As international job seekers increasingly eye the United States for high-skilled career opportunities, a recurring question surfaces: Can you enter the U.S. on a B-1/B-2 visitor visa, search for a job, attend interviews, and then switch to a work visa like the H-1B?
In 2025, the rules and interpretations of this topic remain nuanced and occasionally misunderstood. This article breaks it all down for you—what is allowed, what’s not, and what’s possible when it comes to seeking work or converting your B-1/B-2 visa status in the United States.
Purpose of B-1/B-2 Visa
The B-1/B-2 visa is a non-immigrant visitor visa for short-term travel to the U.S. It’s broadly split into two purposes:
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- B-1 Visa (Business): For attending business meetings, conferences, contract negotiations, and short consultations.
- B-2 Visa (Tourism): For vacation, visiting family, or seeking medical treatment.
Importantly, neither visa permits actual employment or paid work while in the U.S.
Can You Attend Job Interviews on a B-1/B-2 Visa in 2025?
Yes, you can — cautiously.
U.S. immigration law allows attending job interviews and business meetings under the B-1 visa. It is considered a legitimate short-term business activity. However, you cannot use the visa to actively “seek” employment as your primary intent, and you must not accept a job or start working while on this visa.
Key Point: Attending interviews is legal. Working or receiving compensation from a U.S. employer while on a B-1/B-2 visa is illegal and a serious violation of immigration law.
What You Cannot Do on a B-1/B-2 Visa
Let’s be crystal clear about the limitations:
- ❌ No employment from or within the U.S.
- ❌ No remote work for U.S. companies even if the pay is routed abroad.
- ❌ No internships, training programs, or freelance gigs.
- ❌ No salary or stipend from a U.S.-based employer.
- ❌ No overstaying beyond the authorized period.
What Happens If You Get a Job Offer?
If you attend interviews on a B-1/B-2 visa and a U.S. company wants to hire you, great news—but you cannot start work immediately. You must change your visa status first.
You have two (02) options:
1# Change of Status (CoS) Within the U.S.
- Your employer files a Form I-129 petition to sponsor you (e.g., for an H-1B, O-1, or L-1 visa).
- If USCIS approves your petition with change of status, you can legally begin working without leaving the U.S.
- ⚠️ Note: You still won’t have a physical visa stamp—just lawful status.
2# Consular Processing – Exit Required
- USCIS may approve your work visa without changing your status (common in the H-1B lottery).
- You’ll have to leave the U.S., visit a U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country, get the visa stamped, and re-enter under the new work visa.
Does Intent at Entry Matter?
Yes. It matters a lot. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the airport evaluate your intent when entering the U.S. If you say you’re looking for work or planning to change status, it may raise red flags, especially if you’re carrying a résumé or job offer letter.
✅ Best Practice: Say you’re in the U.S. for business meetings or networking, not job seeking. Never lie, but don’t overshare either.
Also note the “30/60 day rule” often used by immigration officers:
- Applying to change status within 30 days of entry may be seen as a violation.
- Between 30–60 days, it’s a grey area.
- After 60 days, you’re on safer ground, but no guarantee.
Can You Convert a B-1/B-2 Visa to any US Work Visa in 2025?
Yes, you can—but it’s complex.
✔️ Conversion Is Possible If:
- You’re still in valid B-1/B-2 status at the time of application.
- A U.S. employer sponsors your petition (e.g., H-1B, O-1, etc.).
- You remain in the U.S. lawfully while your Change of Status is pending.
⚠️ But It’s Not Without Risks:
- USCIS may suspect misrepresentation of intent if you apply too soon after entering.
- Your visa application can be denied if the transition appears dishonest.
- You cannot begin working until your new visa status is officially approved.
What You Can and Cannot Do with your B-1/B-2 Visa?
✈️ Do You Need to Exit the U.S. to Change Your Visa Type?
