Getting US visa for a job meeting
up vote
30
down vote
favorite
I am a self-taught software developer been working online for a while. I've been building a software for an employee in a company and getting paid through Paypal.
The company now decides to buy the product, employ me full-time (remote) however they'd like me to go for a meeting to the US.
What is the best way to get a visa for it? Should they invite me or write some kind of an invitation letter? Should I apply to it by my-self?
Some info about me:
The university I finished is completely another field (will that rise an eyebrow?)
I assume they'll cover all my expenses being there.
I am a UK citizen but haven't lived there for the past 4 years. Been traveling/working from home in Europe.
visas usa uk-citizens applications business-travel
edited 2 days ago
Traveller
5,89411027
asked 2 days ago
senty
25925
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senty is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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add a comment |
up vote
30
down vote
favorite
I am a self-taught software developer been working online for a while. I've been building a software for an employee in a company and getting paid through Paypal.
The company now decides to buy the product, employ me full-time (remote) however they'd like me to go for a meeting to the US.
What is the best way to get a visa for it? Should they invite me or write some kind of an invitation letter? Should I apply to it by my-self?
Some info about me:
The university I finished is completely another field (will that rise an eyebrow?)
I assume they'll cover all my expenses being there.
I am a UK citizen but haven't lived there for the past 4 years. Been traveling/working from home in Europe.
visas usa uk-citizens applications business-travel
edited 2 days ago
Traveller
5,89411027
asked 2 days ago
senty
25925
New contributor
senty is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
up vote
30
down vote
favorite
up vote
30
down vote
favorite
I am a self-taught software developer been working online for a while. I've been building a software for an employee in a company and getting paid through Paypal.
The company now decides to buy the product, employ me full-time (remote) however they'd like me to go for a meeting to the US.
What is the best way to get a visa for it? Should they invite me or write some kind of an invitation letter? Should I apply to it by my-self?
Some info about me:
The university I finished is completely another field (will that rise an eyebrow?)
I assume they'll cover all my expenses being there.
I am a UK citizen but haven't lived there for the past 4 years. Been traveling/working from home in Europe.
visas usa uk-citizens applications business-travel
edited 2 days ago
Traveller
5,89411027
asked 2 days ago
senty
25925
New contributor
senty is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
I am a self-taught software developer been working online for a while. I've been building a software for an employee in a company and getting paid through Paypal.
The company now decides to buy the product, employ me full-time (remote) however they'd like me to go for a meeting to the US.
What is the best way to get a visa for it? Should they invite me or write some kind of an invitation letter? Should I apply to it by my-self?
Some info about me:
The university I finished is completely another field (will that rise an eyebrow?)
I assume they'll cover all my expenses being there.
I am a UK citizen but haven't lived there for the past 4 years. Been traveling/working from home in Europe.
visas usa uk-citizens applications business-travel
visas usa uk-citizens applications business-travel
edited 2 days ago
Traveller
5,89411027
asked 2 days ago
senty
25925
New contributor
senty is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 2 days ago
Traveller
5,89411027
asked 2 days ago
senty
25925
New contributor
senty is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 2 days ago
Traveller
5,89411027
edited 2 days ago
Traveller
5,89411027
edited 2 days ago
Traveller
5,89411027
5,89411027
asked 2 days ago
senty
25925
New contributor
senty is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 2 days ago
senty
25925
asked 2 days ago
senty
25925
25925
New contributor
senty is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
senty is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
senty is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
up vote
58
down vote
accepted
As a UK citizen, you are eligible for Visa Waiver Program entry:
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables most citizens or nationals of participating countries* to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa.
The permitted activities include:
Business:
- consult with business associates
All you need to do is apply for an ESTA, book your tickets, and go. No invitation letter or other documentation is necessary.
answered 2 days ago
Greg Hewgill
24.3k16494
Do you need to bring additional documents with you during travel?
– senty
2 days ago
26
Nothing. It's dead easy. You state the words "I'm going for a meeting". It is absolutely permitted to go for a meeting!
– Fattie
2 days ago
9
One small clarification: you might get freaked out by some wording in the VWP that you cannot "seek work in the US". Don't be. That crappy piece of writing is meant to say that you cannot perform paid work in the USA without the appropriate visa (nor seek to do so). You CAN try to get people to hire you legally in the US -- that's totally a valid use of the visa waiver.
– Mark_Anderson
yesterday
@Mark_Anderson I don't understand this: I cannot seek work, but I can try to get people to hire me? What's the difference?
– Fabio Turati
4 hours ago
@FabioTurati It's the difference between being getting a job in the US (not allowed) and getting a job for a US company that will be done in your home country (allowed). Attending meetings is not seen as work by immigration.
– Dan Neely
4 hours ago
|
show 2 more comments
up vote
62
down vote
Greg Hewgill's answer is correct, but one caveat: do not talk to the immigration officer about doing any work in the US. A series of business meetings is fine, but the VWP does not allow you to work in the US for money. It is fine to bring your laptop to take notes on at the meeting or to show the immigration officer the work that you are doing (in Europe), but legally you are not allowed to (for example) code for an hourly wage between meetings or in the evenings in your hotel. If you mention you plan to work while in the US, you may be denied entry and possibly will become ineligible for the VWP in the future.
answered 2 days ago
Chris
47113
New contributor
Chris is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
1
Thanks for the heads up! I am not willing to do paid work in my visit, just the meeting
– senty
2 days ago
30
Let's double-emphasise this answer since one has come up of a similar nature before - the phrasing is important and the word 'work' as in "I am here with work" is likely to cause you trouble even if your intent is obvious.
– Tom W
2 days ago
8
Yes, indeed. The correct word to use in cases like this is always "business", never "work".
– Angew
yesterday
1
that's all totally correct !
– Fattie
yesterday
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
58
down vote
accepted
As a UK citizen, you are eligible for Visa Waiver Program entry:
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables most citizens or nationals of participating countries* to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa.
The permitted activities include:
Business:
- consult with business associates
All you need to do is apply for an ESTA, book your tickets, and go. No invitation letter or other documentation is necessary.
answered 2 days ago
Greg Hewgill
24.3k16494
Do you need to bring additional documents with you during travel?
– senty
2 days ago
26
Nothing. It's dead easy. You state the words "I'm going for a meeting". It is absolutely permitted to go for a meeting!
– Fattie
2 days ago
9
One small clarification: you might get freaked out by some wording in the VWP that you cannot "seek work in the US". Don't be. That crappy piece of writing is meant to say that you cannot perform paid work in the USA without the appropriate visa (nor seek to do so). You CAN try to get people to hire you legally in the US -- that's totally a valid use of the visa waiver.
– Mark_Anderson
yesterday
@Mark_Anderson I don't understand this: I cannot seek work, but I can try to get people to hire me? What's the difference?
– Fabio Turati
4 hours ago
@FabioTurati It's the difference between being getting a job in the US (not allowed) and getting a job for a US company that will be done in your home country (allowed). Attending meetings is not seen as work by immigration.
– Dan Neely
4 hours ago
|
show 2 more comments
up vote
58
down vote
accepted
As a UK citizen, you are eligible for Visa Waiver Program entry:
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables most citizens or nationals of participating countries* to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa.
The permitted activities include:
Business:
- consult with business associates
All you need to do is apply for an ESTA, book your tickets, and go. No invitation letter or other documentation is necessary.
answered 2 days ago
Greg Hewgill
24.3k16494
Do you need to bring additional documents with you during travel?
– senty
2 days ago
26
Nothing. It's dead easy. You state the words "I'm going for a meeting". It is absolutely permitted to go for a meeting!
– Fattie
2 days ago
9
One small clarification: you might get freaked out by some wording in the VWP that you cannot "seek work in the US". Don't be. That crappy piece of writing is meant to say that you cannot perform paid work in the USA without the appropriate visa (nor seek to do so). You CAN try to get people to hire you legally in the US -- that's totally a valid use of the visa waiver.
– Mark_Anderson
yesterday
@Mark_Anderson I don't understand this: I cannot seek work, but I can try to get people to hire me? What's the difference?
– Fabio Turati
4 hours ago
@FabioTurati It's the difference between being getting a job in the US (not allowed) and getting a job for a US company that will be done in your home country (allowed). Attending meetings is not seen as work by immigration.
– Dan Neely
4 hours ago
|
show 2 more comments
up vote
58
down vote
accepted
up vote
58
down vote
accepted
As a UK citizen, you are eligible for Visa Waiver Program entry:
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables most citizens or nationals of participating countries* to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa.
The permitted activities include:
Business:
- consult with business associates
All you need to do is apply for an ESTA, book your tickets, and go. No invitation letter or other documentation is necessary.
answered 2 days ago
Greg Hewgill
24.3k16494
As a UK citizen, you are eligible for Visa Waiver Program entry:
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables most citizens or nationals of participating countries* to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa.
The permitted activities include:
Business:
- consult with business associates
All you need to do is apply for an ESTA, book your tickets, and go. No invitation letter or other documentation is necessary.
answered 2 days ago
Greg Hewgill
24.3k16494
answered 2 days ago
Greg Hewgill
24.3k16494
answered 2 days ago
Greg Hewgill
24.3k16494
answered 2 days ago
Greg Hewgill
24.3k16494
24.3k16494
Do you need to bring additional documents with you during travel?
– senty
2 days ago
26
Nothing. It's dead easy. You state the words "I'm going for a meeting". It is absolutely permitted to go for a meeting!
– Fattie
2 days ago
9
One small clarification: you might get freaked out by some wording in the VWP that you cannot "seek work in the US". Don't be. That crappy piece of writing is meant to say that you cannot perform paid work in the USA without the appropriate visa (nor seek to do so). You CAN try to get people to hire you legally in the US -- that's totally a valid use of the visa waiver.
– Mark_Anderson
yesterday
@Mark_Anderson I don't understand this: I cannot seek work, but I can try to get people to hire me? What's the difference?
– Fabio Turati
4 hours ago
@FabioTurati It's the difference between being getting a job in the US (not allowed) and getting a job for a US company that will be done in your home country (allowed). Attending meetings is not seen as work by immigration.
– Dan Neely
4 hours ago
|
show 2 more comments
Do you need to bring additional documents with you during travel?
– senty
2 days ago
26
Nothing. It's dead easy. You state the words "I'm going for a meeting". It is absolutely permitted to go for a meeting!
– Fattie
2 days ago
9
One small clarification: you might get freaked out by some wording in the VWP that you cannot "seek work in the US". Don't be. That crappy piece of writing is meant to say that you cannot perform paid work in the USA without the appropriate visa (nor seek to do so). You CAN try to get people to hire you legally in the US -- that's totally a valid use of the visa waiver.
– Mark_Anderson
yesterday
@Mark_Anderson I don't understand this: I cannot seek work, but I can try to get people to hire me? What's the difference?
– Fabio Turati
4 hours ago
@FabioTurati It's the difference between being getting a job in the US (not allowed) and getting a job for a US company that will be done in your home country (allowed). Attending meetings is not seen as work by immigration.
– Dan Neely
4 hours ago
Do you need to bring additional documents with you during travel?
– senty
2 days ago
Do you need to bring additional documents with you during travel?
– senty
2 days ago
26
26
Nothing. It's dead easy. You state the words "I'm going for a meeting". It is absolutely permitted to go for a meeting!
– Fattie
2 days ago
Nothing. It's dead easy. You state the words "I'm going for a meeting". It is absolutely permitted to go for a meeting!
– Fattie
2 days ago
9
9
One small clarification: you might get freaked out by some wording in the VWP that you cannot "seek work in the US". Don't be. That crappy piece of writing is meant to say that you cannot perform paid work in the USA without the appropriate visa (nor seek to do so). You CAN try to get people to hire you legally in the US -- that's totally a valid use of the visa waiver.
– Mark_Anderson
yesterday
One small clarification: you might get freaked out by some wording in the VWP that you cannot "seek work in the US". Don't be. That crappy piece of writing is meant to say that you cannot perform paid work in the USA without the appropriate visa (nor seek to do so). You CAN try to get people to hire you legally in the US -- that's totally a valid use of the visa waiver.
– Mark_Anderson
yesterday
@Mark_Anderson I don't understand this: I cannot seek work, but I can try to get people to hire me? What's the difference?
– Fabio Turati
4 hours ago
@Mark_Anderson I don't understand this: I cannot seek work, but I can try to get people to hire me? What's the difference?
– Fabio Turati
4 hours ago
@FabioTurati It's the difference between being getting a job in the US (not allowed) and getting a job for a US company that will be done in your home country (allowed). Attending meetings is not seen as work by immigration.
– Dan Neely
4 hours ago
@FabioTurati It's the difference between being getting a job in the US (not allowed) and getting a job for a US company that will be done in your home country (allowed). Attending meetings is not seen as work by immigration.
– Dan Neely
4 hours ago
|
show 2 more comments
up vote
62
down vote
Greg Hewgill's answer is correct, but one caveat: do not talk to the immigration officer about doing any work in the US. A series of business meetings is fine, but the VWP does not allow you to work in the US for money. It is fine to bring your laptop to take notes on at the meeting or to show the immigration officer the work that you are doing (in Europe), but legally you are not allowed to (for example) code for an hourly wage between meetings or in the evenings in your hotel. If you mention you plan to work while in the US, you may be denied entry and possibly will become ineligible for the VWP in the future.
answered 2 days ago
Chris
47113
New contributor
Chris is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
1
Thanks for the heads up! I am not willing to do paid work in my visit, just the meeting
– senty
2 days ago
30
Let's double-emphasise this answer since one has come up of a similar nature before - the phrasing is important and the word 'work' as in "I am here with work" is likely to cause you trouble even if your intent is obvious.
– Tom W
2 days ago
8
Yes, indeed. The correct word to use in cases like this is always "business", never "work".
– Angew
yesterday
1
that's all totally correct !
– Fattie
yesterday
add a comment |
up vote
62
down vote
Greg Hewgill's answer is correct, but one caveat: do not talk to the immigration officer about doing any work in the US. A series of business meetings is fine, but the VWP does not allow you to work in the US for money. It is fine to bring your laptop to take notes on at the meeting or to show the immigration officer the work that you are doing (in Europe), but legally you are not allowed to (for example) code for an hourly wage between meetings or in the evenings in your hotel. If you mention you plan to work while in the US, you may be denied entry and possibly will become ineligible for the VWP in the future.
answered 2 days ago
Chris
47113
New contributor
Chris is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
1
Thanks for the heads up! I am not willing to do paid work in my visit, just the meeting
– senty
2 days ago
30
Let's double-emphasise this answer since one has come up of a similar nature before - the phrasing is important and the word 'work' as in "I am here with work" is likely to cause you trouble even if your intent is obvious.
– Tom W
2 days ago
8
Yes, indeed. The correct word to use in cases like this is always "business", never "work".
– Angew
yesterday
1
that's all totally correct !
– Fattie
yesterday
add a comment |
up vote
62
down vote
up vote
62
down vote
Greg Hewgill's answer is correct, but one caveat: do not talk to the immigration officer about doing any work in the US. A series of business meetings is fine, but the VWP does not allow you to work in the US for money. It is fine to bring your laptop to take notes on at the meeting or to show the immigration officer the work that you are doing (in Europe), but legally you are not allowed to (for example) code for an hourly wage between meetings or in the evenings in your hotel. If you mention you plan to work while in the US, you may be denied entry and possibly will become ineligible for the VWP in the future.
answered 2 days ago
Chris
47113
New contributor
Chris is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Greg Hewgill's answer is correct, but one caveat: do not talk to the immigration officer about doing any work in the US. A series of business meetings is fine, but the VWP does not allow you to work in the US for money. It is fine to bring your laptop to take notes on at the meeting or to show the immigration officer the work that you are doing (in Europe), but legally you are not allowed to (for example) code for an hourly wage between meetings or in the evenings in your hotel. If you mention you plan to work while in the US, you may be denied entry and possibly will become ineligible for the VWP in the future.
answered 2 days ago
Chris
47113
New contributor
Chris is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 2 days ago
Chris
47113
New contributor
Chris is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 2 days ago
Chris
47113
answered 2 days ago
Chris
47113
47113
New contributor
Chris is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Chris is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Chris is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
1
Thanks for the heads up! I am not willing to do paid work in my visit, just the meeting
– senty
2 days ago
30
Let's double-emphasise this answer since one has come up of a similar nature before - the phrasing is important and the word 'work' as in "I am here with work" is likely to cause you trouble even if your intent is obvious.
– Tom W
2 days ago
8
Yes, indeed. The correct word to use in cases like this is always "business", never "work".
– Angew
yesterday
1
that's all totally correct !
– Fattie
yesterday
add a comment |
1
Thanks for the heads up! I am not willing to do paid work in my visit, just the meeting
– senty
2 days ago
30
Let's double-emphasise this answer since one has come up of a similar nature before - the phrasing is important and the word 'work' as in "I am here with work" is likely to cause you trouble even if your intent is obvious.
– Tom W
2 days ago
8
Yes, indeed. The correct word to use in cases like this is always "business", never "work".
– Angew
yesterday
1
that's all totally correct !
– Fattie
yesterday
1
1
Thanks for the heads up! I am not willing to do paid work in my visit, just the meeting
– senty
2 days ago
Thanks for the heads up! I am not willing to do paid work in my visit, just the meeting
– senty
2 days ago
30
30
Let's double-emphasise this answer since one has come up of a similar nature before - the phrasing is important and the word 'work' as in "I am here with work" is likely to cause you trouble even if your intent is obvious.
– Tom W
2 days ago
Let's double-emphasise this answer since one has come up of a similar nature before - the phrasing is important and the word 'work' as in "I am here with work" is likely to cause you trouble even if your intent is obvious.
– Tom W
2 days ago
8
8
Yes, indeed. The correct word to use in cases like this is always "business", never "work".
– Angew
yesterday
Yes, indeed. The correct word to use in cases like this is always "business", never "work".
– Angew
yesterday
1
1
that's all totally correct !
– Fattie
yesterday
that's all totally correct !
– Fattie
yesterday
add a comment |
senty is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
senty is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
senty is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
senty is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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