The U.S. Homeland Security warned creators ahead of the FIFA World Cup.
The U.S., Mexico, and Canada are collectively hosting the FIFA World Cup this month, welcoming millions of fans from around the world. However, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a warning to influencers entering the U.S.—you are not allowed to create content and post it on social media for the purpose of making money if you have entered the country on a tourist visa. Amid unfriendly immigration policies in the U.S. that have made headlines, this is another blow to fans.
Related: Lawyers Warn: You Can Be Deported if You Do This on a Tourist Visa
Influencers are generally not policed for traveling and monetizing content. This is a lucrative way for creators to make money. However, those traveling for the FIFA World Cup need to be cautious because the DHS and Customs and Border Protection said in a joint statement to EL PAÍS that generating earnings from the U.S. requires a work visa. “People who enter the United States under a visitor program and receive income from a U.S. source would be violating the conditions of their admission status.”
The U.S. tourist visa permits travelers to participate in social events, but any sort of employment is illegal. This also includes instances of work where no money exchanges hands—for example, housesitting or petsitting. Travelers have been deported for failing to follow these rules, and the U.S. government is sending the same warning to content creators.
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A government source revealed that the country is tightening border inspections at airports and crossings with Mexico to deter Mexican influencers and those from other countries who may use their tourist visa to generate income. This is being done to “protect American jobs.”
Their videos give them away, the source said, pointing out that influencers share videos of obtaining visas from U.S. embassies and then film content in the U.S. Disregarding visa rules can result in deportation, visa cancellation, and future bans from the U.S.
It is not known how or if creators are being turned away or deported, but this does put a damper on the deal between FIFA and TikTok. The football association has collaborated with the social media platform to reach a younger audience worldwide, giving behind-the-scenes access to global creators in exchange for posts.
Digital creators can apply for another visa, called the O-1 visa, for those with extraordinary ability or achievements in science, arts, business, or education. In recent years, influencers have been successful in getting O-1 visas based on their follower and subscriber counts.
Immigration Barriers
Meanwhile, fans, athletes, and even referees face increased scrutiny at borders when entering the U.S. for the World Cup. A Somali referee was denied entry when he arrived at Miami International Airport. The Iranian team faced uncertainty for weeks before getting approval to enter the U.S., but visa applications for their staff members were rejected. The team moved its base to Mexico to avoid immigration problems in the U.S.
Days before travel, Scottish fans found their ESTA applications rejected at the last minute. The U.S. has also restricted entry of fans who are on the list of banned countries, and even those who are not from restricted countries are facing rejections. The visa process has become more complicated and expensive for those who are not exempt, adding to the overall chaos for fans.