{
  "id": "visa/us-b1-b2-remote-work",
  "signature": "AI tells a B-1/B-2 visa holder they can work remotely for a US employer while visiting the US, or that incidental work is allowed",
  "signature_zh": "AI错误告知B-1/B-2签证持有者可以在访美期间为美国雇主远程工作，或允许附带工作",
  "regex": "(B-1|B-2|visitor visa).*(remote work|work remotely|incidental work|telecommute)",
  "domain": "visa",
  "category": "immigration_risk",
  "subcategory": null,
  "root_cause": "B-1/B-2 visitor visas strictly prohibit any gainful employment in the US, including remote work for a US-based employer, as the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) Section 214(b) requires a clear non-immigrant intent and no unauthorized work",
  "root_cause_type": "generic",
  "root_cause_zh": "B-1/B-2访问签证严格禁止在美国境内从事任何有酬工作，包括为美国雇主远程工作，因为《移民与国籍法》第214(b)条要求明确的非移民意图且不得未经授权工作",
  "versions": [
    {
      "version": "USCIS Policy Manual 2025",
      "introduced": null,
      "deprecated": null,
      "removed": null,
      "behavior_change": null,
      "status": "active"
    },
    {
      "version": "INA § 214(b)",
      "introduced": null,
      "deprecated": null,
      "removed": null,
      "behavior_change": null,
      "status": "active"
    },
    {
      "version": "9 FAM 402.2-5",
      "introduced": null,
      "deprecated": null,
      "removed": null,
      "behavior_change": null,
      "status": "active"
    }
  ],
  "os_specific": {},
  "dead_ends": [
    {
      "action": "",
      "why_fails": "Claiming remote work is 'incidental' or 'de minimis'—USCIS and CBP do not recognize a de minimis exception for B-1/B-2 remote work",
      "fail_rate": 0.95,
      "condition": "",
      "sources": []
    },
    {
      "action": "",
      "why_fails": "Assuming using a VPN or foreign laptop hides activity—CBP can inspect devices at entry and ask about work plans; lying is fraud",
      "fail_rate": 0.9,
      "condition": "",
      "sources": []
    }
  ],
  "workarounds": [
    {
      "action": "Switch to an L-1 or H-1B visa if employed by a US company, or apply for a B-1 in lieu of H-1B for short-term project-based work (e.g., attending meetings, not coding daily). For true remote work, stay outside the US and use a tourist visa only for tourism.",
      "success_rate": 0.75,
      "how": "Switch to an L-1 or H-1B visa if employed by a US company, or apply for a B-1 in lieu of H-1B for short-term project-based work (e.g., attending meetings, not coding daily). For true remote work, stay outside the US and use a tourist visa only for tourism.",
      "condition": "",
      "sources": []
    },
    {
      "action": "If already in the US on B-1/B-2, stop all work immediately and file a change of status to a work-authorized visa (e.g., H-1B, L-1) via Form I-129, but this is complex and requires employer sponsorship.",
      "success_rate": 0.4,
      "how": "If already in the US on B-1/B-2, stop all work immediately and file a change of status to a work-authorized visa (e.g., H-1B, L-1) via Form I-129, but this is complex and requires employer sponsorship.",
      "condition": "",
      "sources": []
    }
  ],
  "workarounds_zh": [
    "Switch to an L-1 or H-1B visa if employed by a US company, or apply for a B-1 in lieu of H-1B for short-term project-based work (e.g., attending meetings, not coding daily). For true remote work, stay outside the US and use a tourist visa only for tourism.",
    "If already in the US on B-1/B-2, stop all work immediately and file a change of status to a work-authorized visa (e.g., H-1B, L-1) via Form I-129, but this is complex and requires employer sponsorship."
  ],
  "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": "INA-214(b)-B",
  "verification_tier": "ai_generated",
  "confidence": 0.88,
  "fix_success_rate": 0.7,
  "resolvable": "true",
  "first_seen": "2023-06-15",
  "last_confirmed": "2024-06-01",
  "last_updated": "2024-06-01",
  "evidence_count": 1,
  "tags": [],
  "locale": "en",
  "aliases": []
}