Where to Start
International students must understand and comply to all of the conditions below before partaking in any NIL activities on their F-1 visa.
Student-athletes must consult with an International Student and Scholar Services advisor to understand the implications of any NIL activity on their F-1 visa.
Student-athletes should also consult with an immigration attorney BEFORE undertaking any Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) activity. Only an immigration attorney can declare an NIL activity as permissible and/or impermissible. You can find an immigration attorney by using the immigration lawyer search on the American Immigration Lawyers Association website.
United States Laws and NIL
United States law requires that F-1 students come to the U.S. “solely for the purpose” of pursuing their course of study. This law limits the employment and income-generating opportunities available to international student-athletes at OHIO University while in the United States including NIL activities.
OHIO University student-athletes may be able to perform income-generating NIL activities in their home country. However, no further action or activity may be undergone in relation to the NIL income-generating opportunity once the student-athlete is in the United States. If an income-generating opportunity is set-up while the student-athlete is in their home country then no further action can be taken to manage or promote it while in the U.S. Any active operation, updating, or promotion in the U.S. may be taken as operation of a business.
Opportunities Outside the United States
An F-1 student-athlete may be able to sign autographs, make appearances, endorse products, provide lessons, etc. outside the United Statesprovided such activities are in compliance with applicable OHIO Athletics and NCAA rules and applicable federal and/or state law.
For all of these potential opportunities, please consult with an ISSS advisor and/or an immigration attorney before undergoing the activityto ensure you are in accordance with your F-1 status.
Review each activity to learn more about where you may be able to perform the activity.
Commercials or Product Endorsements
- Cannot be performed in the United States.
- May be able to perform in home country.
Personal Appearance at an Event
- Cannot be performed in the United States.
- May be able to perform in home country.
Private Lessons, Camps or Clinics
- Cannot be performed in the United States.
- May be able to perform in home country.
Signing Autographs
- Cannot be performed in the United States.
- May be able to perform in home country.
Commercials or Product Endorsements
- Cannot be performed in the United States.
- May be able to perform in home country.
Personal Appearance at an Event
- Cannot be performed in the United States.
- May be able to perform in home country.
Establishing own Business to Sell Products and/or Services
- Cannot be performed in the United States.
- May be able to perform in home country.
Selling of Team-Issued Apparel, Equipment, Awards or Other Items Issued by Ohio University or NCAA Once Eligibility is Exhausted
- Yes – as long as it is not done as a regular act of business.
- This may be done in the United States and home country.
Personal Crowdfunding Page to Raise Money for Charity
Yes – provided all compensation goes to the charity and the student-athlete is not benefitting in any way.
Allowing Third Parties To Sell Merchandise With Your Name, Existing Image, or Likeness in Exchange for a Royalty
- This may be permissible. No activity may be taken to promote the activity, business or product in any way. This could be considered as work in exchange for compensation and could be an F-1 violation.
- Students should work with potential third-party vendors to make sure that all requirements as well as any payments are detailed in a contract.
- All potential contracts should be reviewed by an immigration attorney to ensure all requirements and income are allowed under current visa type.