The United States government has issued a warning to foreign content creators and social media influencers, stating that they could face deportation if they generate income from content creation while visiting the country on a tourist visa. The advisory comes ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

In an email statement to the Spanish news agency EFE on Wednesday, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) explained that foreign nationals entering the country under a tourist visa and earning income from U.S.-based sources would be in violation of their immigration status.

Officials stressed that entering the country primarily for content creation—especially when it involves monetisation—would be considered work activity, which requires the appropriate 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,” the statement said.

Authorities further clarified that the standard B-2 tourist visa is strictly for leisure, tourism, family visits, or medical reasons, and does not permit paid employment or earning income within the United States.

They added that overstaying or violating visa conditions could lead to cancellation of the visa, deportation, and future travel restrictions.

The warning applies specifically to influencers who monetise content on platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. The CBP also noted that working with media organisations while on a tourist visa is not allowed under the same regulations.

Immigration lawyer Alex Galvez, speaking to EFE, said violators risk losing their tourist visas entirely, though he noted that legal challenges may be possible in cases where accounts are registered abroad and payments are received outside the United States.

The advisory comes as the United States, alongside Mexico and Canada, prepares to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, expected to draw large numbers of independent content creators covering the tournament.

The immigration debate has also extended beyond influencers, with the International Sports Press Association recently raising concerns over visa restrictions affecting some of its members.

In a related development, the U.S. also reportedly denied entry to Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan ahead of the tournament.

Enforcement actions have drawn attention in recent years. In June 2025, Senegalese-Italian TikToker Khaby Lame—one of the platform’s most-followed creators—was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at Las Vegas airport and later self-deported after an alleged visa overstay.

ICE is also expected to support security operations at World Cup venues, in line with the broader immigration enforcement approach of the U.S. government.