Can I help a company with out compensation while on H1-B with a diff company?

[tingtong9]

I am on H1-B for a company. Lately my friend who owns another software firm asked me to help him with some work.

 

Is it ok to help/work with out taking any compensation after work hours & weekends? 

 

[omshiv]

I believe you can do that...as long as you dont get paid from them.

[JoeF]

I am on H1-B for a company. Lately my friend who owns another software firm asked me to help him with some work.

 

Is it ok to help/work with out taking any compensation after work hours & weekends? 

No, that is NOT allowed.

On H1, you can ONLY work for your H1 employer.

You can NOT work anywhere else, not even for free.

[JoeF]

I believe you can do that...as long as you dont get paid from them.

Getting paid or not is irrelevant. It is work, and the OP can only work for his employer, not for anybody else.

[t75]

Absolutely not!!! If they want to employ you, the can file for a concurrent H1B and pay you according to LCA.

[omshiv]

Getting paid or not is irrelevant. It is work, and the OP can only work for his employer, not for anybody else.

 

Oh ok...Thanks for the clarification...I wasnt sure about that.

[tingtong9]

Interesting. Does it also mean that I can not contribute to open-source projects as Technically I would be contributing i.e. working for free?

[JoeF]

Interesting. Does it also mean that I can not contribute to open-source projects as Technically I would be contributing i.e. working for free?

That's different, because there is no company selling open source software.

Contributing to open source projects is fine.

Working for a for-profit company, even for free, is NOT allowed without the appropriate work authorization.

[tingtong9]

Thank you very much Joe.