Permitted business visitor activities
A business visit may include qualifying meetings, negotiations or other permitted business activities. It is not a general authorization to take employment or perform productive work in the United States. The description of the trip should be precise enough to distinguish the intended activity from work requiring another classification.
Being paid abroad does not, by itself, make any activity permissible as a visitor. Contract terms, the location of the work and the purpose of the trip need to be considered together.
Visa requirements and admission
Nationality and other conditions affect whether a visitor visa, a visa-exempt procedure or the Visa Waiver Program may be relevant. Admission remains a separate decision. The authorized stay is not determined simply by the expiry date printed on a visa.
Documents and explanation of the visit
Our practice can help review a proposed visit and identify where a work classification or further documentation may be needed. Start with an itinerary, invitation and accurate description of the planned activities. Do not rely on a maximum theoretical period of admission as the stay you will necessarily receive.
If the activities change while the trip is being planned, reassess the immigration implications before travelling or beginning the new work.
PREPARING FOR A CONSULTATION
Information to prepare
A brief summary is sufficient for an initial inquiry. Detailed or sensitive records should be provided through the appropriate consultation process.
- Itinerary and purpose of each activity
- Business invitation or meeting details
- Employment and payment arrangements
- Nationality and previous U.S. travel records
Common questions
Can I work in the United States if my pay comes from abroad?
Foreign payment alone does not establish that the proposed activity is permitted as a visitor.
Does my visa expiry date tell me how long I can stay?
No. Check the admission record and the rules applicable to the stay.
Official sources and further reading
- Visitor visas — U.S. Department of State (opens an official external source) ↗
- Visa validity and authorized stay — U.S. Department of State (opens an official external source) ↗
Requirements can change. Check the current official instructions and obtain advice about your circumstances.
General information only; it does not replace advice about an individual case.