Work Visas

[Sparkes]

Well, its that time of the year again. The time where us foreigners have to pay lots of money and prove that we are not terrorists, associated with terrorists, or have ties to communists so that we may be granted a visa and work in the USA.

I know when I first applied for my visa I had so many questions, so I wanted to open this post so that people can feel free to ask questions, talk about concerns, relate stories about mean border guards, complain about the lengthly process, compare agencies, whatever you feel like!

Here's my question; I sent my fees last year in the mail, but I wasn't really comfotable with it. Have any of you asked your camps to front the fee (cause that is an option) and have it taken out of your pay? Did it work fine or would I be better off just sending the money in the mail again?

[collissimon]

I'll send a cheque probably, but my camp will pay back the SEVIS fee ($35) when I get there.

[CAMPFRIEND]

I think that pending on who you are working with they should pay for all of the VISA information. I am not sure if you usre CCUSA or ICCP or Bunk or Camp USA. I would talk more them!

[Sparkes]

My camp doesn't pay for any of my visa fees, they'd just pay them for me so I wouldn't have to convert money, and then they'd take the money out of my pay. Perhaps I'll go the cheque route too...at least I can put a stop on it if anything goes wrong.

[audur]

CCUSA pays the SEVIS fee for me - I have to pay for the visa, but the way it works here in Iceland, I just bring the money to the interview and pay there.

[drink the wild air]

Well, its that time of the year again. The time where us foreigners have to pay lots of money and prove that we are not terrorists, associated with terrorists, or have ties to communists so that we may be granted a visa and work in the USA.

This tidbit made me crack up. Its so true. Thanks! HA.

[collissimon]

On the forms you get asked whether you've been a part of the Nazi Government, whether you're trained in any explosives, or whether you plan to overthrow the US Government...

Maybe if you lie on the forms they can deport you or something?

[CAMPFRIEND]

I never thought they would ask questions like that on any form. That crazy!

[drink the wild air]

You should see the forms to apply for U.S. citizenship. Its ridiculous. We were talking about the experience of immigrants in our country in one of my social work classes and went over the application packet. There are a couple pages alone dedicated to making sure you arent a Nazi or a communist. And the things the have to "agree" to when signing and taking the oath or whatever are nuts - things I would never agree to even being an American citizen. Ok I am rambling, its crazy.

[Sparkes]

They can deport you for almost anything. Including lying, or breaking the law and stuff like that. I got the deportation speech from the boarder guard, along with, like, the most grilling "welcome to America" ever. They ask the dumest questions ever - "Why are you a student?" was one of my favorites.

[audur]

Huh, all I've ever been asked is "so, you're going to work at camp? sounds fun. where is it?" and stuff like that... although, I do get "do you speak english?" a lot...

[Sparkes]

"Really? This guy gave me the third degree. Where you going? Why? Camp? Can't you do that at home? What do you do at home? Why do you go to school?" It's funny now, but at the time (after being stuck in the airport after my flight was delayed for 10 hours) I was going to strangle him!

[rockinsmiles]

Aww you poor internationals. Those are some crazy questions. I know one year one of the Colombians wasn't allowed to return to camp because he was no longer in school so it was feared that he wouldn't return home. Also last year one of the New Zealanders got padded down like everytime she was in the airport. Craziness. And as far as how long internationals can stay in the States and pay all that is just really strange/confusing to me.

[runrachrunn]

"Really? This guy gave me the third degree. Why do you go to school?"

I would have answered... "um... Why didn't you go to school?"

[collissimon]

I've never really had any horrible questions, but I think that's probably because I get in with a load of other BUNAC people, so they want to get us out as quick as possible!

It might be different this year, as I'll be going in on my own steam, on a Continental flight.

[Sparkes]

Well, if you get a Mexican boarder guard that looks like he eats foreign summer camp counselors for breakfast, thats my guy! Back away slowly, make no sudden movements, and plead for a new person! ;)

[audur]

One time after I'd checked onto my flight (Seattle to NY) I was happily waiting in line, when this scary guy approached me with the ever-popular "do you speak english!?" line... I was like uh, yeah?, and he dragged me over to this special "foreigners" section where they search through your carry-on and then search you, and ask a lot of questions... well, as the woman over there started to open up my backpack, I remembered I still had these kid scissors in it (I used to carry them around camp), so I told her very politely that I had forgotten to pack my scissors in my other bag and where they were - and that she could just throw them away, no big deal. Or so I thought... apparantly, having a pair of kid-proof scissors makes you a criminal, and I was treated like crap after that. It was actually pretty funny - I look super-innocent and usually get through any kind of security without any problems, so it was a whole new experience for me...

[S_R_Star]

i had some kid scissors in my bag too once, left over from making my CIT's keychains, i was flying from DFW to New Mexico...they security lady was super nice and told me not to worry about them because they were round tipped..i offered them to them so they could throw them away but she let me keep them. Once i had my swiss army knife in my pencil case that after my Sydney-L.A flight i put my pencil case in my hand luggage so i could write in my journal. I got pulled up at security and they were also nice to me even though i did have to hand it over. I was given the option of going back and checking my bag under the plane. Which did suprise me.

Everytime i had a one way flight i got "selected by my airline for extra security screening". I found out they do that to every foriegner who has a one way ticket.

[Sparkes]

I thought I'd let everyone in on my continuing visa horror. This morning I was awoken by Philippa from BUNAC, calling to tell me the contract I had signed was wrong and I have to sign a different one. This is the second year in a row this has happened! My director and I sent the same contract (except the date/pay changed) as we sent the second time around last year, and it was rejected again! Clearly, bunac hates me. I swear, if I get to the border and that same freakig guard is there, I turning around and fleeing for the Canadian side!

[nimahan]

You know there's a section on the visa paper dedicated to screening out communists, it's subtle but it's there-
Only fill in this section if you are male between 18-65 and/or a current/prevous resident or passport holder of Russia, North Korea, China, etc, etc, etc..

Madness. But at least *I* don't have to fill it out! :D

[powers]

Argh!! I have fallen at the first hurdle (the second if you count picking up and opening the post a hurdle)- I attempted to call the US embassy and got "I'm sorry, but NTL will not connect you to a premium rate number" grrrrr

[collissimon]

I got a postcard from BUNAC today in bright red asking where my forms were... I suppose that means I'd better post them! :P

[miss_piggy]

I expect my work visa to come in a week before I leave...I really hope everything goes alright with it! I have a questions about social security numbers...I heard we need to fill out some form when I arrive at camp to apply for one...has anyone had to do that? Is it simple?

[clarabelle1985]

the social security thing all depends on your camp. Some may need it some may not ur director will tell you when u get there camp america gave me all the forms and stuff last year but when i got to camp our director told us because of the hours we worked and the visa we had we didnt need one. If u do need one tho the forms didnt look to complicated the only anoying thing was having to go to a local socail security office.

[collissimon]

I got sent those forms too, and have had a little talk about it... I've never actually been to get a Social Security No. though, and it hasn't been a problem (touch wood). You won't be paying any tax/national insurance etc. so I don't think it's a massive deal if you don't get one. I won't be getting one this year, because the local office is quite a way away.

I think if you asked to get it, then it's not a big deal: the forms they sent me look relatively easy, and after doing all the visa forms I'm sure it would be a doddle!!

My Embassy trip is next tuesday... I can't wait :P

[Sparkes]

Yeah, you don't need it because we don't pay taxes, but I have one. All of us foreigners got one last year, but only because my camp arranged for someone to come to camp and arrange for it. Funny thing though, they were all signed and sent out together, and then everyone but me got one! Mine was re-dirrected to my home address like, in November.

They won't ask you to get one. I work in the camp office, so I was talking to the people. It isn't necessary, unless you plan to work permanetly in the States at some point. And the forms aren't complicated at all. Name, address, parents address, thats the sort of thing.

[The_Lorax]

Well I have worked at two american camps and had two experiances completly differnt with Visas

CAMP#1 I had to do it all on my own through YMCA. I had to pay for it and organize it and everyhing. I had simply found the camp on the internet so I was a bit scared about all the money.. but it was a great summer and nothing wierd

CAMP#2- the camp I worked at last summer (and will work at again thiss ummer) they are a non profit camp through the JCC and they pay for it all and at the end of the summer they subtract 50 dollars administrative fee for it


At the border I have not really had any trouble.. I completly over pack always and the border guards (I take they greyhound) ask me if i have dead bodies in my bag.. I have never once (in 6 border crossings) been asked to even open my bags. I find that the canadian guards are much stricter and will ask me a few questions.. but otherwise nothing at all.. Usually they ask me what I do at camp and If i like it. Last year I had the nicest guard and he kept apoligizing that it was taking so long

[Sparkes]

I find the Canadian guards so much better! Being Canadian and all, and coming home, I've never had trouble with them! I wonder though if bus vs plane has anything to due with it though

[runrachrunn]

I find the Canadian guards so much better! Being Canadian and all, and coming home, I've never had trouble with them! I wonder though if bus vs plane has anything to due with it though

I've had this experience too, Sparkes. I find that whenever I come home from a trip, the canadian border control/customs agents have a smile for me (despite the fact that I'm usually ragged and jetlagged). I've never had any problems. The most issues I've had was when I went to Israel. Those Israeli guards are tough!