B1/B2 Visa Rules – What’s Allowed & What Will Get You Denied

Written by Travis and Mandy Feuerbacher, Former Visa Officers & Immigration Attorneys

Quick Summary

✅ Allowed: Business meetings, tourism, medical treatment.

🚫 Not Allowed: Employment, school enrollment, unauthorized performances.

Common Mistake: Assuming unpaid work is legal - it can still be considered unauthorized employment. 

Next Steps: Watch our visa interview tips video & download our free B1/B2 visa guide.

A Visa Denied Before You Even Arrive? Here’s How to Avoid It

Imagine you're planning to travel to the U.S. for meetings with an important customer. You’re well-prepared, excited for your trip, and confident that everything is in order. But once you arrive at the visa interview and explain that you will install some computer hardware during the meeting for the customer, the Visa Officer denies your application, explaining that you are unauthorized to work on a B1/B2 visitor visa.

Now you have to explain to your boss – and your customer - why you couldn’t make it to the important meeting.

What went wrong? You assumed that meetings with customers were allowed under a B1/B2 visitor visa, but under U.S. immigration law, certain activities, such as performing other services like installing hardware, may still qualify as “work” and are not allowed.

To protect yourself from a visa nightmare, let’s break down exactly what you can and can’t do on a B1/B2 visa.

✔ What’s Allowed on a B1/B2 Visa?

• Consult or meet with business associates
• Attend scientific, educational, professional, or business convention or conferences
• Settle estates
• Negotiate contracts
• Travel for tourism or vacation
• Visit friends or relatives
• Obtain medical treatment
• Participate in social events hosted by fraternal, social, or service organizations
• Participate as amateurs in musical, sports, or similar events or contests, if not being paid for participating
• Enroll in a short recreational course of study, not for credit toward a degree (for example, a two-day cooking class while on vacation)

🚫 What’s NOT Allowed?

• Attend school 
• Work
• Perform for money
• Perform professionally before a paying audience
• Arrive as a crewmember on a ship or aircraft
• Work as foreign press, in radio, film, print journalism, or other information media
• Permanently reside in the United States
• Engage in criminal activity
• Travel for the primary purpose of giving birth in the United States

❓ Can I attend a wedding or family event on a B1/B2 visa?
Yes, attending social events such as weddings or family gatherings is permitted under the B2 (tourism) category.

❓ Is it permitted to seek medical treatment in the U.S. on a B1/B2 visa?
Yes, obtaining medical treatment is an allowed activity on a B2 visa. Ensure you have documentation from your physician and the U.S. medical facility.

❓ Can I participate in a short recreational course on a B1/B2 visa?
Yes, enrolling in a short recreational course, such as a two-day cooking class, is allowed as long as it's not for credit toward a degree.

❓ Am I allowed to negotiate business contracts on a B1/B2 visa?
Yes, negotiating contracts is a permissible activity under the B1 (business) category.

❓ Can I perform in a concert for free on a B1/B2 visa?
Yes, amateur participation in musical or sports events without remuneration is allowed on a B2 visa.

❓ Is house hunting allowed on a B1/B2 visa?
Yes, you can look for potential residences; however, purchasing property does not grant you residency rights. Property ownership does not grant you the ability to study in the United States without a student visa.

❓ Can I attend job interviews on a B1/B2 visa?
Yes, attending job interviews is generally permitted on a B1/B2 visa, but accepting employment requires proper work authorization.​

❓ Can I bring my children with me on a B1/B2 visa?
Yes, your children can accompany you, each with their own B1/B2 visa.

Take the Next Step & Get Your Visa Approved

🎥 Watch: Ex-Visa Officer Explains What You Can and Can’t Do on a B1/B2 Visa (YouTube Channel)
📩 Download: Your Free Step-by-Step B1/B2 Visa Guide, trusted by thousands of successful applicants. (Free Guide)
🧳 Prepare: Get expert coaching inside our B1/B2 Visa Course - don't leave your approval to chance! (Click here)

Your approval isn’t based on luck - it’s based on preparation. Let’s make it happen.

🚨 Legal Note: The information provided does not constitute legal advice or a guarantee of visa approval. For specific legal guidance, contact ZF Visa & Immigration at [email protected].

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