Can I legally work while applying for political asylum with a U.S. tourist visa?

No, you are not allowed to work on a tourist visa. If you are found to be working illegally, you will be sent back to your country directly. You can only work in the United States with an H work visa.

H visa: issued to applicants who come to the United States to work for a short period of time. There is no visa fee for this visa.

There are three types of H visa***: H1 special skills work visa, H2 temporary work visa, and H3 training visa.

H1 visa:

If a U.S. company needs to hire foreigners with special skills to work in the United States for a short period of time, the company must apply to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for Form I-129 for the employee, that is, Work Authorization Application for Non-Immigrant Visa Holders. Once the job application is approved by the USCIS, the U.S. Consulate will contact the applicant to schedule an interview. Applicants can call to make an appointment for an interview. Materials that must be provided during the interview:

1. Original Form I-797.

2. An invitation letter from a U.S. company and documents regarding your education and work experience.

3. A copy of Form I-129 notarized and stamped by a lawyer.

H2 visa:

If a U.S. company needs to hire foreigners with special skills to work in the United States for a short period of time, the company must apply to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for Form I-129 for the employee, that is, Work Authorization Application for Non-Immigrant Visa Holders. Once the job application is approved by the USCIS, the U.S. Consulate will contact the applicant to schedule an interview. Applicants can call to make an appointment for an interview. Materials that must be provided during the interview:

1. Original Form I-797.

2. An invitation letter from a U.S. company and documents regarding your education and work experience.

3. A copy of Form I-129 notarized and stamped by a lawyer.

Note that applying for an H2B visa requires a temporary labor certificate signed by the U.S. Secretary of Labor.

H3 Visa

If you plan to apply for H-3 to go to the United States to receive training in agriculture, commerce, communications, finance, transportation industry or government departments, your U.S. company must immigrate to the United States Apply to the bureau for Form I-129. Once the job application is approved by the Immigration Bureau, the U.S. Consulate will contact the applicant to make an appointment for an interview. Applicants can call to make an appointment for an interview.