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 government has warned foreign content creators and social media influencers that they risk deportation if they generate income from content creation while in the country on a tourist visa, a caution issued on the eve of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In an email statement to Spanish news agency EFE on Wednesday, the US Customs and Border Protection and the Department of Homeland Security said that foreign nationals entering the country under a tourist programme and receiving income from a US source would be violating the conditions of their admission status.
“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 agency clarified that the standard B-2 tourist visa — which permits entry for leisure, vacations, family visits, or medical treatment — does not authorise paid work or the receipt of income from activities carried out on US soil.
