Working online as a tier 4 student?

[Aziz0201]

Hello,

I am an online English teacher working for a US based company, teaching F1 visa students. I only work 16 hours per work. However, I don’t know if this is considered as a freelance work or if it is breaching visa rules.

Thank you

[sah10406]

I am not really clear how someone cannot know whether they are working for an employer or if they are self-employed.

You say you are "working for a [...] company" which suggests they are your employer, that you are on the payroll, etc. In that case a Student visa allows you to do that work, within your weekly limit during term-time.

If you are a contractor invoicing for your time, not an employee, then you are self-employed and your visa does not allow you to do that work.

Working online and/or working for a non-UK employer is not the issue. It is whether it is employment or self-employment.