Yes, is the simple answer to that question. Apparently, this is a common question that H1B visa holders ask, and you have every right to ask it as you would not want to jeopardise your visa status. However, we would like to give you extra reassurances, so as you will feel totally confident and comfortable to trade.

Stock trading is basically either buying or selling any stocks or otherwise known as shares that are listed on a stock exchange such as Bank of America, General Electric, AbbVie, Nokia, Coca-Cola and Oracle which also so happen to be in the top 20 of the most active stocks in the US.

So, once you’ve had a chat with your friends at the bar, Googled all your favourite stocks or ones that will make you some money and ran it past your dad, you are now ready to trade. However, before you can do that you need to register with an online stock broker and there are quite a few out there.

You are required to create an account with a stockbroker and here are a few renowned ones such as Ameritrade, ETrade, Charles Schwab, TradeKing, and OptionsHouse. Like most sign-ups on the internet today, it’s straight-forward and easy. You will need your Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), employers name and address, the application process is merely a few minutes. The personal account must be in your name as you are not allowed to trade on behalf of another person.

Stock Trading is Liable for US Taxes

As a H1B visa holder, you are also liable to pay taxes on any income gained from trading stocks. Please chat to your accountant or a tax consultant, when filing taxes for stock trading as it can be complicated and you simply cannot afford to jeopardise your visa status in the US and do not even think of messing with the IRS.

You are required to declare your stock trading earnings, so do make an appointment with a tax expert to verify and he or she is ultimately responsible for providing the advice.

Day Trading as Investment for H1B.

Firstly, you were offered a H1B Visa as a sponsorship by an employer in the US, therefore this means that you cannot do stock day trading as a full-time job as you already have one! So, you may by all means do day trading now and again as long as it never distracts you from your primary job and you treat it as an investment. Also, you must not be paid to do stock trading as this qualifies as a breach to your primary job.

Trivia on Stock Trading

• The first stock ticker appeared in 1867
• Lion Country Safari stock symbol is GRRR
• Meta Financial Group is lucky with its stock symbol, CASH
• The highest priced share on NYSE is Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway, at $170,000 per share
• Share trading may have begun as early as 9000 BC to 8000 BC, with time tokens made out of clay