On what visa is it legal to work for a bed/food in the USA?
I would like to stay on a dude ranch in the USA for 3-4 weeks. A lot of the ranches offer bed/food for work, where you help take care of the ranch in exchange for a bed and a meal.
However it is unclear to me wether or not this is legal when travelling on a tourist visa (from the EU). I have read that other countries offer visas especially for this purpose, but couldn't find any info about a US visa that allows this.
Is this legal on a tourist visa or are there any other visas available that allow this?
Best Answer
Do not try this on a tourist visa, immigration will send you back if they find out.
This article (in German) describes a similar case: a 20 year old girl wanted to visit her relatives(!) in the US for a few months between school and university to improve her English skills. Prior to the trip, on facebook, she had told her relatives that during her stay, she would be able to fetch their kid and the kid of the neighbors from school and babysit them, on occasion. The immigration officer wondered why anyone would want to stay in Cleveland/Ohio for several months as a tourist, started questioning the girl, read her facebook journal, and decided to send her back because babysitting qualified as incompatible with the tourist visa. The article states that the facebook posts did not mention any monetary compensation.
Although the article is a bit sensational (poor little girlie treated rough by unfriendly and stubborn immigration officers), the main facts seem to be true, and if babysitting for your relatives and their neighbors qualifies as work, then working as a farmhand surely does.
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Can you work on a B1 B2 visa?
An individual on a visitor visa (B1/B2) is not permitted to accept employment or work in the United States. There is no guarantee you will be issued a visa. Do not make final travel plans or buy tickets until you have a visa. A valid U.S. visa in an expired passport is still valid.What visa do I need to work in the US?
If you wish to work in the United States for a temporary period you will require a nonimmigrant work visa. You cannot work on a visitor or business visa, or under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Unlike some countries, the United States government does not issue work visas for casual employment.Can I work in USA with as a visitor?
If you are a nonimmigrant visa holder, such as an international student, researcher, or refugee you may be able to work temporarily in the United States with an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) work permit.How can I work in USA?
Get a Work Visa As a foreign worker, you will need a visa to get a job in the U.S. Each type of visa has unique requirements, conditions, and time limits. Visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services' (USCIS) Working in the U.S. web page for an overview of each worker category and type of visa.How to apply for Temporary Work Visa in USA | Indian in America
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