Seminar Tour from Canada in US

TV33

Registered Users (C)
I just need to know if it is possible for Canadian citizen to enter the US, sell tickets for, and conduct seminars on their own?

Under NAFTA it states: "Sales, including sales representatives and
agents taking orders and negotiating contracts for goods or services,
but not delivering goods or providing services; buyers purchasing for
an enterprise located in Canada." As such a seminar could be deemed
"providing services" this seems to suggest it would be illegal.

But further down it states: "An alien coming to the U.S. to: engage in
commercial transactions (i.e., buying or selling) which do not involve
gainful employment in the US; ... participate in scientific,
educational, professional, or business conventions, conferences, or
seminars; or undertake independent research;"

Would selling tickets for a seminar in the US (at the door) be
considered "participation in a seminar" and thus allowed, or is it not
allowed under the "providing services" provision?

It seems as though the B-1 would NOT cover seminars from Canada. So also, is it possible to conduct a seminar through other means (without having $1million+ and 10+ US employees)? It just doesn't seem like any of the Visas cover this.
 
While I do have a Law degree, the seminar I'm conducting is not related to Law. It is a seminar on conducting sales. Since this is not listed as a "Professional" field, does this mean I cannot use the TN Visa?
 
Really... it all depends on how your TN letter is written, and how the officer at the POE/PFI interprets it. Make your TN letter "fit" the mold. Good luck.
 
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