling and get my work out there
(call it branding). I know I cant make money until the GC come through, which is why I was thinking of donating all the proceeds (minus my cost price).

It is like donating my time and art for a charity. Is there another way of doing this - for example can I start up a non-profit and after GC convert to a for-profit; or can I link my account directly to another non-profit?
Thanks again for being so active here and answering the queries.

 

[ImmigAttyLana]

If you are getting your GC this year, I'm not really clear on why you don't have a work permit as that would solve all your problems. Typically, if you apply for a green card, as part of that application you are eligible for an employment authorization document. If this is not the case then just set up a company and have it collect all the proceeds without disbursing the funds to you. NO need to donate the work and anyway, that would not really solve the problem of you working because it is not the type of activity generally associated with volunteer work (painting pictures). Also, when you volunteer, you do not get your expenses reimbursed so that would not work.