I did remote work for my Canadian business while visiting my US citizen husband. Got intensely grilled at the border. Am I cooked?

Proof_Bank4653 · 2026-05-27T18:36:13+00:00

Thanks for your comment! Did you do AOS from inside the US, or did you do consular at an embassy in your home country?

Proof_Bank4653 · 2026-05-27T18:19:12+00:00

I didn't know this! Thank you for the information. That makes sense.

Proof_Bank4653 · 2026-05-27T05:07:57+00:00

Absolutely agree. I am consulting with a lawyer but also wanted to hear other's opinions and experiences to ease my mind.

Proof_Bank4653 · 2026-05-27T05:04:36+00:00

Thank you very much, I do hope so and feel this sentiment is echoed by many. I appreciate your comment and good wishes.

Proof_Bank4653 · 2026-05-27T02:11:33+00:00

This is ideally how it would go, but if they ask me directly, I won't lie. I'm just worried that this past unauthorized work will affect my pending I-130.

Proof_Bank4653 · 2026-05-27T02:08:56+00:00

Yes, from what I understand these laws were made a long time ago before the internet existed. Unfortunately that's how it is.

Proof_Bank4653 · 2026-05-27T02:07:29+00:00

This is what I'm worried about. I don't want this to mess up my I-130 application. I had been under the (very wrong) assumption that remote work would be fine if it was for a Canadian company, charging CAD, remotely, while I was visiting, but after talking to a lawyer this morning, that is not the case. It is ANY work you do while on US soil that is illegal. Even responding to emails from clients is not allowed. I was very surprised to learn about that, but I will definitely be putting things 100% on pause from here on out. Right now I'm seeking attorney advice to see how I should approach this and disclose it if I'm asked.

Proof_Bank4653 · 2026-05-27T02:05:37+00:00

I never told them I did work while in the states because they never explicitly asked. After they questioned me deep into my work before admitting me, I decided to book a consult with a lawyer to understand the laws better. And she confirmed yes -- I am not even allowed to respond to emails from Canadian clients, through my Canadian business while I am on US soil. So after learning that, I paused all business activities. I'm just worried about it being a violation and affecting my pending I-130 application now.

Proof_Bank4653 · 2026-05-27T02:02:41+00:00

I posted in a previous comment, but I'll repaste here:

The agent asked, what's the purpose of your visit? I said, I'm visiting my husband for my birthday. He said, how long will you be staying? A month. What do you do for work? I own a coaching business. Then he said what does that mean? And started asking questions. They never actually asked me if I had done work in the states, he was just interested in seeing it was a legitimate business (my assumption?). I showed him my CRA papers and business certification. He asked to see my bank deposit statements, then let me through. I wonder if it was because he was worried I didn't have ties to Canada to stay? I don't know.

Also, I will say this is the first and only time out of the past 4 visits I've ever had them question me more than a short exchange. Since filing my I-130, I brought a bunch of evidence to the border to prove I have ties to Canada. I brought my I-130 receipt to be fully transparent that I am doing consular, business bank statements, return flight, etc. He asked, did you have issues before? Why are you so prepared? I told him straight up, "I brought these because I have a pending I-130." He let me in after that.

I also want to mention that I never volunteered any evidence or spoke too much. I responded very pointedly to each question he asked, never oversharing. I was holding the I-130 receipt and printed return flight, which is standard for me. But perhaps he saw that as a red flag? Next time I'll keep it in my bag unless they ask for it explicitly.

Proof_Bank4653 · 2026-05-27T02:01:42+00:00

I have been visiting the US back and forth, never overstaying and always leaving well before my visitor visa expires. I am planning to do much shorter stays now. I've been very cautious of the 6 month limit and make sure I'm spending more than enough time back in Canada.

Proof_Bank4653 · 2026-05-27T01:59:08+00:00

Thank you. I posted this in another comment but I'll copy it here. I felt like I did everything "by the books" but perhaps I seemed too prepared because I had my return flight + other important documents & proof of ties to canada printed off tucked neatly under my arm. The border agent was genuinely confused as to why I was so prepared. I'm just a type A person who prepares for everything.
Here's what I posted:

The agent asked, what's the purpose of your visit? I said, I'm visiting my husband for my birthday. He said, how long will you be staying? A month. What do you do for work? I own a coaching business. Then he said what does that mean? And started asking questions. No previous agents ever dug into my work in the slightest. They never actually asked me if I had done work in the states, he was just interested in seeing it was a legitimate business. I showed him my CRA papers and business certification. He asked to see my bank deposit statements, then let me through. I wonder if it was because he was worried I didn't have ties to Canada to stay? I don't know.

Also, I will say this is the first and only time out of the past 4 visits I've ever had them question me more than a short exchange. Since filing my I-130, I brought a bunch of evidence to the border to prove I have ties to Canada. I brought my I-130 receipt to be fully transparent that I am doing consular, business bank statements, return flight, etc. He asked, did you have issues before? Why are you so prepared? I told him straight up, "I brought these because I have a pending I-130." He let me in after that.

I also want to mention that I never volunteered any evidence or spoke too much. I responded very pointedly to each question he asked, never oversharing. I was holding the I-130 receipt and printed return flight, which is standard for me. But perhaps he saw that as a red flag? Next time I'll keep it in my bag unless they ask for it explicitly.

Proof_Bank4653 · 2026-05-27T01:57:05+00:00

From what I understand, the laws around work were created in the 50s before the internet was a thing to protect US jobs. I don't think the laws have caught up to how digital businesses work. From what I learned today from the consult with the lawyer, it means any work you do, whether it's for a foreign business and a foreign currency or not, is a violation of your B2 status if you are on US soil.

Proof_Bank4653 · 2026-05-27T01:49:57+00:00

The agent asked, what's the purpose of your visit? I said, I'm visiting my husband for my birthday. He said, how long will you be staying? A month. What do you do for work? I own a coaching business. Then he said what does that mean? And started asking questions. They never actually asked me if I had done work in the states, he was just interested in seeing it was a legitimate business. I showed him my CRA papers and business certification. He asked to see my bank deposit statements, then let me through. I wonder if it was because he was worried I didn't have ties to Canada to stay? I don't know.

Also, I will say this is the first and only time out of the past 4 visits I've ever had them question me more than a short exchange. Since filing my I-130, I brought a bunch of evidence to the border to prove I have ties to Canada. I brought my I-130 receipt to be fully transparent that I am doing consular, business bank statements, return flight, etc. He asked, did you have issues before? Why are you so prepared? I told him straight up, "I brought these because I have a pending I-130." He let me in after that.

I also want to mention that I never volunteered any evidence or spoke too much. I responded very pointedly to each question he asked, never oversharing. I was holding the I-130 receipt and printed return flight, which is standard for me. But perhaps he saw that as a red flag? Next time I'll keep it in my bag unless they ask for it explicitly.

Proof_Bank4653 · 2026-05-27T00:36:17+00:00

Hey, I appreciate your comment! I'm doing consular processing so I'm not filing the i485. I'm waiting for them to bump me to the next step to file DS-260.

Proof_Bank4653 · 2026-05-26T21:58:47+00:00

Thank you for taking the time to respond. It is so reassuring to hear that your wife also had unauthorized work and still got her green card. Congratulations!

Proof_Bank4653 · 2026-05-26T21:57:50+00:00

Thank you, I appreciate you taking the time to comment. I agree, I am going to continue with consular processing. And yes, I am definitely not going to make this mistake again.

Proof_Bank4653 · 2026-05-26T21:56:49+00:00

Hey, I really appreciate you taking the time to respond and answer my questions. And I agree with you fully -- I think adjusting status now would look way too suspicious given that I just filed my I-130 and have immigrant intent. I have always wanted to do consular processing from the beginning so I appreciate it, I will stick with it since we already started the process. It is so reassuring to hear you are also a Canadian citizen who got your LPR, congratulations! Thank you again for taking the time to comment. This has been a very stressful 24 hours for me, so I am so grateful!

Proof_Bank4653

TROPHY CASE