Legal Question in Immigration Law in California

Re: establihing an Internet business

DISCLAIMER - BELOW RESPONSE IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS LEGAL ADVICE BUT IS MERELY AN OPINION GIVEN WITHOUT THOROUGH RESEARCH OF THE LEGAL ISSUES INVOLVED.

The answer to your first question in my opinion is yes. Your status as a F1 student/visitor limits your ability to be employed in the US without a work permit. It is generally understood that you cannot be "employed" by any US based employer and take jobs away from Americans. This is not the case here. Technically, you can set up your internet-based business anywhere in the world as it is NOT located in any specific geographic location, but it is in the cyberspace. Please read your I-94 back and front carefully and review your other documents relating to your stay in the US.

If you would like, you may write a letter to INS with your identifying data and inform them of your cyberspace-based company. The ball will be in their court.

Your second question, yes you do need a well thought out and crafted privacy policy as well as terms and agreements. These tools are necessary in order to run your business properly, reduce liability, and enhance confidence by your potential customers and business partners.

Good luck.