Getting US visa for a job meeting
up vote
31
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 Nov 13 at 8:19
Traveller
5,91911028
asked Nov 13 at 5:17
senty
26425
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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
31
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 Nov 13 at 8:19
Traveller
5,91911028
asked Nov 13 at 5:17
senty
26425
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
31
down vote
favorite
up vote
31
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 Nov 13 at 8:19
Traveller
5,91911028
asked Nov 13 at 5:17
senty
26425
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 Nov 13 at 8:19
Traveller
5,91911028
asked Nov 13 at 5:17
senty
26425
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 Nov 13 at 8:19
Traveller
5,91911028
asked Nov 13 at 5:17
senty
26425
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 Nov 13 at 8:19
Traveller
5,91911028
edited Nov 13 at 8:19
Traveller
5,91911028
edited Nov 13 at 8:19
Traveller
5,91911028
5,91911028
asked Nov 13 at 5:17
senty
26425
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 Nov 13 at 5:17
senty
26425
asked Nov 13 at 5:17
senty
26425
26425
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
59
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 Nov 13 at 5:26
Greg Hewgill
24.3k16494
Do you need to bring additional documents with you during travel?
– senty
Nov 13 at 6:22
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
Nov 13 at 7:00
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
Nov 13 at 21:52
@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
2 days 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
2 days ago
|
show 3 more comments
up vote
63
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 Nov 13 at 10:51
Chris
48113
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
Nov 13 at 14:41
31
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
Nov 13 at 14:43
9
Yes, indeed. The correct word to use in cases like this is always "business", never "work".
– Angew
Nov 14 at 10:35
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
59
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 Nov 13 at 5:26
Greg Hewgill
24.3k16494
Do you need to bring additional documents with you during travel?
– senty
Nov 13 at 6:22
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
Nov 13 at 7:00
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
Nov 13 at 21:52
@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
2 days 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
2 days ago
|
show 3 more comments
up vote
59
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 Nov 13 at 5:26
Greg Hewgill
24.3k16494
Do you need to bring additional documents with you during travel?
– senty
Nov 13 at 6:22
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
Nov 13 at 7:00
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
Nov 13 at 21:52
@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
2 days 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
2 days ago
|
show 3 more comments
up vote
59
down vote
accepted
up vote
59
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 Nov 13 at 5:26
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 Nov 13 at 5:26
Greg Hewgill
24.3k16494
answered Nov 13 at 5:26
Greg Hewgill
24.3k16494
answered Nov 13 at 5:26
Greg Hewgill
24.3k16494
answered Nov 13 at 5:26
Greg Hewgill
24.3k16494
24.3k16494
Do you need to bring additional documents with you during travel?
– senty
Nov 13 at 6:22
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
Nov 13 at 7:00
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
Nov 13 at 21:52
@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
2 days 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
2 days ago
|
show 3 more comments
Do you need to bring additional documents with you during travel?
– senty
Nov 13 at 6:22
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
Nov 13 at 7:00
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
Nov 13 at 21:52
@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
2 days 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
2 days ago
Do you need to bring additional documents with you during travel?
– senty
Nov 13 at 6:22
Do you need to bring additional documents with you during travel?
– senty
Nov 13 at 6:22
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
Nov 13 at 7:00
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
Nov 13 at 7:00
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
Nov 13 at 21:52
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
Nov 13 at 21:52
@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
2 days 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
2 days 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
2 days 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
2 days ago
|
show 3 more comments
up vote
63
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 Nov 13 at 10:51
Chris
48113
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
Nov 13 at 14:41
31
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
Nov 13 at 14:43
9
Yes, indeed. The correct word to use in cases like this is always "business", never "work".
– Angew
Nov 14 at 10:35
add a comment |
up vote
63
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 Nov 13 at 10:51
Chris
48113
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
Nov 13 at 14:41
31
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
Nov 13 at 14:43
9
Yes, indeed. The correct word to use in cases like this is always "business", never "work".
– Angew
Nov 14 at 10:35
add a comment |
up vote
63
down vote
up vote
63
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 Nov 13 at 10:51
Chris
48113
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 Nov 13 at 10:51
Chris
48113
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 Nov 13 at 10:51
Chris
48113
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 Nov 13 at 10:51
Chris
48113
answered Nov 13 at 10:51
Chris
48113
48113
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
Nov 13 at 14:41
31
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
Nov 13 at 14:43
9
Yes, indeed. The correct word to use in cases like this is always "business", never "work".
– Angew
Nov 14 at 10:35
add a comment |
1
Thanks for the heads up! I am not willing to do paid work in my visit, just the meeting
– senty
Nov 13 at 14:41
31
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
Nov 13 at 14:43
9
Yes, indeed. The correct word to use in cases like this is always "business", never "work".
– Angew
Nov 14 at 10:35
1
1
Thanks for the heads up! I am not willing to do paid work in my visit, just the meeting
– senty
Nov 13 at 14:41
Thanks for the heads up! I am not willing to do paid work in my visit, just the meeting
– senty
Nov 13 at 14:41
31
31
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
Nov 13 at 14:43
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
Nov 13 at 14:43
9
9
Yes, indeed. The correct word to use in cases like this is always "business", never "work".
– Angew
Nov 14 at 10:35
Yes, indeed. The correct word to use in cases like this is always "business", never "work".
– Angew
Nov 14 at 10:35
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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