As an F-1 student with OPT work authorization (work permit), you can get your company up and running and be self-employed as long as you’re putting your degree to work. You must also work full-time and have all the proper business licenses for your company that your state requires. But you don’t have to wait until you get OPT to start setting up your company! Under immigration law, doing things like forming the legal entity for your company, pitching potential investors, or negotiating contracts are not considered work, so you are allowed to do them without OPT work authorization. That way, once you’re on OPT, you will have a full 12 months to focus on operating your startup.