Can international student-athletes earn NIL money in the US? What the official guidance says

Since US college athletes were allowed to earn money from their name, image and likeness (NIL), endorsement deals, sponsored posts and autograph signings have become part of college sport. For American athletes, the question is how much they can earn. For international athletes, the question is whether they can earn anything at all without risking their visa.

The honest answer is that the rules are unclear, and caution is the official advice. Here is what US government and university sources say, checked on October 31, 2026.

The short answer

• Most international athletes study on an F-1 student visa, which strictly limits work.
• The US government has not issued new guidance on NIL for F-1 students.
• University compliance offices generally treat NIL activity carried out inside the US as not allowed under F-1 rules, with some saying activity done abroad is different.
• Talk to your university’s international student office before signing anything.

What the F-1 visa allows

Study in the States, the US government’s site for international students, says that if you work on campus, you may not work more than 20 hours a week while school is in session (Study in the States). Off-campus work needs specific authorisation.

Playing sport itself is not the problem. Study in the States has said that “playing a non-professional sport is not a form of employment”, and that students receiving stipends or scholarships should speak first with their designated school official (Study in the States). Athletic scholarships are therefore not the issue; payment for NIL activity is.

What the US government has said about NIL

Very little. In spring 2024, when asked whether F-1 athletes earning NIL money are working, the US Department of State said it remained in contact with the relevant agencies and that “any changes to visa requirements or permissible activities will be communicated through all appropriate channels” (State Department). No such guidance has followed in the sources we found.

The University of Oregon’s general counsel quotes a July 2021 message from the Department of Homeland Security saying it continued “to assess the issue” of international student-athletes receiving compensation (University of Oregon).

What universities tell their international athletes

University compliance and international offices give consistent advice:

• University of Oregon: active NIL work in the US, such as autographs or sponsored posts, is treated as prohibited, while activity done abroad is not subject to US immigration restrictions. Breaking the rules can risk termination of your status.
• University of Florida: student-athletes “must not enter into any NIL agreements without the guidance” of its international office, and “it is rare that an NIL activity will qualify for authorization”. Athletes abroad may receive compensation for services from a foreign country (University of Florida).
• Ohio University: “Only an immigration attorney can declare an NIL activity as permissible and/or impermissible”, and any active operation or promotion in the US “may be taken as operation of a business” (Ohio University).

Practical advice

1. Do not sign an NIL deal before speaking to your international student office, and ideally an immigration lawyer.
2. Ask about activity abroad. Several universities say work done outside the US is treated differently, but get advice for your own case.
3. Remember what is at stake. Your F-1 status allows you to study and compete. Losing it could end your season and your degree.
4. Watch for changes. NIL rules for college sport have changed quickly, and immigration guidance could follow.

Frequently asked questions

Does an athletic scholarship count as work?

No. Scholarships are financial aid, and Study in the States says playing a non-professional sport is not employment. Speak to your designated school official if you receive any stipend.

Can I earn NIL money while at home during the holidays?

Some universities say activity done abroad is not subject to US immigration restrictions, but the details matter, such as where the company is and where the content is promoted. Get advice before you sign.

Next steps

Read how the system works in sports scholarships in the USA for international students, and browse all sports listings under the Sports tag.