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Translation - art & business » Business issues »
Work as translator in the USA
Thread poster: Isadora Silva
Isadora Silva
Isadora Silva
United States
Local time: 15:20
English to Portuguese
Jun 4, 2019

Working as part time translator if you are not a citizen in the USA or has not a work visa could be a problem with the immigration?
 
Kevin Fulton
Kevin Fulton  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 18:20
German to English
Could be a problem Jun 4, 2019

This is not legal advice, but a reflection of my own experience working in the United States.

If you attempt to work for a US-based client, you will be asked for your Social Security number and will be asked to provide a W9 form. Opening a bank account in the US might also be problematical.

It might be possible to work for foreign clients who pay into a foreign bank account, but accessing those funds could be difficult.

Luximar Arenas Petty
Liviu-Lee Roth
 
Sheila Wilson
Sheila Wilson  Identity Verified
Spain
Local time: 23:20
Member (2007)
English
+ ...
But tax would be due Jun 4, 2019

Kevin Fulton wrote:
It might be possible to work for foreign clients who pay into a foreign bank account, but accessing those funds could be difficult.

Income tax would be due on that income, but declaring it would bring the tax authorities directly to you and to the fact that you're working illegally. The alternative is to risk being found to have evaded tax as well as working illegally. Computer systems are all-seeing nowadays, so I'd advise you to find out how to make things legal. You aren't likely to be seen as stealing work from US citizens, which is what countries aim to prevent.
 
Anja DeLuca
Anja DeLuca
United States
Local time: 18:20
English to German
+ ...
It is a problem Jun 4, 2019

Hi -

if you do not have a relevant work visa or are a resident in the United States you are not allowed to take on paid work. Depending on what your status is (Tourist or similar) you can only get paid cash without paperwork, which is - of course - illegal.

Bottom line is: without a work visa or permit and a social security number you cannot legally work as a translator.
 
Liviu-Lee Roth
Liviu-Lee Roth
United States
Local time: 18:20
Romanian to English
+ ...
I tend to disagree with this statement (the way it is written) Jun 5, 2019

Anja DeLuca wrote:

Hi -

if you do not have a relevant work visa or are a resident in the United States you are not allowed to take on paid work. Depending on what your status is (Tourist or similar) you can only get paid cash without paperwork, which is - of course - illegal.

Bottom line is: without a work visa or permit and a social security number you cannot legally work as a translator.



Kevin pointed out that you can work for foreign clients and receive payment in your foreign bank. You cannot work for a US based client and receive money here. (actually, you can, but it is illegal).

Jessica Noyes
IrinaN
 


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Work as translator in the USA


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