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How to Qualify for the USA Visa Waiver Program or a B-1 for Music Professionals and Creatives

By October 5, 2022One Comment

This article is written by Shevaun Wright, Edited by Dani Oliva.

Are you a citizen of country outside the United States and interested in coming to the U.S. for business, but do not want to do all that long-winded visa paperwork?

There is a Visa Waiver Program for citizens from participating countries which enables you to come to the US without applying for a visa!

If you meet all the requirements below and your stay is for 90 days or less, you may qualify for the Visa Waiver Program. Instead of applying for a visa, you can complete an easy electronic application and pay $21 USD to apply for an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (“ESTA”).

What if I am from Canada or a Country Neighboring the United States? Does this Apply to Me?

First, in most cases, citizens from certain countries such as Canadian citizens do not require visitor, business, transit or other visas to enter the United States, either from Canada or from other countries, UNLESS the person is working in the United States. There are, however, some exceptions to this situation. For more info on this check out your country’s US Embassy website such as the one included here for Canada:

https://ca.usembassy.gov/visas/do-i-need-a-visa/

How Long is a B-1 Temporary Business Visitor Visa Good For?

Stays of 90 days or less.

Can I Extend My Stay Under the B-1 Visa?

No. If you enter the United States as a B-1, you must depart the US within 90 days of entry.

How do I Qualify for a B-1 or the Visa Waiver Program:

You must meet all of the following requirements:

  1. Your Travel Purpose Must be Permitted on a B-1 Visa:

Your travel to the U.S. for business needs to fall under permitted activities. Here are some examples:

  • 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 U.S. with the exception of expenses incidental to your stay).
  • Negotiate a contract.

Travel Purposes that are NOT permitted, examples:

  • Study, for credit
  • Employment
  • Work as foreign press, radio, film, journalist or other information media
  • permanent residency in the United States

Basically, you can’t be paid or study for credit under a B-1 or the Visa Waiver Program.

2. You MUST be a Citizen or National of a Visa Waiver Program Designated Country:

  • Andorra
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Brunei
  • Chile
  • Croatia
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Ireland
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Latvia
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Malta
  • Monaco
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • San Marino
  • Singapore
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • South Korea
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Taiwan*
  • United Kingdom**

** To be eligible to travel under the Visa Waiver Program, British citizens must have the unrestricted right of permanent abode in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man.

3. Each Traveler Must Have a Valid ESTA

To travel without a visa via the Visa Waiver Program, you must complete an application online for an ESTA and pay the fee of $21 USD. ESTA is an easy web-based system operated by US Customs and Border Protection. For more info click here.

Updating your ESTA

In most cases your ESTA will be valid for two years.

You must apply for a new ESTA though if you:

(1) receive a new passport, including an emergency or temporary passport;

(2) change your name;

(3) change your legal gender;

(4) change your country of citizenship; or

(5) need to change your responses to any of the “yes” or “no” questions on the ESTA application.

4. Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015

You must get a visa before traveling to the US if any of the following situations apply to you as you will be no longer eligible under the Visa Waiver Program after passage of the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015:

  • Nationals of Visa Waiver Program countries who have traveled to or been present in Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, or Yemen on or after March 1, 2011 (with limited exceptions for travel for diplomatic or military purposes in the service of a Visa Waiver Program country).
  • Nationals of VWP countries who are also nationals of Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Iran, Iraq, Sudan, or Syria.

You must apply instead for a visa using regular appointment processes at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.  For more information you can go to the CBP website, or contact the CBP information Center.

5. You Must Have the Correct Type of Passport

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your planned departure from the United States (unless exempted by country-specific agreements).

You must also have an e-passport to use the Visa Waiver Program system. More information about e-passports is available on the DHS website.

More information on frequently asked questions about the Visa Waiver Program can be found at the following websites:

You can always contact us for a consultation if you have questions or need help with your ESTA application.  We hope this information is helpful and best of luck!

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