H2B Visa Holder

[Scott Deetlefs]

Good day BiggerPockets community, very excited and happy to be apart of this incredible community. 

I hope someone is able to answer my question, or at least provide some advice. 

I am currently on an H2B non-immigrant work visa in the hospitality sector and am legally not allowed to have another job other than what is stated on my visa/petition. 

Does anyone know if I am able to start an LLC and run short term rentals? Or is there another way I can begin my real estate investing journey?

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Ty Coutts]

Hello, Scott Deetlefs, here's what I would pay attention to:

Legal Considerations:

Passive vs. Active Income: Generally, passive income from real estate investments, like rental income, is allowed even if you are on an H2B visa. Active management, however, can be seen as employment, which you might not be permitted to do.

Forming an LLC: Forming an LLC itself is not typically considered employment. However, managing the LLC actively could be problematic. Passive ownership might be acceptable.

Hiring a Property Manager: To stay compliant, consider hiring a property management company to handle the day-to-day operations of the short-term rentals. This way, you can remain a passive investor.

While starting an LLC and running short-term rentals can be feasible, it's crucial to structure your involvement as a passive investor to stay within legal bounds. Consulting with an immigration attorney is essential to navigate this process correctly.

There are plenty of alternative ways to start investing that take very little work. If you are interested or just curious, shoot me a message and I'd love to chat over the phone. I hope this finds you well!