See the last two week’s entries for an introduction to the topic of support on a B visa and for some possible avenues for stretching your resources while you are here on in B status.

Here is my final entry on this topic.

B-1s can sometimes receive stipends.  This might be allowable on certain business type B-1 situations where the B-1 is here to learn a skill or for some business purpose, and he is given a stipend to support him while he is here.   M-ssionaries are specifically allowed a stipend or expense allowance/reimbursement for the costs of living here.   Note this should come from the organization that they are a m-ssionary for.  This is not an excuse to fundraise.  Also, it is to cover costs — it should be just enough for expenses; it is not meant to be a source of income.   I would be extremely uncomfortable with a B-2 receiving money in this manner.   There is nothing like this in the B-2 regulations.

There is another option as well — but this is one where you need to be careful.   I have known of situation where a church has provided housing and food and, perhaps, money to people here on a B-2 or a similar status.   You need to remember that a B-2 (or a B-1 for that matter) is not allowed to seek or accept donations.   But, there is nothing forbidding them from receiving gifts.   But, if they are also volunteering for that church they need to be careful that the gifts really are gifts and not payment in disguise.

Well, in closing, you may say that that was a lot of non-clarity.  The truth is, there are few clear rules here.   But there is some guidance, and, we also rely on experience to give us a guide as to what is acceptable.  In the final analysis,  the people at the border or the people at the USCIS adjudicating an application are the people who really determine what is allowed and what is not — and what they decide is usually based more on their attitude at that specific moment than it is on any clear-cut rules.   So, all we can do is make careful and wise choices and pray.

I hope this is interesting and helpful.   Remember that this is not legal advice.  It is just a summary of certain aspects of immigration law which may or may not apply to your situation.   I encourage you to consulate an attorney if you think any of this may apply to your situation.