Can I hire independent contractors on a visitors visa ?

Question by Dean: Can I hire independent contractors on a visitors visa ?
Hi everyone !

I am a film-maker based in the United Kingdom and am looking into the possibility of shooting a project in the USA.

I am wondering if I would be able to hire independent contractors ( actors/crew ) while on a visitors visa ?

This would not be employment per-se as it would just be fulfilling the terms of a contract agreement ( in some ways similar to hiring a master plumber to work on a USA property ).

I have found no Visa that caters to the hiring of actors/crew short term if I am not myself being employed by a USA company.

I can not imagine that the USA government would not want potential revenue entering their country, but the Visa categories available P1-3, O and H1-B/H2-B do not seem to cover filming a self financed project in the United States.

Again I would be taking no money out of the USA economy and would just be using the services available in my production.

Would this be acceptable behaviour under a visa waiver, as I would be there for a maximum of three weeks, would receive no funds from USA employers and would just be putting money into the economy…basically not much more elaborate than a conventional tourist owning a US home.

Thanks for any help/advise you can give me, I will be seeking legal council, but I thought I would see if anybody has any general information.

Best answer:

Answer by thinkingtime
You cannot work on a tourist visa.

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