Ask the Consul
I have a B1/B2. Why do I need an I or P visa to work in the US?
B1 visa holders can pursue
business interests, including consult with business associates, negotiate a
contract, buy goods or materials or participate in business or professional
conventions but, with few exceptions, they can not pursue gainful employment.
In order to work as a media representative, an I visa is needed. To qualify for
the I visa, an applicant needs to be a representative of the foreign press,
radio, film or any other information medium on a specific assignment. Freelance
media workers can not work abroad on either a B1 or I visa without a valid
contract of employment. An I visa can not be used to find work in the United
States, without exception.
In order to work as an athlete or entertainer in the US, an applicant needs a P
visa. In order to perform at a specific athletic competition or to perform at a
specific entertainment performances as a member of a group, a P visa is needed.
An applicant can only work on a P visa for a defined period of time or for a
specific event. An applicant can not stay in the United States on a P visa
beyond the specific activity that the P visa was requested for.
It is important to remember that even with an I or P visa, the visa holder can
only work on the specific assignment or competition petitioned for in the
application package, and can not secure additional employment outside the scope
of the petition while in the United States. To qualify for an I or P visa, the
applicant must demonstrate their intention to return to the Dominican Republic
following the end of their authorized stay in the USA, as they would for a B1/B2
visa. |
