1
Working in the states, without a visa?
I am a Canadian, wanting to go to the states at the end of the summer– California to be specific.
I was wondering if it is legal to do work while in the states for my Canadian clients, to be paid either during my stay or upon returning home? I’m a self-employed (freelance) web developer.
To my understanding, the laws exist to prevent visitors from taking american jobs, but since this would have no effect on that what-so-oever, is this legal?
Hope someone knows and can link a document with more information, I’ve been unable to find anything specific to my case.
Thanks!
Self employment is considered employment. Visitors may not engage in gainful employment in the United States.
If you can prove that your earnings and travel expenses are paid outside the US on a non-US payroll dispersed into a non-US bank account, and that the profit center for the project is a non-US company, you should be all right.
The principal place of business and the place where the profit predominantly accrues must be in a foreign country. If you can prove that, you would appear to be admissible.
All visitors, regardless of their purpose, must show that they have a residence in a foreign country that he or she has no intention of abandoning and;
that they are coming temporarily to the United States.
Avoid having any clients who reside and/or operate in the U.S.