US Visa question

[VEIGHT]

May be a stupid question but looking for some advice.

I'm going to the US for a break with Mrs Veight however this has been prompted by a trade show that is on at the same time. I'm going to have a quick look round to see if it will be suitable for us to exhibit at in the future and meeting one of the sales guys there.

My experience with US borders is that they are very strict. Do I need a business Visa for this trip? I don't want to get to the border and find that I can't get in because they have found a business card in my suitcase!!!

[GT03ROB]

No

[DennisCooper]

Hi
As per above, you won't need a business Visa to visit a trade show. I've been an attendee at a number of events and as a British citizen, the usual passport requirement and ETSA declaration is all you need. At the immigration desk, I stated specifically I was there to attend a trade show as a visitor and zilch issue there.

Cheers, Dennis!

[Crafty_]

I'd say no as well.

You have two options, when asked you say you're on a holiday (which is true). You could leave it at that.

If you want to be 100% honest tell them you have some business meetings as well.

I've just come back from a week in Dallas for work, told them upon entry it was a business trip - they ask when I will be leaving, passport stamped and thank you sir, have a good day.

If its business they will get sniffy if you a soliciting for work (e.g. attending the trade show as an exhibitor) and/or are leaving things of value in the states - for example if you make flugelwinders and took some (even as demonstration pieces) and left them with a customer/potential customer it does not go down well.

Don't forget you both need a valid ESTA.

[Petrus1983]

No need to worry. I spend months at a time in the States and work for a UK company whilst here. I've never had any bother from the border agencies even though I travel with a 'mini office' with me.

[bga]

Crafty_ said:

If its business they will get sniffy if you a soliciting for work (e.g. attending the trade show as an exhibitor) and/or are leaving things of value in the states - for example if you make flugelwinders and took some (even as demonstration pieces) and left them with a customer/potential customer it does not go down well.

Don't forget you both need a valid ESTA.

Listen to this man. I've never had problems with trade shows but I (stupidly) declared some flyers that I was using on a stand and got grilled for 1/2 hour. They asked why I didn't get them printed in the US and pick them up when I arrived. They even insinuated that I thought US printers weren't good enough! Madness. At least my "worst" experience was 2.5 hours than the quickest entry one of my muslim team members has got for the past 3 years.

[Dr Slotter]

I concur with the above. I've been through a number of times in the last few years on various combinations of holiday and business (meetings and conferences) and only used ESTA/Waiver Programme. Whenever I have said 'business', either in full or part, I can recall having a few questions about what type of business I was going to be doing but never had a problem. Colleagues of mine who attend in a sales capacity always go on full visas as they take samples and the like.

[VEIGHT]

Thanks for the advice guys, very helpful.