11.6.2026
The United States government has warned foreign content creators and social media influencers that using World Cup content to generate income while in the country on a tourist visa could get them deported.
The warning was issued ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In an email statement to Spanish news agency EFE, US Customs and Border Protection and the Department of Homeland Security said foreign nationals who enter under a tourist programme and receive income from a US source violate their admission terms.
The agencies said creating content as the sole purpose of the visit and earning income from US sources is considered work, that activity requires the appropriate work visa.
“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.
CBP stated that the B-2 tourist visa covers leisure, vacations, family visits, or medical treatment and does not permit paid work or income from activities performed on US soil.
Visa holders also cannot stay beyond the period granted at entry and breaching these conditions can trigger immediate visa cancellation, deportation, and future travel bans.
The rule applies to creators monetising content on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. Agency reports