What you can (and can’t) do on a tourist visa when you have a Startup🚀

Many entrepreneurs travel to the United States with the goal of expanding their startup, meeting investors, or exploring the tech ecosystem. However, if they do so on a tourist visa (B1/B2), it’s essential to understand which activities are allowed—and which ones could put their immigration status at risk.

The tourist visa does not authorize employment or income generation, but it does allow you to engage in several key activities to build relationships, explore the market, and prepare for a future expansion in a legal and secure way.

Below is a practical guide outlining what you can—and cannot—do while in the U.S. on this type of visa.

What you can do on a tourist visa

✅ 1. Attend conferences and side events:

Participating in conferences, tech fairs, or networking events is completely acceptable. Take the opportunity to attend talks, learn about trends, and—most importantly—connect with others outside of the official schedule.

✅ 2. Meet with investors and accelerators:

You can hold exploratory meetings with venture funds, accelerators, or potential strategic partners. These conversations don’t involve any kind of employment or contract signing—they’re simply opportunities to get to know each other, gauge interest, and plan potential next steps.

✅ 3. Network with other founders:

Startup communities thrive on collaboration and real stories. Sit next to strangers, share your experience, and listen to how others are growing. Many partnerships and opportunities arise from spontaneous conversations between founders—not from main stage presentations.

✅ 4. Talk to potential customers:

You can meet with potential users or companies, show a demo of your product, or ask for feedback. The key is to keep these meetings exploratory: you cannot close sales or sign contracts while on a tourist visa.

✅ 5. Explore future visa options:

If your goal is to establish your startup in the U.S., this is the perfect time to learn about alternatives such as the O-1A visa (for founders with demonstrable achievements) or the EB-2 NIW (for professionals contributing to the national interest). Understanding the requirements now will help you plan a solid and legal immigration transition for the future.

🚫 What you cannot do on a tourist visa

While your entrepreneurial spirit might push you to make the most of every minute in the U.S., there are clear limits you must respect:

1. You cannot sign contracts or close business deals: Doing so is considered active business or work activity, which is not permitted under a tourist visa.

   
   

2. You cannot onboard new clients or offer services: Any exchange that results in income, payments, or economic benefit is prohibited.

   
   

3. You cannot perform any type of work—remote or in-person—that generates compensation: Even if the payments are received outside the U.S., USCIS may interpret it as unauthorized employment.

   
   

4. You cannot take part in operational meetings for your business.This includes internal decision-making, negotiations, team presentations, or administrative management. Such actions may be seen as active business conduct, which falls outside the scope of the B1/B2 visa.

Visiting the United States on a tourist visa can be an excellent opportunity to observe, connect, and lay the groundwork for your future expansion. The key is not to cross the line between exploring and operating.

If your goal is to build or scale your startup in the U.S., there are immigration options designed specifically for founders and talented professionals — such as the O-1A or EB-2 NIW — that allow you to do so safely and sustainably.

👉Would you like to schedule a strategy session to evaluate your case and design your U.S. expansion plan?

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