You can trade options or futures for a prop firm on F-1 only when that actual work qualifies under your specific CPT or OPT authorization; having a prop account or F-1 status alone is not enough.
“Can I do options day trading or futures trading on a prop firm account while I am on an F1 visa with CPT/OPT status?”
Summary
There are possible routes, but a prop account is not a shortcut around F-1 work rules. The key is to match the firm’s actual arrangement and your trading duties to the authorization you have **before** you trade for it.
Your answer depends on which work authorization you actually hold and whether the prop-firm activity meets that authorization’s training rules.
You can use only if this is a real, degree-related placement integral to your school’s curriculum, with the prop firm as the approved sponsoring employer. Your must authorize **that firm, location, and dates** on your Form I-20 before you begin; CPT for a different employer is not enough. [8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(i)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-8/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-214/subpart-A/section-214.2); [ICE CPT guidance](https://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/CurricularPracticalTraining.pdf).
On ordinary , genuine paid employment, contract-based work, or a properly documented self-employed business can qualify **if the actual duties directly relate to your major**. You need your approved and must wait for its start date; pre-completion work is capped at 20 hours weekly while classes are in session, while post-completion work must be at least 20 hours weekly to count. A prop-firm agreement alone does not establish the degree connection. [8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(ii)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-8/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-214/subpart-A/section-214.2); [ICE SEVP Policy Guidance 1004-03](https://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/opt_policy_guidance_042010.pdf); [USCIS OPT guidance](https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/students-and-exchange-visitors/optional-practical-training-opt-for-f-1-students).
If your authorization is , the prop firm must itself qualify as a real E-Verify employer, provide and supervise degree-related training for at least 20 hours weekly, and complete its parts of . An entrepreneurial venture is possible, but you cannot act as your own employer on that form; a standalone self-directed funded-account arrangement does not establish these requirements. [8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(ii)(C)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-8/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-214/subpart-A/section-214.2); [DHS Form I-983 guidance](https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/stem-opt-hub/for-employers/employers-and-the-form-i-983); [USCIS Policy Manual](https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-2-part-f-chapter-5).
Your F-1 status, an existing CPT authorization for another employer, or access to a prop account does **not** independently authorize work for that firm. CPT must name the placement; OPT must be authorized and directly related to your major. [8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-8/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-214/subpart-A/section-214.2); [ICE CPT guidance](https://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/CurricularPracticalTraining.pdf).
Calling an account “funded,” “simulated,” or a “profit split” does not replace the work-authorization and degree-relationship tests. [ICE SEVP Policy Guidance 1004-03](https://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/opt_policy_guidance_042010.pdf); [8 CFR 214.2(f)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-8/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-214/subpart-A/section-214.2).
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Watch out for
Next steps
Use these steps to establish whether this prop-firm activity is covered before you perform it.
Before placing firm trades
Put the firm arrangement and your degree connection in writing
Document whether you are providing trading services to the firm, the actual duties, and how those duties connect to your major. ICE says the degree test is a logical connection between job duties and the major, assessed case by case; an account label or a finance-related degree by itself does not supply that explanation. [SEVP direct-relationship guidance](https://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/optDirectlyRelatedGuidance.pdf).
Requirements
CPT branch — before the start date
If using CPT, obtain a new firm-specific Form I-20
Have your school’s authorize this degree-related curricular placement and issue the endorsed Form I-20 naming the prop firm, location, and dates. Do not begin before its CPT start date; the DSO cannot backdate authorization, and CPT for another employer does not transfer. [8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(i)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-8/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-214/subpart-A/section-214.2); [ICE CPT guidance](https://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/CurricularPracticalTraining.pdf).
Requirements
Regular OPT branch — before working
If using regular OPT, secure or confirm your EAD
If you already have an approved , do not start firm work before its authorized start date, and retain the degree-related job explanation. If you still need initial post-completion OPT, obtain your DSO’s recommendation and file Form I-765 with USCIS at https://www.uscis.gov/i-765 within 30 days of that recommendation, no earlier than 90 days before and no later than 60 days after completing the degree; the general fee effective October 1, 2026 is $470 online or $520 on paper. Wait for approval and your EAD before starting. [USCIS OPT guidance](https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/students-and-exchange-visitors/optional-practical-training-opt-for-f-1-students); [Form G-1055](https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/g-1055.pdf).
Requirements
STEM OPT branch — before treating it as qualifying work
If on STEM OPT, obtain a genuine employer training plan
The prop firm must actually employ and supervise you, participate in E-Verify, and complete its portions of with a training plan. You cannot act as your own employer on the form; the qualifying training must be at least 20 hours a week. [DHS Form I-983 guidance](https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/stem-opt-hub/for-employers/employers-and-the-form-i-983); [USCIS Policy Manual](https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-2-part-f-chapter-5); [8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(ii)(C)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-8/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-214/subpart-A/section-214.2).
Requirements
After starting authorized work
Report OPT employment changes and keep your records
On OPT, report a change of employer name or address, or loss of employment, to your DSO within 10 days. Retain your contract, degree-related duties explanation, and hours: post-completion OPT has a 90-day aggregate unemployment limit, or 150 days across regular OPT and a 24-month STEM extension. [8 CFR 214.2(f)(12)(ii)(A) and (f)(10)(ii)(E)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-8/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-214/subpart-A/section-214.2).
Requirements
Legal sources
This answer draws on the F-1 regulations, USCIS’s practical-training guidance, DHS/ICE student guidance, the USCIS fee schedule, and an IRS tax distinction.
8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(i)
CPT must be an actual curricular placement, not simply a trading account.
(f)(10)(i)
An F-1 student may be authorized by the DSO to participate in a curricular practical training program that is an integral part of an established curriculum.
8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(i)
The DSO authorizes CPT in the student’s record only for training related to the major.
(f)(10)(i)
To grant authorization for a student to engage in curricular practical training, a DSO will update the student's record in SEVIS as being authorized for curricular practical training that is directly related to the student's major area of study.
8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(i)
CPT authorization identifies the employer, place, and authorized period.
(f)(10)(i)
The DSO will indicate whether the training is full-time or part-time, the employer and location, and the employment start and end date.
ICE Curricular Practical Training guidance
A prior CPT approval cannot simply be carried over to a prop firm.
However, a separate CPT authorization is needed for each employer and each CPT segment.
ICE Curricular Practical Training guidance
Extensive full-time CPT can remove OPT eligibility at the same educational level.
One year or more of full-time CPT eliminates students’ OPT eligibility at the same educational level.
USCIS Optional Practical Training (OPT) for F-1 Students
OPT is permission for degree-related employment, not permission for any side activity.
Optional practical training (OPT) is temporary employment that is directly related to an F-1 student’s major area of study.
8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(ii)(A)
Having an OPT recommendation is not permission to start before the EAD date.
(f)(10)(ii)(A)
The student may not begin optional practical training until the date indicated on his or her employment authorization document, Form I-766.
SEVP Policy Guidance 1004-03
Ordinary OPT guidance explicitly recognizes contract-based services as a kind of work.
7.2.1, page 18
This is also commonly referred to as 1099 employment, where an individual performs a service based on a contractual relationship rather than an employment relationship.
SEVP Policy Guidance 1004-03
Regular OPT can include properly documented, degree-related self-employment.
7.2.1, page 18
A student on OPT may start a business and be self-employed. The student must be able to prove that he or she has the proper business licenses and is actively engaged in a business related to the student’s degree program.
SEVP Policy Guidance: Determining a Direct Relationship
The test is what the student actually does and how those duties connect to the major.
The inquiry is whether there is a logical connection between the duties involved in the practical training opportunity and the student's major area of study.
USCIS Optional Practical Training (OPT) for F-1 Students
Pre-completion OPT has a school-session weekly hours cap.
Pre-completion OPT
If you are authorized to participate in pre-completion OPT, you may work (20 hours or less per week) while school is in session.
USCIS Optional Practical Training (OPT) for F-1 Students
Post-completion OPT work must reach the stated weekly threshold.
Post-completion OPT
If you are authorized for post-completion OPT, you must work part time (at least 20 hours per week) or full time.
DHS International Students and Entrepreneurship
Owning and actively running a business is work requiring the proper F-1 authorization.
Because starting your own business constitutes work, while in F-1 status a student must qualify and apply for optional practical training (OPT) if they plan to do so.
DHS Employers and the Form I-983
STEM OPT permits entrepreneurial ventures but not a student acting as their own I-983 employer.
STEM OPT students may participate in entrepreneurial ventures. However, they may not fill out their own Form I-983, Sections 3 to 6, nor act as their own employer for the purposes of the form.
USCIS Policy Manual Vol. 2 Pt. F Ch. 5
A STEM OPT prop-firm arrangement must involve a genuine employing and training entity.
C. STEM OPT Extension
To employ a STEM OPT F-1 student, an employer must have and maintain a bona fide employer-employee relationship with the student.
8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(ii)(C)(5)
The STEM OPT employer must participate in E-Verify.
(f)(10)(ii)(C)(5)
The student's employer is enrolled in E-Verify, as evidenced by either a valid E-Verify Company Identification number or, if the employer is using an employer agent to create its E-Verify cases, a valid E-Verify Client Company Identification number, and the employer remains a participant in good standing with E-Verify, as determined by USCIS.
DHS Employers and the Form I-983
A qualifying STEM OPT training job requires at least 20 weekly hours.
Section 3: Employer Information
Please note, in order to qualify for STEM OPT, the student must work a minimum of 20 hours per week.
8 CFR 214.2(f)(12)(ii)(A)
OPT students must promptly report the listed employment changes to the DSO.
(f)(12)(ii)(A)
Within 10 days of the change, the student must report to the student's DSO a change of legal name, residential or mailing address, employer name, employer address, and/or loss of employment.
8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(ii)(E)
Ordinary post-completion OPT has a 90-day aggregate unemployment limit.
(f)(10)(ii)(E)
Students may not accrue an aggregate of more than 90 days of unemployment during any post-completion OPT period described in 8 CFR 274a.12(c)(3)(i)(B).
8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(ii)(E)
The aggregate limit rises to 150 days across regular OPT and the STEM extension.
(f)(10)(ii)(E)
Students granted a 24-month OPT extension under paragraph (f)(10)(ii)(C)(2) of this section may not accrue an aggregate of more than 150 days of unemployment during a total OPT period, including any post-completion OPT period described in 8 CFR 274a.12(c)(3)(i)(B) and any subsequent 24-month extension period.
Form G-1055 Fee Schedule
The October 2026 general I-765 schedule sets the online and paper filing amounts.
Appendix C, I-765 general filing
Paper Filing: $520 Online Filing: $470
SEVP Policy Guidance 1004-03
The older self-employment statement expressly addressed a 17-month extension, not today’s 24-month STEM framework.
7.2.2, page 19
A student on a 17-month extension can start a business and be self-employed.
IRS Topic 429
The IRS describes personal investing for tax purposes; it does not issue F-1 work permission.
Investors
They buy and sell these securities and hold them for personal investment; they're not conducting a trade or business.
These are the official rules as published on the cited dates; rules can change.
This is general information about official processes, not legal advice, and SettleKit is not a law firm.
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