Work as freelancer while tourist in US [duplicate]

I work as a freelancer in web development in Germany for German customers. I now want to visit my sister as a tourist for 2 months in the US. She's studying there for a year.

Am I allowed to continue to work on my projects for my German customers while being in the US? I do not want to get new American customers.

usa legal work

Best Answer

Looks like a duplicate of Can you search for a job when using a tourist visa (B-2) in the US
To summarise the accepted answer there: NO.
The visa requirements quite clearly state you're not allowed to perform labour, they don't specify that that labour has to be performed for a US company.
In fact you are not even allowed to enter the US on a tourist visa to go to a professional conference or training course, where you don't perform a job at all.
From what I can read on the requisite websites, you probably need an H-1b or L visa, which can be very hard and expensive to get (the H-1b application quota for example are usually full for the year within an hour of the process opening for that year).
http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1262.html
http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1286.html

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Can you do freelance work on a tourist visa?

Working as a Freelancer on a tourist visaThey must leave before the tourist visa expires. They often come back in a short while later and get another tourist visa to stay longer. Is it legal? Well not really, but many countries want the income from freelancers and digital nomads, and they turn a blind eye.

Can you freelance while living in another country?

Not everyone can just pick up and freelance in another country. It is far easier for some than others, and it largely depends on the country you're from, the one you intend to visit, and how long you plan to stay. You need to know what your options are before quitting your full-time job and buying that one-way ticket.

Can I freelance in US tourist 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 follow fields may conduct work while on the B-1 Visitor Visa: Research and design. Growth, manufacturing, and production.

Can you travel while freelancing?

Freelancing can be combined with long-term travelling, as a way to give yourself an income and extend your trip. It can also be combined with living abroad, allowing you to move with a partner, or just live somewhere with a lower cost of living and have your money go further.

Can you work remotely as a tourist? : USA Immigration Lawyer 🇺🇸

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