Tchiowa

Let me give you an example. If you are coming to the US to attend a conference, you don't need a business visa. So if you are coming to attend Comicon, you don't need a business visa. But if you are coming to have a booth at Comicon, you do.

Similar to the Oracle convention in SF every year. You don't need a business visa to attend the conference, even if you boss sent you there. But you do need one if you're going to display, even if you're not collecting any money or actually selling anything.

Redhead

Peru is one such country. I get a work visa when I go for business. My company pays. I have a US passport

johnspenceruk

Oh my goodness, so much misinformation in this thread. This is so incorrect.

Activities generally covered by B1 or Visa Waiver (Reference: http://london.usembassy.gov/b1.html)

Selling

An individual traveling to the United States to take part in an exhibition, set up an exhibition booth, display samples, sign contracts, and take orders for merchandise produced in and delivered from the United Kingdom, may be eligible for a B-1 visa or visa free travel under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).

Speaker/Lecturer

If you are traveling to the United States in connection with a speaking engagement you may travel on a B-1 visa or visa free under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) provided there is no remuneration from a U.S.source, other than expenses incidental to the visit. Speakers/lectures who will receive an honorarium in addition to incidental expenses may still be eligible for the B-1 visa or travel under the VWP provided all of the following are met:

- the activities will last no longer than nine days at a single institution;
- the institution is a nonprofit research organization or a governmental research organization, or an institution of higher education, or a related or affiliated nonprofit entity.
- such activities are conducted for the benefit of the institution or entity; and
- the speaker/lecturer has not accepted such payment or expenses from five such institutions during the previous six month period.


Conference

Participants in scientific, educational, professional, or business conventions, conferences or seminars may travel to the United States on B-1 visas or visa free travel under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). The B-1 visa or travel under the VWP is also appropriate if presenting a paper at the conference, provided there is no remuneration from a U.S. source other than expenses incidental to the stay. Those who will receive an honorarium in addition to incidental expenses will only be eligible for the B-1 visa or travel under the VWP if all of the following are met:

the activities will last no longer than nine days at a single institution;
the institution is a nonprofit research organization or a governmental research organization, or an institution of higher education, or a related or affiliated nonprofit entity.
such activities are conducted for the benefit of the institution or entity; and
the delegate has not accepted such payment or expenses from five such institutions during the previous six month period.

You want to go where?

Of course, the OP, as a Canadian citizen, falls under still different rules under NAFTA.

tentseller

There are public entry rules, there is NAFTA which give Canadian certain priviledges over the bsic rules.

But at the end of the day, IME it is the USCBP officer's that has the final decision about your eligibility for admission.

You want to go where?

...which is something we haven't talked about too much on this thread. At the end of the day, both your intentions and the rules are subject to the interpretation of the individual CBP officer. The more clearly you fit into the terms under which you are trying to be admitted, the less leeway the CBP officer has for an interpretation which is unfavorable to you.

relangford

I always get a Business Visa if I am going to be conducting any business at all - it is just too big of a risk not to. Thank goodness, China (where I go often) has just authorized a 10-year visa for U.S. citizens, including the M Business Visa.

As an aside, my boss and I went to Canada a few years ago. He was ahead of me in the Immigration line. When asked, he said he was going to meetings at one of our plants in Canada. He was told he could not enter without a work visa. I, being very astute, said I was there to sightsee the country. I had to conduct the meetings in his absence.

Tchiowa

Not sure where that site is getting all of this.

I was with a colleague from Indonesia (we flew to the US together) going to the Oracle Conference in SF. He was going to set up a display. He had a tourist visa. Immigration denied him entry when he told them he would be displaying at the conference.

As far as speaking, if you are getting paid, even if you're not getting paid by a local entity, you are required to pay state income tax (assuming the state has one). Which means you have to report it as work which means you need a business visa.

Kiwi Flyer

Some do. Many don't. Also it can take a while to get some visas due to no nearby representation. For example some I've investigated getting in the past requested my passport be sent to UK for processing - I'm based as far away from UK as it is possible to get.