Many foreign-born students who pursue educational opportunities in the United States do so out of a desire to improve every facet of their lives, including long-term financial goals. As enthusiastically as many F-1 students would like to invest in the stock market, many hesitate, unsure of whether they're allowed to buy or sell stocks with their current visa.

Berd & Klauss, PLLC, NYC immigration attorneys with years of experience serving clients from across the globe, are pleased to report documented people, including students on an F-1 visa, are permitted to invest freely in the American stock market. In fact, the only dangerous aspect of investment activities is the time and energy it requires, which can negatively impact your academic pursuits, especially if you find your stock portfolio growing. If your investment activities cause your performance to fall below acceptable levels, you may lose your visa and be sent home as a secondary consequence of your investment activities.

One stumbling block to F-1 students who wish to begin investing is the Social Security Number, which is required by almost all brokerage houses. If you're employed on campus as part of your financial aid package, you may already have an SSN. If not, talk to a skilled immigration attorney who may be able to help you obtain an ITIN, which some investment brokers will accept instead of the Social Security Number.

With their deep understanding of the immigration law and constantly updated knowledge base, the immigration attorneys at Berd & Klauss, PLLC are committed to providing the most effective service possible to all of their clients. Visit their website to see a full list of immigration law services, or call (212) 461-7152 to schedule a consultation today.