Activities allowed with ESTA

[Gonzala 9]

Hello

My niece (older than 21) was thinking of visiting us for 2 months on an ESTA. Because my husband and I work full time we were thinking of inexpensive regular activities which she could do. As far as I understand any type of even unpaid work (such as community work for churches or schools) is not allowed. Is it possible to do an English course maybe? Or does anyone have any ideas? She speaks a decent English but of course there is always room for improvement...

Thank you very much!

[Boiler 45,947]

I would ask her what she wants to do, presumably she has a reason to spend so long visiting.

[Gonzala 9]

The main reason for her visiting is spending time with us. We were very close when we still lived at home but since we are in the US we see her only once a year at most for a few days. She has now the opportunity to take some time off. We will spend all our time in the evenings and on the weekends together but the days can be pretty long without any social contacts or things to do.

[Boiler 45,947]

Well she presumably knows she will be on her own for most of the time, so I would certainly discuss with her some ideas that she might wish to consider.

 

Perhaps a profile on Bumble, could kill two birds with one stone.

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

Activities allowed on visitor status

 

• Tourism
• Vacation (holiday)
• Visit with friends or relatives
• Medical treatment
• Participation in social events hosted by fraternal, social, or service organizations
• Participation by amateurs in musical, sports, or similar events or contests, if not being paid for participating
• Enrollment in a short recreational course of study, not for credit toward a degree (for example, a two-day cooking class while on vacation)

• Consult with business associates
• Attend a scientific, educational, professional, or business convention or conference
• Settle an estate
• Negotiate a contract

 

activities not allowed on visitor status

• Study
• Employment
• Paid performances, or any professional performance before a paying audience
• Arrival as a crewmember on a ship or aircraft
• Work as foreign press, in radio, film, print journalism, or other information media
• Permanent residence in the United States
   

if she wants to do something like an internship she can investigate a J visa 

 

 

 

[Boiler 45,947]

Actually there is a lot of good stuff on YouTube that helps improving your English:

 

 

[Ontarkie 14,415]

How about letting her figure it out? She's not a child and if she spent time alone at home without someone making all her plans for her I'm sure she can figure something out. She has time before coming out to plan her days or she might just like lazing around for a bit. 

[Gonzala 9]

12 minutes ago, Ontarkie said:

How about letting her figure it out? She's not a child and if she spent time alone at home without someone making all her plans for her I'm sure she can figure something out. She has time before coming out to plan her days or she might just like lazing around for a bit. 

Thank you all for your comments. I'm sure she will find something but because my experience with immigration so far is that everything is not as easy as you expect when you are in your early 20s, I thought this forum has so much knowledge and is so great with all these questions that maybe someone had a similar case and can give some recommendations.

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

5 minutes ago, Gonzala said:

Thank you all for your comments. I'm sure she will find something but because my experience with immigration so far is that everything is not as easy as you expect when you are in your early 20s, I thought this forum has so much knowledge and is so great with all these questions that maybe someone had a similar case and can give some recommendations.

But it’s not immigration.... it’s just a visit. I managed to backpack across Europe and the US on my own at 21/22 in the pre-internet and cellphone era..all I basically had was a tatty copy of Let’s Go, lol... I’m sure she can figure it out.
 

 

Edited January 9, 2020 by SusieQQQ

[Ontarkie 14,415]

8 minutes ago, Gonzala said:

Thank you all for your comments. I'm sure she will find something but because my experience with immigration so far is that everything is not as easy as you expect when you are in your early 20s, I thought this forum has so much knowledge and is so great with all these questions that maybe someone had a similar case and can give some recommendations.

But visiting is far different than immigrating. 

[Gonzala 9]

True. I'm probably overthinking it. Maybe my own immigration process just made me over-the-top anxious about everything which is connected to staying in the US 😂

[Ontarkie 14,415]

It's good to have ideas for her but yes I think you may be over thinking things. 

[SalishSea 18,082]

3 hours ago, Gonzala said:

Thank you all for your comments. I'm sure she will find something but because my experience with immigration so far is that everything is not as easy as you expect when you are in your early 20s, I thought this forum has so much knowledge and is so great with all these questions that maybe someone had a similar case and can give some recommendations.

Almost sounds like you're trying to bring her here to immigrate.....?

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

2 hours ago, Jorgedig said:

Almost sounds like you're trying to bring her here to immigrate.....?

Absent USC spouse, impossible to do from ESTA.