Which visa for a remote freelancer with a US client traveling to the United States?
I'm a freelancer currently working remotely for a US client. They'd like me to stay with them for a short amount of time (1-2 weeks). Purpose of this trip is to attend meetings and work there for the duration of my stay.
Would this be possible with a B1 visa? Or would it require the H1B?
I was also thinking of taking a few weeks off and extending my stay for pleasure, could this be done on either of these visas?
Best Answer
The relationship with your client is totally irrelevant
Where and when you get paid is totally irrelevant
Whether you own or do not own your own business is totally irrelevant
Whether the client is paying you, or your business, is totally irrelevant
Whether the company is a US company or a foreign company is irrelevant (it's quite common to meet, say, your Japanese client in the US for some reason)
The ONLY THING that is relevant is this:
If you are there for MEETINGS
you are totally OK. That is the very purpose of the visa.
If you are there for "work"
you cannot do that.
That's all there is to it.
Thus you literally said:
Purpose of this trip is to attend meetings and work there for the duration of my stay.
If on arrival you say the words "I'm here to work for two weeks" the officer will roll his eyes, mumble "why did you say that" and send you home to Europe.
If on arrival you say the words "I'm here to meet my client Massive Engineering for a couple weeks" he'll just wave you in, like the other 60% of people on the plane in the identical situation.
That's the deal.
Note that anyone who has actually done this (and vast numbers of folks do) will explain this to you. For example, see the excellent example by @brahms in the comments.
Yes, in reality you'll probably do some "work" while you're there. 100.000% of people do this. It's not as if you will sit there and say "I can't open my laptop and do one line of code". In fact, you actually can't open your laptop and do one line of code, as that is "work", by the letter. But the reality is everyone does that. If you're only talking a couple weeks now and then, that's how it goes down.
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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.Can I freelance on a b1 visa?
B-1 Business Visitor Visa A B-1 visitor visa allows foreign nationals to visit the United States for business matters. Freelancer or self-employed workers who work in the following fields may conduct work while on the B-1 Visitor Visa: Research and design, including technical, scientific, and statistical research.What visa do I need to work remotely in US?
As long as your foreign employee works remotely form their own country, there is no need for a work visa either. However, if you were to bring them to the US either for training or an extended stay, then they would need a business visa.Can freelancer get visa in USA?
If you are interested in immigrating to the United States to do freelance or self-employed work, then you must obtain a work visa. Someone who works in the United States and is not a permanent resident or citizen must obtain a work visa.Can you work remotely as a tourist? : USA Immigration Lawyer 🇺🇸
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