Canadian author, US publisher, US book tour. Visa?

M

mxg

New Member
Hi. I am a Canadian citizen and resident. I recently wrote a book, which found a publisher in the US.

The publisher is arranging for to me go to a few cities in the US to promote the book with a sort of reading/performance. I will not be paid to do this, though the publisher will be paying my travel expenses.

Is this something I can do on a B1 visa? Is there some other way to do this?

Any info/thoughts would be much appreciated!
 
mxg said:
Hi. I am a Canadian citizen and resident. I recently wrote a book, which found a publisher in the US.

The publisher is arranging for to me go to a few cities in the US to promote the book with a sort of reading/performance. I will not be paid to do this, though the publisher will be paying my travel expenses.

Is this something I can do on a B1 visa? Is there some other way to do this?

Any info/thoughts would be much appreciated!
Click to expand...

B-1 is appropriate and as a Canadian, there is no need to apply for an actual visa at a Consulate, just state your reason to CBP at entry as "business trip".
 
BigJoe5 said:
B-1 is appropriate and as a Canadian, there is no need to apply for an actual visa at a Consulate, just state your reason to CBP at entry as "business trip".
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Does the fact that the publisher will pay for my travel affect things?

Is it helpful/useful to have a letter from the publisher explaining the trip (and mentioning that I will not be paid)?
 
No harm is carrying such a letter. However produce it only if asked by USCIS. No need to volunteer it at the POE.

mxg said:
Is it helpful/useful to have a letter from the publisher explaining the trip (and mentioning that I will not be paid)?
Click to expand...
 
9 FAM 41.31 N11.1 Incidental Expenses or Remuneration
(CT:VISA-701; 02-15-2005)
A nonimmigrant in B-1 status may not receive a salary from a U.S. source for services rendered in connection with his or her activities in the United States. A U.S. source, however, may provide the alien with an expense allowance or reimbursement for expenses incidental to the temporary stay. Incidental expenses may not exceed the actual reasonable expenses the alien will incur in traveling to and from the event, together with living expenses the alien reasonably can be expected to incur for meals, lodging, laundry, and other basic services.

http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/87206.pdf
 
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