I've been so confused about whether I need to apply for the VISA holding the Portuguese passport. The Portuguese Consulate told me that I did NOT need to apply for the J-1 VIsa. i have JUST found out about that In the interest of facilitating travel, the Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection Bureau (CBP) has given officials at ports of entry the discretionary authority to grant one-time exemptions on a case-by-case basis to certain VWP travelers without a visa or MRP, who are nationals of twenty-two (22) of twenty-seven (27) VWP countries. Portuguese is one of the VIsa Waiver Participating countries. UK is another. I wonder why UKer have to apply for J-1 Visa. I have been so confused about it. My dad has been arguging with me that I do NOT need to apply for J-1 VISa. Can anyone help me about? http://hongkong.usconsulate.gov/consular/niv/vwp.htm http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/without/without_1990.html#3
Well it says: The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables citizens of certain countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for 90 days or less without obtaining a visa. And doesn't working at Disney count as business? But it also says for 90 days or less, and you're working there for 3 months, which will be at the most 92 days (june, july, august or july, august, september) and at least 89 days (3 consecutive months including february) So I'm not sure...
I do NOT know whether the Disney Programme counts as Business or not. If NOT, I have to APPLY for the J-1 Visa. I will stay in FLorida from 6th june-26th Augues [ not more than 88 days]
Well, what I would do, was to call the American embassy and ask them, they know everything about that stuff...
hello what they mean with that I think is that you can't enter the US 30 days BEFORE your program official start date (6th june). So unless your planning to leave tomorrow you don't have to worry. What do they state about leaving? Do you get 30 days after the finishing date of the program? Since I'd like to travel a bit after the end of the program I'd like to have at leat 3 weeks of time to go around the us.....
Hey Nam, Thanks for REMINDING me it. Yes. yOU are RIGHT!!!! That means I cannOT go to the USA before the STARTS of the programme. that 's 6th JUne. Thanks for reminding me about it. sigh~~~ I was TOO careless THe tickets stuff have been SOOO complicated [ price, change flights....]
I'd LOVE to visit other places at the end of the programme. I wanna see if OTHER participants wanna do so. Maybe I can go with them together
yeah, that would be fun! have u been to US before?....for me it would be the first time ever....it's funny 'coz people tell me I have an american accent even if I never put a foot on american soil (learnt english watching hundreds of vcds movies while going to Uni in Beijing - winter there is sooo long ) Lol - there's no biz like show biz ;D
In response to your Q, I have NEVEr been to the USA. I"m looking forward to my trip. I speak both British ENglsih and American English. I was taught Brit. English. As as you , I have learned the Amercian Eng. watching Hollywood films YOu have studied in Beijing? When did you study there? Which univeristy?
Sorry to contradict what other people have said on here, but if you're working in the US (ie with Disney) then you defnitely need a visa, regardless of whether you have a portugese passport. The VWP only allows you to travel on pleasure or business (business would be things like attending a meeting or convention) for up to 90 days. To work anywhere you need a valid work visa (probably a J-1) and then when you arrive you will have to get a social security number. No-one can legally work in the US without this as this is related to paying taxes. You best option is to contact Disney recruiting office directly or the International Programme Office which is located at Epcot. There is a number on their website. But I would say with 100% certainty that you will not be able to work in the US on the VWP regardless of how long you're going to be in the country. Rich
Hello Rich, Thanks a MILLIOn for CLARIFYINg all my MISunderstandings. YOur EXPlanation is VERY Clear. Thanks for giving me the definition of Business( business would be things like attending a meeting or convention) . I had a quarell with my dad about it. He argued that I did NOT need to apply for the J-1 VIsa as my passport is the Machine readable one
