Entering the US on ESTA for 85 days academic visit (No income)

[Hailey_K 0]

I’m hoping to get some advice regarding my upcoming trip to the U.S. on ESTA.

 

I’m a graduate student in South Korea conducting research in the pharmaceutical sciences. I’ve been invited to visit an university in US for approximately 85 days this summer to collaborate on a research project.

This is not a paid position—there will be absolutely no income generated in the U.S., and I will be financially supported by my home university in Korea throughout the stay.

 

I already have a round-trip ticket booked (arrival: July 3rd), and I’ve arranged to sublet housing from a friend for the duration of my stay.

 

This will be my first time entering the US on ESTA, and my only prior US travel history is a stay of about 1.5 years back in 2005 as a child when my parents were on a work assignment.

I would deeply appreciate any advice on how to best prepare for the entry interview—or whether others have had similar experiences traveling under ESTA for academic, non-paid purposes.

Thank you very much in advance for your help!

[smilingstone 608]

Just ensure that you have documents evidencing your purpose for visiting, something from both your home school and the US school, as well as that it is fully funded by your home school.

 

Also confirmation of your ESTA, accommodation booking, flight itinerary showing return dates, and something evidencing a residential address in south Korea such as rental lease. Bank statements can also be used as proof of address. 

 

(All of the above should probably be translated, though it may be a good idea to also include copies in the original language)