Is it legal to go to the USA with "Visa Waiver Program" and go to job interviews?

Question

Hi,

I plan to do an internship in the USA (I'm French) with a visa J-1. I have a sponsor to get that visa.I need to find an employer now.

I'd like to know if It is legal to go to the USA and go to job interviews with "Visa Waiver Program".

I went to the US embassy website and they say:
"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."

So, as I understand it, it is legal as they allow people to travel for business with this program...
What do you think?

Thank you in advance.

Answer 1

The visa waiver program only grants you a limited B1 (tourist) or B2 (business) visa.

(Correction: I have just looked into this and in your professional capacity as a business person you can attend meetings, trade events, conferences and conventions as an employee of your European company on an I-92 visa waiver. It does not allow you to look for work. If you already have a job interview lined up before you enter the United States you may attend it, but it is on the basis that during your visit you are a tourist or there on other business with your present employer).

Before the advent of the I-92 (visa waiver program), the B1 visa that got stamped in your passport specifically stated that you could not look for work. Since the I-92 is effectively a B1/B2, you still cannot "look for work", i.e. you can't go in as a tourist and start making cold calls for job interviews.

Answer 2

Entering on any visa other than a "working visa" (which includes TN, B1, and H1B ONLY) will NOT allow you to seek employment in the US. Period.

A J-1 classification requires that you return to the country that was listed as your permanent residence (at time of J1 application) for a minimum of 2 years BEFORE trying to re-enter the US seeking employment.

The only way to "visit" the US and attend a job interview is to be invited BEFOREHAND by the prospective employer and to have a letter stating the reason for your visit in your hand when entering through Customs and Immigration.

I've been through the same thing - and I'm Canadian.

Answer 3

The J-1 Visa is a visa most used by visiting students; the J-1 permits your spouse to work in the U.S on a limited bases if she comes along whiole your in school.
Primary restrictions to you would be that, yes, you can work, so long as it would be related to your education, on campus jobs in research ect that were paying jobs' Under the F-1 Visa you could work a job on Campus that was not educationaly related.
Hope that help, go to the Visa webpage as they can help more.

Answer 4

I think it just allows you to enter the US without needing a visa - to apply for a job and accept it, you still need the proper work permits.

Good luck.

Answer 5

One option may be to get the internship sponsor to hire you as an employee for work here in the US, they would have to apply to sponsor your H1-B, try this page for more information http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

I apologize it's so long, but if you scroll down the page it contain the requirements and instructions for H1-B employment visa

Answer 6

you can go on interview I beleive, but not to accept jobs I think, I think once you come, you need to get a work permit then you can accept the job you applied for!

Answer 7

No