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Comment by ghaff | Hacker News Reader

Something else to be aware of--which I've heard second hand--is saying anything that implies you'll be in the country to work. This can potentially include an honorarium, travel expenses covered, etc. Just something to watch.

(As a US passport holder) attending conferences in most countries, much less answering some emails, without a specific business visa has never been an issue for me personally, but it can be an issue for some. (And business visas with letters of introduction etc. are required last time I got one from e.g. China.)

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Yup. Visas have multiple types, and unless it's specifically for that, you're forbidden from doing anything that looks like work.

They also want to be quite sure you'll be returning after you're done, so a part of the application process is that there's something that ties you to your home country, like a job, house, etc. You're also expected to have enough savings to pay for anything you might need without working.

I travel on a B1/B2 visa for conferences. When asked for the purpose of my visit, a common follow-up question is if I am going to receive any remuneration for my talk.

It's a tricky question since sometimes speakers receive a reimbursement for travel costs. I imagine that answering "yes" might cause you a lot of headache.

A lot of countries (e.g. UK) seem not to have the clear B1/B2 separation that the US has with just a "standard" visa for US citizens and others covering routine business matters like attending conferences, meeting with customers, doing some work in your hotel room, etc. in addition to tourism stuff.

But you're right. No one really wants to hear about your travel expenses being covered or your nominal honorarium--which are absolutely routine for certain types of industry roles. Your company is covering it as a routine matter (and that applies if you're in business for yourself as well.)

The (usually) technically correct response is that your company will reimburse you in your home country.

My father-in-law is a salesman for women's apparel. Two of his largest lines are based in Canada, so he has to go there at least twice a year for sales meetings. However, his reimbursement is entirely covered by their US subsidiary. It's a working visa, but granted on entry and prohibits work that will be paid for in Canada (e.g., he can take orders for products that will be shipped to the US, but not for those that will be shipped to Canada).

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