Can I record a podcast episode in the US on tourist visa?

[Randall8934 0]

As the title says - I want to interview a guest in the US. The episode will have advertisement in it and be shown on Youtube and podcast platforms.

 

Do i need a visa for this?

 

And what are the guidelines around doing other social media colabs with US brands while in the US?

[Mike E 11,739]

You will need a visa. Try for an I visa (  https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/employment/visas-members-foreign-media-press-radio.html ).

[JeanneAdil 6,498]

will not work for the following reason/  youtube address is a California one

 

Media (I) visas are for representatives of the foreign media, including members of the press, radio, film, and print industries, traveling temporarily to the United States to work in their profession engaged in informational or educational media activities, essential to the foreign media function. Activities in the United States while on a media (I) visa must be for a media organization having its home office in a foreign country

 

What has happened to your E investor visa?

Edited August 1, 2023 by JeanneAdil

[Chancy 6,241]

1 hour ago, JeanneAdil said:

will not work for the following reason/  youtube address is a California one

 

Just because a video is posted on Youtube doesn't mean the content creator is employed by Youtube.  Unless OP actually works for Youtube/Google/Alphabet, the Youtube headquarters address in California should not appear anywhere on their visa application.

 

[Mike E 11,739]

2 hours ago, Mike E said:

You will need a visa. Try for an I visa (  https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/employment/visas-members-foreign-media-press-radio.html ).

 

1 hour ago, JeanneAdil said:

will not work for the following reason/  youtube address is a California one

[…]

Activities in the United States while on a media (I) visa must be for a media organization having its home office in a foreign country

I disagree with those reasons.

 

BBC (for example) posts its content to youtube and has reporters in U.S. For example Jon Sopel’s (a UK citizen) interview of President Obama from 2015 that was recorded inside the U.S. 

 

OP, like the BBC, does not work for Youtube, Google, or Alphabet, or their foreign subsidiaries, and is presumably based outside the U.S.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

[OldUser 6,649]

How are you entering the US?

On B1/B2 visa? Esta? I was under impresion this could fall under "business activity" which both B1 and Esta allow. This is not a legal advice.

[VinnyH 59]

12 hours ago, Randall8934 said:

And what are the guidelines around doing other social media colabs with US brands while in the US?

You mean... like an OnlyFans collaboration?

😂

[SalishSea 17,828]

1 hour ago, VinnyH said:

You mean... like an OnlyFans collaboration?

😂

You think the OP intends to travel to the US to do pornography?

[VinnyH 59]

24 minutes ago, SalishSea said:

You think the OP intends to travel to the US to do pornography?

First, it was meant to be a joke.

Second, even if it was the case, I am nobody to judge. It's a legal professional activity, and adult performers, just like any other entertainment professionals, would be subject to visas as well in order to perform in the United States.

 

I happen to know adult performers and the adult entertainment industry, hence my quirky remark.

 

The way OP worded his/her question with the term "other social media collabs" is so vague that it can mean anything, from collaborations with U.S. brands on Instagram/TikTok etc..., but yes, also collaborations with other performers or U.S. studios on OnlyFans.

 

Edited August 2, 2023 by VinnyH
spelling

[Boiler 45,486]

We do not judge on VJ

 

The technical term is Content Creation.

 

Amusingly there is a H1b category for Models.

[Randall8934 0]

Thanks for your responses! Mainly wondering about doing this on ESTA, as I wonder if this would qualify under "Business meeting".

 

Will be posted to Youtube and Spotify etc.

 

Would a visa (e.g. O1, E2 etc) be needed for the A-D cases below?

A) Record video podcast in the US with US guest without ads in episode

B) Record video podcast in the US with US guest with ads in episode

C) Record video podcast outside the US (e.g. UK) with US guest with/without ads

D) Record a remote video podcast over Zoom with a guest from the US with/without ads (she is in the US, I'm in the UK) 

 

Other social media colabs meaning: a US company paying me an invoice for promoting their products, while I am in the us. Is the key factor here where I am located where I'm doing it? Not seeing a problem doing that while I

Edited August 2, 2023 by Randall8934

[Redro 4,611]

7 hours ago, Boiler said:

We do not judge on VJ

 

The technical term is Content Creation.

 

Amusingly there is a H1b category for Models.

 

2 hours ago, Randall8934 said:

Thanks for your responses! Mainly wondering about doing this on ESTA, as I wonder if this would qualify under "Business meeting".

 

Will be posted to Youtube and Spotify etc.

 

Would a visa (e.g. O1, E2 etc) be needed for the A-D cases below?

A) Record video podcast in the US with US guest without ads in episode

B) Record video podcast in the US with US guest with ads in episode

C) Record video podcast outside the US (e.g. UK) with US guest with/without ads

D) Record a remote video podcast over Zoom with a guest from the US with/without ads (she is in the US, I'm in the UK) 

 

Other social media colabs meaning: a US company paying me an invoice for promoting their products, while I am in the us. Is the key factor here where I am located where I'm doing it? Not seeing a problem doing that while I

Question is: are podcasters seen as foreign media or entertainers?

If foreign media... you are only allowed to enter the US on ESTA or B1/B2 if you are conducting research or going to conferences... 

If entertainers... you should apply for the entertainer visa even if you are not paid for your work. 

So, ads or no ads if you're an entertainer you cannot travel to the US to work. It doesn't matter if you are not being paid. 

 

Have you successfully re-newed your ESTA without issue? I believe you had some concerns about working for a US company in the past without the correct paperwork. Was that resolved? 

[Mike E 11,739]

4 hours ago, Randall8934 said:

wondering about doing this on ESTA

You will likely lose esta if you try this.

 

A and B are the same thing and require a visa. 
 

Since C and D take place with you outside the U.S. the visa question is irrelevant and the visa will be denied.

[Crazy Cat 41,845]

This a really good question.  I watch several UK YouTube content creators who have monetized channels doing food reviews and such inside the US.  I have wondered under what authority these folks are working.  

Edited August 2, 2023 by Crazy Cat

[JeanneAdil 6,498]

you all missed this section

visas are for representatives of the foreign media, including members of the press, radio, film, and print industries, 

Ali broadcasts soccer games in Arabic for a foreign station

the station applys for his visa(s) and press pass(es)

 

And BBC is foreign its based in London