| CAN I LOOK FOR WORK WHILE I AM ON A | | | | obtain your tourist visa in good faith and that you |
| TOURIST VISA? | | | | came with the intention of finding a job, they may deny |
| When you apply for a tourist visa, you are expected | | | | your visa. |
| to enter the U.S. for tourism only. If you enter the | | | | If you are from a country involved in the Visa Waiver |
| country to look for a job, tourism is clearly not your | | | | Program you are only allowed to stay in the U.S. for |
| primary purpose for coming to the U.S. If, however, | | | | 90 days. Time spent in Canada or Mexico counts |
| you enter the U.S. as a tourist and then receive an | | | | towards this 90 day limit. Therefore, you will not be |
| unexpected job offer, you may be able to explain to | | | | able to enter either one of these countries to change |
| an immigration officer that your intent in coming to the | | | | your visa status or to return to the U.S. for another 90 |
| U.S. was tourism, but now that you have been offered | | | | days. You will be required to leave the continent and |
| a job you would like to change your visa status to | | | | re-enter the U.S. with a new visa. To find out whether |
| allow you to work. If this is the case, it may also be | | | | your home country is involved in the Visa Waiver |
| helpful to ask your employer for a statement explaining | | | | Program, visit |
| that you did not petition him or her for the job. | | | | If you wish to travel and work in the U.S. either of the |
| If you find a job while you are on a tourist visa, it is | | | | following two options will help you avoid the potential |
| possible that you may be able to change your visa | | | | problems outlined above: |
| status after your initial entry as a tourist. You will have | | | | 1. Enter the U.S. on a tourist visa for the purpose of |
| to leave the U.S. to do this. The immigration officer, | | | | travel and tourism. If you should happen to find a job |
| however, has a right to question you about the reason | | | | while you are in the country, leave and make the |
| you came initially on a tourist visa. If he or she feels | | | | necessary visa arrangements and then return to the |
| that you did in fact enter the country with the intention | | | | country on a work visa; or |
| of being a tourist he or she will likely approve your | | | | 2. Enter on a work visa and then travel when your |
| new visa. If however, the officer feels that you did not | | | | employer grants you vacation time. |