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Do I need a visa travelling to the US as a teacher on a school trip?

  • 27-01-2017 10:40am
    #1
    ProfanityURL
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 136 ✭✭


    I'm a teacher and planning to travel to the US from Dubai in a couple of weeks with a school trip. The students have all had to get visas but I've been told that because Ireland is visa exempt I can get away with an ESTA travel authorization. The purpose of the trip is leisure but technically I'm travelling as part of my job. Does anyone know if this will this affect the exemption, or the fact that I'm flying from a country other than Ireland?


Comments

  • #2
    ironclaw
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,004 ✭✭✭ironclaw


    You would be best off calling an embassy as the US can be very strict. You are technically travelling on business as you will be 'working'. That said, you can travel on an ESTA for the purpose of some business e.g. Meetings, training as long as you can prove you are gainfully employed and your employer is aware / sponsoring you. I believe there is also criteria regarding what your work actually pertains to and where / if you generate revenue.

    None of that is really applicable to teaching so I would really check with an embassy. You may have more requirements as you would be in charge / guardian of minors.


  • #3
    ProfanityURL
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 136 ✭✭ProfanityURL


    ironclaw wrote: »
    You would be best off calling an embassy as the US can be very strict. You are technically travelling on business as you will be 'working'. That said, you can travel on an ESTA for the purpose of some business e.g. Meetings, training as long as you can prove you are gainfully employed and your employer is aware / sponsoring you. I believe there is also criteria regarding what your work actually pertains to and where / if you generate revenue.

    None of that is really applicable to teaching so I would really check with an embassy. You may have more requirements as you would be in charge / guardian of minors.

    Thanks a mill


  • #4
    coylemj
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,624 ✭✭✭✭coylemj


      The visa waiver program (VWP) covers travel to the US on business, the criteria is that you are travelling as part of a job which is based outside the US and nobody in the US is paying you for whatever you get up to while you are there. An ESTA permit covers travel to sales conventions, attending conferences, meeting clients over there and so on, there is no way you would need a visa to supervise a school trip.

      Under the heading of 'business', the following activities are permitted if you enter under the VWP i.e. with ESTA approval ......
      • consult with business associates
      • attend a scientific, educational, professional, or business convention or conference
      • attend short-term training (you may not be paid by any source in the United States with the exception of expenses incidental to your stay)
      • negotiate a contract

      https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/visit/visa-waiver-program.html


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