Companies bring colleagues, clients and vendors to the United States for short visits all the time. Most travel as business visitors, on a B-1 visa or under the Visa Waiver Program.
The rules are narrower than many travelers assume. A visit that turns into work can cause problems at the border and in later visa applications.
What is allowed
- Meeting with business associates.
- Negotiating or signing contracts.
- Attending a conference, convention or seminar.
- Consulting about a business matter.
- Settling an estate.
Travelers under the Visa Waiver Program may do the same kinds of business activity, within the program’s limits.
What is not allowed
- Doing productive work for a U.S. employer or U.S. customers, even unpaid.
- Filling in for an absent employee.
- Being paid by a U.S. source, apart from some expenses.
- Starting a job while an H-1B or other work petition is pending.
The line is not always obvious. Training at a U.S. office, installing equipment sold under a contract and attending board meetings can each be allowed or not, depending on the details.
What to give a traveler
A short letter from the employer helps. It should say who the traveler works for, who pays them, what meetings they will attend and when they will leave. Officers decide entry at the border, and travelers should answer their questions plainly.
Keep the visit short and the return ticket real. A pattern of long or back-to-back business trips can lead an officer to conclude that the traveler is living or working here.
If the visit involves hands-on work, talk to us before booking. A work visa may be needed. See H-1B, L-1 and O-1 visas.
Sources
Published March 3, 2026.