Additional B-1 Visa Activities under NAFTA for Canadians

In addition to the activities permitted under the B-1 Visa classification, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) expands the permissible B-1 Visa activities for Canadians to include the following business activities:

  • Research and design: Technical scientific and statistical researchers conducting independent research or research for an enterprise located in the territory of another NAFTA Party.
  • Growth, manufacturing and production: Harvester owner supervising a crew harvesting of agricultural grain, fiber, fruit and vegetable crops and management personnel conducting commercial transactions for an enterprise located in the territory of another NAFTA Party.
  • Marketing: Market researchers and analyst conducting independent research or analysis, or research or analysis for an enterprise located in the territory of another NAFTA Party; Trade fair and promotional personnel attending a trade convention.
  • Sales: Sales representatives and agents taking orders or negotiating contracts for goods or services for an enterprise located in the territory of another NAFTA Party but not delivering goods or providing services; Buyers purchasing for an enterprise located in the territory of another NAFTA Party.
  • Distribution: Transportation operators transporting goods or passengers to the United States from the territory of another NAFTA Party or loading and transporting goods or passengers from the United States to the territory of another NAFTA Party, with no unloading in the United States, to the territory of another Party.
  • After sales service: Installers, repair and maintenance personnel, and supervisors, possessing specialized knowledge essential to the seller’s contractual obligation, performing services or training workers to perform services, pursuant to a warranty incidental to the sale of commercial or industrial equipment or machinery, including computer software, purchased from an enterprise located outside the United States, during the life of the warranty or service agreement.
  • General service: Professionals engaging in a business activity at a professional level in a profession set out in Appendix 1603.D.1 to Annex 1603 of the NAFTA, but receiving no salary or other remuneration from a United States source (other than expenses incidental to the temporary stay) and otherwise satisfying the requirements of NAFTA.
  • Management and supervisory personnel engaging in commercial transactions for an enterprise located in the territory of another NAFTA Party.
  • Financial services personnel (insurers, bankers or investment brokers) engaging in commercial transactions for an enterprise located in the territory of another NAFTA Party.
  • Public relations and advertising personnel consulting with business associates, or attending or participating in conventions.
  • Tourism personnel: tour and travel agents, tour guides or tour operators, attending or participating in conventions or conducting a tour that has begun in the territory of another NAFTA Party.
  • The tour may begin in the United States; but must terminate in foreign territory, and a significant portion of the tour must be conducted in foreign territory.
  • In such a case, an operator may enter the United States with an empty conveyance and a tour guide may enter on his or her own and join the conveyance.
  • Tour bus operators entering the United States:
  • With a group of passengers on a bus tour that has begun in, and will return to, the territory of another NAFTA Party.
  • To meet a group of passengers on a bus tour that will end, and the predominant portion of which will take place, in the territory of another NAFTA Party.
  • With a group of passengers on a bus tour to be unloaded in the United States and returning with no passengers or reloading with the group for transportation to the territory of another NAFTA Party.
  • Translators or interpreters performing services as employees of an enterprise located in the territory of another NAFTA Party.