Need to do an internship with B1\B2 visa

[Pazamozaurus 0]

Hey everyone.

First of all, I've been reading this website for the last week and it is just great! I found lots of information and I'm sure it serves well the community - so thank you!

I've been chosen to start an internship in the USA.

The program pays for my traveling and for my staying (apartment and food).

However, I do not receive money as a salary so it is NOT a job.

Sadly, I only have a tourist visa with no bad record (never did a crime not in the USA and not in my homeland country), and I have proofs that I'm not going to immigrate permanently to the USA (recruiting to the army in 5 months). So I'm relaxed about their possible concerns of my credibility. (I wouldn't even ask here if I had any intentions to do something illegal).

The intership is more or less 90 days. I read the rules in the USCIS website and I found out that B-type visa holders are not allowed to start any intership or anything like that.

I heard that there's something called VWP which allows people from chosen countries to enter the USA and take internships (as long as there's no salary), but my country is not in the eligible country list (nominated, but not yet accepted to the list).

I want to make sure everything is legal as I do not want to get banned from the USA, not even by the slightest chance.

Is there anything I can do in order to legally enter the USA and participate in that internship?

Sincerely,

Pazam.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

You can get a more appropriate visa.

[Harsh_77 718]

How are you joining the army?

[lost_at_sea 995]

The intership is more or less 90 days. I read the rules in the USCIS website and I found out that B-type visa holders are not allowed to start any intership or anything like that.

Then if that's the case, you already know you can't use the B visa to do the internship.

Your more likely need a J visa. You should speak to the company who you are intending to intern for - they should help you to acquire the correct visa.

[Pazamozaurus 0]

You can get a more appropriate visa.

This internships starts within two weeks. Could I possibly get a more appropriate visa in that period of time? if so, which visa?

@Harsh_77 - I was talking about the army in my country, not the US army.

@lost_at_sea - They don't mention clearly say that. I assumed that I can't take that intership (I might be wrong, that's why I came to ask here ). But since they pay for my staying I believe B-type visas holders are not eligible for that.

Is there any way to apply for a waiver even if you are not in the eligible country list?

If eventually they do allow me a waiver - Is my B visa might be revoked?

[lost_at_sea 995]

This internships starts within two weeks. Could I possibly get a more appropriate visa in that period of time? if so, which visa?

@Harsh_77 - I was talking about the army in my country, not the US army.

@lost_at_sea - They don't mention clearly say that. I assumed that I can't take that intership (I might be wrong, that's why I came to ask here ). But since they pay for my staying I believe B-type visas holders are not eligible for that.

Is there any way to apply for a waiver even if you are not in the eligible country list?

If eventually they do allow me a waiver - Is my B visa might be revoked?

The J visa is designed for the work. You're not likely to get a waiver when an appropriate visa already exists. Again, you should be talking to the company offering the internship - they should be aware of what they need to legally have you intern for them.

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from Tourist Visas to Work Visas since it's a work visa the OP will need to acquire in order to do the internship.

[Harsh_77 718]

This internships starts within two weeks. Could I possibly get a more appropriate visa in that period of time? if so, which visa?

@Harsh_77 - I was talking about the army in my country, not the US army.

@lost_at_sea - They don't mention clearly say that. I assumed that I can't take that intership (I might be wrong, that's why I came to ask here ). But since they pay for my staying I believe B-type visas holders are not eligible for that.

Is there any way to apply for a waiver even if you are not in the eligible country list?

If eventually they do allow me a waiver - Is my B visa might be revoked?

OK... make sense I would say talk to the company and see if their lawyer could help you in getting right visa.

B1 - can mainly be used for business meetings and trainings but I am guessing internship does not fall under training.

[Boiler 45,525]

As long as it is something that never would be paid, working in a Soup Kitchen for example, then you can use a Visitor Visa.

Intrigued as to what the Company propose.

[Pazamozaurus 0]

That's interesting.

It's going to be about computer programming... They're going to keep me in their house, pay for food but nothing else...

Is it allowed for B1/B2 visa?

When I get to the US the teller in the airport will ask me what am I going to do... What should I tell him? (Legal, but good explanation)

Thanks again!

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Keep you in their house? This doesn't sound like a formal internship if you are just couchsurfing. How did you get this "internship"? Are you going to be working? What type of thing are you going to be doing?

Are you Israeli?

[Boiler 45,525]

You will need an appropriate visa, something your Employer will sort out.

[Pazamozaurus 0]

Keep you in their house? This doesn't sound like a formal internship if you are just couchsurfing. How did you get this "internship"? Are you going to be working? What type of thing are you going to be doing?

Are you Israeli?

Their house is also an 'office'. That's why I'm asking - I'm definitely not sure it's a formal intership but rather just a 'training program' (As I mentioned before - I have no idea what's the difference).

I'm going to program an app\website. Also I'm not going to get money for it other than an expense allowance or expense reimbursement

related to my stay, which is exactly what's written for "Training" here. However I'm not sure if it falls under training.

And yes, and I already got Tzav Giyus which I will attend (not going to Leishtamet). Why do you ask?

@Boiler:

He might tell me that my visa is fine for that, but as we see here that's not enough.

That's why I ask here...

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

You are going to make a website? Are these people senior to you and going to give you tips/feedback or are you just doing it for them? I am guessing this "employer" is just some people? Not a large business that gives formal internships?

It sounds like you are working - making this website for a chance to stay in the US rent-free for a while. Are these people your friends?

[Pazamozaurus 0]

You are going to make a website? Are these people senior to you and going to give you tips/feedback or are you just doing it for them? I am guessing this "employer" is just some people? Not a large business that gives formal internships?

It sounds like you are working - making this website for a chance to stay in the US rent-free for a while. Are these people your friends?

Indeed, they are older than me, and yeah these guys are just people and (probably) not a registered company (maybe because the website does not exist yet, not sure).

And yeah that's more or less like you mentioned it. and they are my friends (sort of).

I heard however that this kind of "jobs" can be registered under some official sponsors and be able to grant J-1 visas... so it's J-1 or the possibility that this kind of activity is still legal with B1\B2 visa.