Remote independent contractor needs short onsite training in US - what is the Visa requirement?

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As a small US based firm, we have offered a contract to a candidate as a remote independent contractor, who does not stay or work in the US. We would require the person to attend our in person 1 week training first, post which s/he can work with us from his/her country remotely. What visa would be required for the person to attend the training in person?

Is a B1 visa sufficient, if we do not pay the person for his/her attending the workshop but just reimburse the costs of his/her travel and stay? Or does this person count as an employee of our firm, and this must be a work visa?






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Can I visit the US while working remotely for a US company?

If your remote employee is an American citizen, they can occasionally come in to work at your home office. But if your remote employee isn't an American citizen, they can travel to your US-based home office but they can't work out of it unless they have work visa.

Can I travel to US for training?

The B-1 visa allows people to be in the United States on a temporary basis for business pursuits like training, meetings, conferences and contract negotiations.

Can you work remotely on b1 visa?

Tourist visas do not allow you to work as employed in the issuing country. But, they do not prohibit you from doing your 'home' work while on vacation. So anyone from anywhere who is working on their laptop or smartphone while on short or long vacation is not under any penalty.



Independent Contractors Explanation




Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

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