Will working for a startup on my initial OPT stop my unemployment clock if I am getting paid only in equity (4-year vest 1-year cliff)

[aayush goyal]

My Initial OPT has started and I don't have a job yet. 

I will be searching for a fulltime job side by side. This job will only be for 20hrs/week or part-time, as you may say. The only problem is my OPT has started, and because I don’t have a fulltime job yet, I am accruing unemployment days. If I don't find a fulltime within 90 days, I have to go back to my country.

So again, "will this part-time job stop my unemployment clock?

[newacct]

As long as it's at least 20 hours a week, and the job is in your field of study, it counts as being employed for OPT. You do not have to be paid -- unpaid work counts too. See this OPT guidance, item 7.2.1 (p. 17-18).

Edited December 20, 2019 by newacct