Can an immigrant holding a H-1B visa legally start their own home-based business.?

INS rules/regs have been researched and it does not address the question. Starting a home-based business when in country for a specific job, i.e. nurse; teacher, etc.
Anyone know for sure?

First thing to clarify is that a person with H-1B visa is not an immigrant because H-1B is a non-immigrant visa. You can stay in the US as long as you have the job for which you got your H-1B. Since, H-1B is issued for a specific employer you cannot go doing your ownn business.

I think you need to have enough funds( around $100,000).you can call their hotline and check it out.

I am sure the answer is no

If it not restricted you go and run any legal institution. But be very aware of US laws: try to obey ALL rules.

It is considered a second job; I doubt it would be legal.

http://www.ins.usdoj.gov/graphics/howdoi...

"Who can an H-1B alien work for?

"H-1B aliens may only work for the petitioning U.S. employer and only in the H-1B activities described in the petition. The petitioning U.S. employer may place the H-1B worker on the worksite of another employer if all applicable
rules (e.g., Department of Labor rules) are followed. H-1B aliens may work for more than one U.S. employer, but must have a Form I-129 petition approved by each employer."

The H1B Visa does not entitle you to be self-employed in addition to the work you do for the sponsoring company, since your self-employment is not a second employer who has filed a Form I-129.

INS will generally not grant a petition for self-employed
people, sez:
http://immihelp.com/visas/h1b/

yes. check with immigration offices.