Can I work if I enter as a tourist for the World Cup? The answer is NO

Jul 13
6 min read

The 2026 World Cup is right around the corner. Thousands of Latinos will travel to the United States to experience the soccer celebration. But there is one question many ask themselves that can cost them dearly: can I work if I enter as a tourist for the World Cup?

The answer is definitive: NO. The B1/B2 tourist visa does not authorize any type of paid work in the United States. And the consequences of doing so are severe: from immediate visa cancellation to deportation and a reentry ban that can last for years.

At RISE Immigration Services, we are not lawyers, but we are here to give you the clear and up-to-date information you need to avoid ruining your trip. Here is what you need to know.

What does the B1/B2 visa allow?

The B1/B2 visa is a visitor visa for very specific purposes. The B-2 is for tourism, vacations, family visits, or medical treatment. The B-1 covers certain temporary business trips, such as attending meetings, conferences, or negotiating contracts.

But neither of them authorizes paid work within the United States. The B-2 visa is designed for tourism, family visits, and medical treatment. The B-1 covers certain business trips, but it does not allow local paid employment either.

What can you NOT do with a tourist visa?

The list of prohibited activities is clear. With a B1/B2 visa, you cannot:

Work for a US employer: Whether full-time, part-time, freelance, or contract. Receiving payment from a US company or person is a direct violation.
Create monetized content: Even if you do not receive direct payment from a US company, recording videos or taking photos to earn money on social media while in the country can be considered unauthorized work. CBP authorities have been clear: producing content for financial gain while in the country on a tourist visa can be considered unauthorized work.
Receive income from activities performed in the United States: The visa does not allow the receipt of income derived from work performed within the country.
Enroll in an academic study program: If you want to study at a university or college, you need a student visa (F-1 or M-1).
Perform paid artistic presentations: You cannot participate as an artist, professional athlete, or musician for compensation.
Live or reside permanently: The B1/B2 is a visitor visa. It is not a gateway to move to the United States permanently.

What if I work remotely for my employer in my home country?

This is a common question. Many believe that if their employer is in their home country and the payment goes to a bank account outside the United States, there is no problem. That is incorrect.

Even continuing to perform work for an employer abroad while physically in the United States is not permitted. Working remotely in the United States on a tourist visa can negatively affect your immigration status and your ability to return in the future. Authorities consider any work activity performed within US territory, regardless of where the employer is located, to be unauthorized work.

The consequences of working without permission

Working without authorization in the United States is not a minor offense. The consequences are serious and can ruin your trip and your immigration future.

Immediate visa cancellation

If authorities detect that you are working without permission, your visa can be canceled on the spot. It does not matter if it is your first time or if it was "just a small job." Violating the terms of your visa is enough to lose the benefit.

Deportation

Unauthorized work is grounds for deportation. If you are discovered, you can be expelled from the country immediately. And it is not just a remote possibility: authorities have warned that a single monetized post can be enough to face deportation.

Reentry ban

In addition to deportation, you can face restrictions on entering the country in the future. Depending on the severity of the violation, the ban can be 3, 5, or even 10 years.

Damage to future applications

If in the future you wish to apply for a green card, a work visa, or even citizenship, a history of unauthorized work can severely damage your case. USCIS considers work without authorization as an immigration violation that can make you inadmissible for certain benefits.

What about influencers and content creators?

This is a particularly relevant topic for the 2026 World Cup. US authorities have issued specific warnings for content creators planning to cover the event.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have made it clear that foreign influencers traveling to the United States on a tourist visa will not be able to create content for monetization on social media without a work visa.

If your plan is to record videos, take photos, or live stream to earn money from the World Cup, you need a work visa. The tourist visa is not enough. Creating monetized content can be considered unauthorized work and be penalized.

What visa do you need if you want to work during the World Cup?

If your goal is to work in the United States during the World Cup, you need the proper visa. There is no "World Cup visa." You must fit into a specific work visa classification.

Some options include:

P-1 visa: For professionally recognized athletes and their essential support personnel.
O-1 visa: For individuals with extraordinary abilities in sciences, arts, education, business, or sports.
H-1B visa: For workers in specialty occupations (although it has an annual cap and specific filing dates).
I visa: For journalists and media representatives coming to work on news coverage.

If you are going to work, even if it is "just for a few days," you need the correct visa. There are no shortcuts.

What you CAN do with your tourist visa

Although you cannot work, there are many things you CAN do with your B1/B2 visa during the World Cup:

Enjoy the matches: Attend the stadiums and experience the soccer atmosphere.
Sightsee: Visit host cities, theme parks, museums, and attractions.
Visit family or friends: Reunite with your loved ones who live in the United States.
Attend business meetings (B-1): As long as you do not receive payment from a US source and do not perform manual work.

Recommendations for World Cup attendees

If you are traveling to the United States for the World Cup, follow these recommendations to avoid problems:

Do not work: Not even "for one day" or "as a favor." The risk is not worth it.
Do not create monetized content: If you are an influencer, make sure you have the proper work visa before posting content from the United States.
Do not work remotely for your employer in your home country: Authorities consider any work activity performed on US soil to be unauthorized work.
Respect the limits of your stay: Do not exceed the time allowed on your I-94. If you overstay, your visa is automatically canceled.
Bring proof of your ties: If the immigration officer asks, demonstrate that you have reasons to return to your home country (job, family, property).

Clear information, not legal advice

At RISE Immigration Services, we are not lawyers, but we are here to inform you. This content is a guide based on official announcements from the State Department, CBP, and USCIS, as well as reliable sources. For specific advice about your case, always consult with a licensed immigration attorney.

References

U.S. Customs and Border Protection. CBP Welcomes You to FIFA World Cup 2026.
U.S. Department of State. U.S. Visa and Travel Information for FIFA World Cup 2026™ Fans.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Chapter 6 - Unauthorized Employment (INA 245(c)(2) and INA 245(c)(8)). 26 de febrero de 2025.
U.S. Department of State. 9 FAM 402.1 Overview of NIV Classifications.
Wired. The US Is Requiring Foreign Influencers to Get Work Visas for the 2026 World Cup. 12 de junio de 2026.
El País. US warns foreign 'influencers' ahead of World Cup: creating content on a tourist visa is illegal. 10 de junio de 2026.
La Nación. CBP y DHS: el error que cometen extranjeros con visa de turista y que puede terminar en deportación inmediata. 15 de junio de 2026.
Ecuavisa. Mundial 2026: ¿qué puede y qué no puede hacer con la visa de turismo de Estados Unidos; y qué pasa si trabaja sin permiso? 19 de junio de 2026.
Lexology. Working Remotely in the U.S.? Your Immigration Status May Be at Risk. 16 de junio de 2026.
Centuro Global. B-1/B-2 Visa Guide (2026). 7 de enero de 2026.