Canadian Freelance Photographer working in states?

As a Canadian Freelance photographer (self-employed, based in Canada), what do I need to show customs in order to work/shoot in the states? (contract work for a Canadian company)

Thanks!

you may need to have the Canadian company get you a visa of some sort. L1B I think?

Even if you're working for a Canadian company, and being paid in Canadian dollars in Canada, if you're working on US soil, you cannot legally do that without the proper work authorization.

I've BTDT! They wouldn't let me get the t-shirt

I'm not entirely sure if you would need the same type visa if you are technically freelance in Canada and only on contract, however, you *do definitely* need some sort of visa in order to work legally on US soil. Even if it is just for one day. You may need an H visa or something else entirely, I dunno.

Check out this form at the USCIS website and this immigration lawyer's website may be of help as well. I don't know them, I just did a search, and from my own experience and knowledge, they seem to know what they're talking about.

You could try to just hop the border and say you're visiting for vacation, but if they search your bags and see all your business related stuff, you'll be denied entry, and possibly barred for a period of up to 3 years, or until you get the proper work authorization.

you may need to have the Canadian company get you a visa of some sort. L1B I think?

Even if you're working for a Canadian company, and being paid in Canadian dollars in Canada, if you're working on US soil, you cannot legally do that without the proper work authorization.

I've BTDT! They wouldn't let me get the t-shirt

I'm not entirely sure if you would need the same type visa if you are technically freelance in Canada and only on contract, however, you *do definitely* need some sort of visa in order to work legally on US soil. Even if it is just for one day. You may need an H visa or something else entirely, I dunno.

I doubt very much you will need a visa of any kind nor the status. Canadians do not need visas (except some cases like K visa). If you do not receive money in the US you do not need work authorization (H1-B, L1-B). In legal terms you are NOT WORKING on the US soil. So you do not need the authorization. All you need to get is a business status (B1) when you cross the border . You need to get a letter from your company with you stating that the company is sending you for a business trip to the use for shooting the pics. It's good to get confirmation that they are going to pay your expences while on the business trip. When you cross the border you are declaring that you are going to the specific places for shooting and provide all the documents. They will give you the status (B1) which is almost the same as visitors (B2) but for business purposes. And once again. Canadians do not need visas for the US.

Hi, We are Canadian

Just curious, is this the same advice for being hired by an American to photograph their wedding?

We are not sure what kind of Visa we need, if any? We also plan on doing this several times a year?



Thanks

While b1 would be the only status you could get, not all business activity is allowed under a B1. You would need to check with the border officer to see if they would allow this.