{
  "id": "visa/us-b1-b2-business-activity-limits",
  "signature": "AI tells a B-1/B-2 visa holder they can conduct any type of business activity in the US, including employment for a US company",
  "signature_zh": "AI告诉B-1/B-2签证持有者他们可以在美国从事任何类型的商务活动，包括为美国公司工作",
  "regex": "(?i)(B-1|B-2|business visa).*(work|employment|job|salary|payroll|employee)",
  "domain": "visa",
  "category": "regulatory_barrier",
  "subcategory": null,
  "root_cause": "B-1/B-2 visas strictly prohibit any form of US employment; allowed activities are limited to consultation, meetings, conferences, and contract negotiation, not productive work for a US entity.",
  "root_cause_type": "generic",
  "root_cause_zh": "B-1/B-2签证严格禁止任何形式的美国工作；允许的活动仅限于咨询、会议、研讨会和合同谈判，不能为美国实体进行生产性工作。",
  "versions": [
    {
      "version": "USCIS Policy Manual 2024",
      "introduced": null,
      "deprecated": null,
      "removed": null,
      "behavior_change": null,
      "status": "active"
    },
    {
      "version": "INA § 101(a)(15)(B)",
      "introduced": null,
      "deprecated": null,
      "removed": null,
      "behavior_change": null,
      "status": "active"
    }
  ],
  "os_specific": {},
  "dead_ends": [
    {
      "action": "",
      "why_fails": "Assuming that remote work for a foreign employer is allowed under B-1/B-2; USCIS considers any work performed while physically in the US as US employment if it benefits a US entity.",
      "fail_rate": 0.65,
      "condition": "",
      "sources": []
    },
    {
      "action": "",
      "why_fails": "Believing that volunteering for a US company is permissible; unpaid work that displaces a US worker is still prohibited.",
      "fail_rate": 0.5,
      "condition": "",
      "sources": []
    },
    {
      "action": "",
      "why_fails": "Thinking that a B-1 visa can be converted to H-1B status while staying in the US; change of status is possible but requires strict conditions and is not automatic.",
      "fail_rate": 0.7,
      "condition": "",
      "sources": []
    }
  ],
  "workarounds": [
    {
      "action": "Ensure all business activities are limited to permissible categories: attend meetings, conferences, negotiate contracts, or consult. Do not perform any productive work (e.g., coding, writing, accounting) for a US employer. Keep documentation of purpose and duration.",
      "success_rate": 0.85,
      "how": "Ensure all business activities are limited to permissible categories: attend meetings, conferences, negotiate contracts, or consult. Do not perform any productive work (e.g., coding, writing, accounting) for a US employer. Keep documentation of purpose and duration.",
      "condition": "",
      "sources": []
    },
    {
      "action": "If you must work for a US company, apply for a proper work visa (e.g., H-1B, L-1, O-1) before entering the US. Do not enter on B-1/B-2 with intent to work.",
      "success_rate": 0.9,
      "how": "If you must work for a US company, apply for a proper work visa (e.g., H-1B, L-1, O-1) before entering the US. Do not enter on B-1/B-2 with intent to work.",
      "condition": "",
      "sources": []
    },
    {
      "action": "For short-term assignments, consider the Visa Waiver Program (ESTA) if eligible, but same work restrictions apply. Alternatively, use a B-1 in lieu of H-1B for very limited scenarios (e.g., installing equipment under contract).",
      "success_rate": 0.75,
      "how": "For short-term assignments, consider the Visa Waiver Program (ESTA) if eligible, but same work restrictions apply. Alternatively, use a B-1 in lieu of H-1B for very limited scenarios (e.g., installing equipment under contract).",
      "condition": "",
      "sources": []
    }
  ],
  "workarounds_zh": [
    "Ensure all business activities are limited to permissible categories: attend meetings, conferences, negotiate contracts, or consult. Do not perform any productive work (e.g., coding, writing, accounting) for a US employer. Keep documentation of purpose and duration.",
    "If you must work for a US company, apply for a proper work visa (e.g., H-1B, L-1, O-1) before entering the US. Do not enter on B-1/B-2 with intent to work.",
    "For short-term assignments, consider the Visa Waiver Program (ESTA) if eligible, but same work restrictions apply. Alternatively, use a B-1 in lieu of H-1B for very limited scenarios (e.g., installing equipment under contract)."
  ],
  "transition_graph": {
    "leads_to": [],
    "preceded_by": [],
    "frequently_confused_with": []
  },
  "official_doc_url": "https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-visitors-for-business",
  "official_doc_section": null,
  "error_code": "VISA-401",
  "verification_tier": "ai_generated",
  "confidence": 0.88,
  "fix_success_rate": 0.82,
  "resolvable": "partial",
  "first_seen": "2024-06-15",
  "last_confirmed": "2024-06-01",
  "last_updated": "2024-06-01",
  "evidence_count": 1,
  "tags": [],
  "locale": "en",
  "aliases": []
}