Work Experience - US Visa Requirements
Mar 22, 2015 | 12:55 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: UK
Posts: 404
Work Experience - US Visa Requirements
Hi All,
Returning to FT after a sabbatical
Not really sure where to post this, but this seems to be as good a place as any.
I'm currently studying law and have managed to secure a fantastic work experience opportunity over in the US (TX) this summer. Do I need a different Visa to be able to do this? I haven't been able to find a definitive answer. I already have a valid ESTA and as far as far as I'm aware, it's unpaid (not sure if this is relevant?).
Thanks in advance for your advice!
Returning to FT after a sabbatical
Not really sure where to post this, but this seems to be as good a place as any.I'm currently studying law and have managed to secure a fantastic work experience opportunity over in the US (TX) this summer. Do I need a different Visa to be able to do this? I haven't been able to find a definitive answer. I already have a valid ESTA and as far as far as I'm aware, it's unpaid (not sure if this is relevant?).
Thanks in advance for your advice!
Mar 22, 2015 | 1:06 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 360
Studying law usually indicates a preciseness in language [edited by Moderator.]. You ask about a different type of visa which suggests that you already hold a visa and you then go on to say that you have an ESTA which is not a visa and indicates that you are using the VWP. Which is it? What is your citizenship? It is highly improbable that you will be able to follow your plan Non payment is irrelevant. You need authorization to work which based on the very limited information you have provided is unlikely to be forthcoming.
Last edited by Ocn Vw 1K; Mar 22, 2015 at 7:35 pm Reason: Ensuring that posts discuss the topic, not the poster, per FT Rule 12.
Mar 22, 2015 | 1:13 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: UK
Posts: 404
Studying law usually indicates a preciseness in language [conforming moderator edit]. You ask about a different type of visa which suggests that you already hold a visa and you then go on to say that you have an ESTA which is not a visa and indicates that you are using the VWP. Which is it? What is your citizenship? It is highly improbable that you will be able to follow your plan Non payment is irrelevant. You need authorization to work which based on the very limited information you have provided is unlikely to be forthcoming.
I'm a British citizen and have an ESTA, which as you say, falls into the visa waiver programme. The offer I have is to shadow within a legal firm in Texas, which is a fantastic opportunity, and one that I would like to take advantage of provided that it is possible.
Last edited by Ocn Vw 1K; Mar 22, 2015 at 7:36 pm Reason: See note above.
Mar 22, 2015 | 1:28 pm
#4
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Obwalden, CH
Programs: FB LT Plat, BA LTG, LH HON
Posts: 298
Studying law usually indicates a preciseness in language that your post does not really display. You ask about a different type of visa which suggests that you already hold a visa and you then go on to say that you have an ESTA which is not a visa and indicates that you are using the VWP. Which is it? What is your citizenship? It is highly improbable that you will be able to follow your plan Non payment is irrelevant. You need authorization to work which based on the very limited information you have provided is unlikely to be forthcoming.
Slightly more helpfully.... My nephew, a UK citizen, undertook a three month internship in Chicago. He required a letter of invitation from the firm and evidence he was returning to the UK ( a letter from his university was sufficient). He needed a visa, ESTA wasn't enough. but the process was relatively painless involving submitting the form and having an "interview" at the US Embassy where they talked through the form. I think it cost around 100.
Last edited by Ocn Vw 1K; Mar 22, 2015 at 7:30 pm Reason: See note above.
Mar 22, 2015 | 2:13 pm
#5
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 360
[Conforming moderator edit to original post.]
Slightly more helpfully.... My nephew, a UK citizen, undertook a three month internship in Chicago. He required a letter of invitation from the firm and evidence he was returning to the UK ( a letter from his university was sufficient). He needed a visa, ESTA wasn't enough. but the process was relatively painless involving submitting the form and having an "interview" at the US Embassy where they talked through the form. I think it cost around 100.
Slightly more helpfully.... My nephew, a UK citizen, undertook a three month internship in Chicago. He required a letter of invitation from the firm and evidence he was returning to the UK ( a letter from his university was sufficient). He needed a visa, ESTA wasn't enough. but the process was relatively painless involving submitting the form and having an "interview" at the US Embassy where they talked through the form. I think it cost around 100.
[Unduly personalized text edited by Moderator per FT Rule 12.]
ESTA is NOT a visa just as a law student is not a lawyer in the accepted sense. Preciseness in framing a question correctly is essential in visa issues or you likely to get the wrong answer.
Your nephews story which may be warm and fuzzy is not really more helpful to the OP as it purely anecdotal and you have no way of knowing the OP;s full situation.
For the OP it would be difficult (but not impossible) to obtain a J1 visa, assuming all of the conditions are met, in time for an internship this summer given the current processing times in London. Have you actually obtained a DS-2019 yet?
Last edited by Ocn Vw 1K; Mar 22, 2015 at 7:29 pm Reason: FT Rule 12.
Mar 22, 2015 | 4:36 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: UK
Posts: 404
Got a thing about lawyers, do we? This is a question on an IBB not a submission to the Supreme Court.
Slightly more helpfully.... My nephew, a UK citizen, undertook a three month internship in Chicago. He required a letter of invitation from the firm and evidence he was returning to the UK ( a letter from his university was sufficient). He needed a visa, ESTA wasn't enough. but the process was relatively painless involving submitting the form and having an "interview" at the US Embassy where they talked through the form. I think it cost around 100.
Slightly more helpfully.... My nephew, a UK citizen, undertook a three month internship in Chicago. He required a letter of invitation from the firm and evidence he was returning to the UK ( a letter from his university was sufficient). He needed a visa, ESTA wasn't enough. but the process was relatively painless involving submitting the form and having an "interview" at the US Embassy where they talked through the form. I think it cost around 100.
I've done just that and am awaiting their response. I thought it may be worthwhile to ask here too, though given the apparent complexity of this, the law firm is definitely the best option.
Mar 22, 2015 | 4:45 pm
#8
Moderator: Information Desk, Women Travelers, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 16,214
I wouldn't be so sure. Just because they're a law firm doesn't mean they practice immigration law, and just as you wouldn't go to a cardiologist for a broken leg, you wouldn't expect a family or IP or real estate or bankruptcy or personal injury or tax lawyer to have any clue as to the answer unless they regularly bring in interns from other countries.
Mar 22, 2015 | 6:08 pm
#9
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2012
Programs: A3, AA. Plasticy things! That give me, y'know, Stuff!
Posts: 6,293
Last edited by Ocn Vw 1K; Mar 22, 2015 at 7:39 pm Reason: see note above.
Mar 22, 2015 | 6:54 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Bangkok or San Francisco
Programs: United 1k, Marriott Lifetime PE, Former DL Gold, Former SQ Solitaire, HH Gold
Posts: 11,889
Mar 23, 2015 | 2:14 am
#11
Moderator: Manufactured Spending
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,708
Ok, let's try that again.
I'm a British citizen and have an ESTA, which as you say, falls into the visa waiver programme. The offer I have is to shadow within a legal firm in Texas, which is a fantastic opportunity, and one that I would like to take advantage of provided that it is possible.
I'm a British citizen and have an ESTA, which as you say, falls into the visa waiver programme. The offer I have is to shadow within a legal firm in Texas, which is a fantastic opportunity, and one that I would like to take advantage of provided that it is possible.