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I have got 10-year multiple entry US VISA on my Indian passport. I got it to attend a technical conference.

  1. I was curious to know if I give job interview during this visit?
  2. I may not have time in this visit, but what if I go after couple of months with $3000 of my saving to sustain for a month and look for job. Is this legal?

I know I need H1-B VISA to work there, but I feel it is easier to get job (even if sponsorship is needed) to be face2face with potential employers. So, is it legal to look for job with B1/B2 ? Can I mention that to immigration officer?

PS: Yes, I'm Software Developer :P

hippietrail
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Ram Singh
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2 Answers2

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Just looking at the summary of the B-1 Visa from the state department and USCIS item #4 states that one of the potential reasons for B-1 Visa is:

  • negotiate a contract

So based on this you can conduct a job interview, which is a form of negotiating a contract for yourself. What you cannot do is to be employed and receive payments for services in the United States while on B-1 visa without employment authorization.

For any other information I would suggest contacting an Immigration lawyer since I am not one and laws and precedents tend to change.

Karlson
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-4

You cannot seek for employment while you are in US on B1/B2. If you get job offer, then US employer has to file Petition first for you. Only with approved petition, you can apply Temporary Workers visa at US Embassy in your home country.

However, you can have the company apply for a change of status and become an H1B. That's about the only work status you can change to from a B1/B2. Maybe an H2A/B. But again, it's the employer who files and pays, not you.

Onizuka
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