The FIFA World Cup Trophy is displayed during the Los Angeles stop of The FIFA World Cup 26 Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola at LA Live in Los Angeles on March 24, 2026. (Photo by Frederic J. Brown / AFP)
The United States has warned foreign content creators and social media influencers against earning income while in the country on tourist visas, saying offenders could face deportation and future travel restrictions.
In a statement issued to Spanish news agency EFE, the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department of Homeland Security said visitors who generate revenue from US-based sources while admitted under a tourist programme would be violating immigration rules.
“Having the sole purpose of the visit be content creation (as an influencer), thereby generating income from U.S. sources while in the country, is considered work and requires the appropriate visa,” they said.
The agencies explained that the B-2 tourist visa is strictly for leisure travel, family visits, vacations and medical purposes, and does not permit paid employment or income-generating activities within the United States.
They added that visitors must also comply with the duration of stay granted at entry, warning that violations could lead to visa revocation, removal from the country and possible bans on future entry.
The directive covers creators who earn revenue through platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and Facebook. CBP also noted that working for a media organisation while on a tourist visa is prohibited.
Immigration lawyer Alex Galvez told EFE that foreign nationals who violate the terms of their admission could lose their tourist visa privileges altogether.
