Thread: dancing in the us - visa etc

hey,

from my "i'm visiting the us thread", several people made remarks about visa/work permits

so, i think that if i would go there to teach a few workshops (maybe next summer!) i would try to get a proper entertainment visa sorted for that

BUT:

seriously, if i'm going as a tourist, like i'd love to go to rakkassa, or one of these events, and if would dance in a show/at a hafla (unpaid), and i'd bring a costume in my hand luggage over for that;

would that get me into trouble???

Artemisia

The problem is: How can you prove that you won't go looking for a paid dance job once you are there?
It's really tricky business.

My advice stands: But everything in a box and mail it over to somebody you know.
There are certainly enough Bhuzzers here who will happily guard the box for you.
No head ache at the airport.

MEISSOUN

i know that's the way you do it, but i really really hate putting a costume in the mail. within europe the post lost a costume that i send to the netherlands(!!) like just around the corner, for over 6 months! and a costume I bought recently got send back to the us. took months as well that way.

and what about customs if you send it in a box??

I wish I knew something about this. I remember hearing that several of the instructors for a major event last year couldn't come because the organizers couldn't get them Visas, and they had paid big $$$$ to lawyers to help them! But those dancers were coming from Middle Eastern countries, I imagine that's harder right now?

I wonder... if you had a letter from the organizers of Rakassah saying that you're 'invited' to perform but won't be paid, would THAT help?

I don't see how the mere presence of a costume in hand luggage would get you in trouble. I can't say anything about paid activities once you are here, but I don't see why something sparkly in your carry-on would rouse suspicions of a lucrative scheme. What you wear while you are here in the US shouldn't be of concern to immigration officers.

I found this:

Visa Petition for P Visa

Immigration into the states is getting worse and worse. It's usually cheaper for me to fly through the US to get back to Canada but I always avoid it if possible. (I'm sure you will have a lovely time there :) on your trip but my point is just that it is becoming a bigger hassle every time I visit)

My boyfriend got detained for over an hour (and missed a concert he was supposed to review-the drive itself from that part of Canada to the concert hall was only 15 minutes) because he had "Egypt" stamped in his passport. You just never know what will set them off. I would be very, very careful.

Originally Posted by eshe

because he had "Egypt" stamped in his passport. You just never know what will set them off. I would be very, very careful.

Kimahri got detained & had her luggage searched one. sock. at. a. time. because the security guy noticed that her necklace was Arabic.

if your coming to the states and have a costume in your luggage...they really arent gonna ask. unless you state that you are here to perform and make a buck. Just say tourist and leave it at that. Will you find a paid gig here??? not unless you got someone promoting you. or have asked a regular restaurant dancer to fill in while your here...which the pay is not really all that.

I agree that certain stamps in passports and Arabic paraphernalia can set immigration officers off. I have been searched for such reasons.

People get searched for weird reasons and no reason at all, and there's no way to get around that. For that reason, make sure you have the correct visa for your activities and are not carrying illegal products. You should check and see if sequined ensembles are prohibited in the US; if so, I wouldn't recommend bringing your costume here at all.

In a few days I'm supposed to hang out with my English friend who came here (the US) to teach & perform music; I can ask him what he had to do, if you want.

Originally Posted by kamilia

I don't see how the mere presence of a costume in hand luggage would get you in trouble.

I don't know--musicians with their instruments get detained regularly at the US/Canada border, on the suspicion (rather usually justified) that they are crossing the border for a gig. I think it would depend on how dance-savvy the customs official was, whether a costume would make them suspicious or not.

Originally Posted by kamilia

You should check and see if sequined ensembles are prohibited in the US; if so, I wouldn't recommend bringing your costume here at all.

Obviously they're not prohibited. But working without the appropriate Visa is, just like in most countries. And a costume could easily be taken as evidence of intent to work.

my passport has a stamp in arabic, i've been to egypt this year.
i dont mind loooong talks with officials. they're just doing their job, as long as they let me through eventually.

Originally Posted by badriya_al_ahmar

I don't know--musicians with their instruments get detained regularly at the US/Canada border, on the suspicion (rather usually justified) that they are crossing the border for a gig. I think it would depend on how dance-savvy the customs official was, whether a costume would make them suspicious or not.

I'm imagining travelers with sound equipment trying to convince customs that they are NOT planning on working...that's got to be tough...c::

If something that resembles evening wear rouses suspicion, what is there to do?

If you're interested in going to Rakkasah, you might consider paying for the weeklong. It will guarantee you a dance slot (so you don't have to deal with the headache of the phone in... overseas, no less!). Also, you can bring your registration materials along with you in case immigration hassles you. On the Rakkasah website it states that they do not charge for performances and it makes clear that it is a dance festival. I would think that this should be enough to dispel doubts about why you have a costume.

... Or you could just buy a new one at Rakkasah for your performance!

Originally Posted by meissoun

My advice stands: But everything in a box and mail it over to somebody you know.
There are certainly enough Bhuzzers here who will happily guard the box for you.
No head ache at the airport.

MEISSOUN

I agree that this is good advice. Mail it via UPS or some other way that has international tracking and mark on the box that it is a "gift" so it's less likely to be stuck in customs.

I agree with Aazura on bringing your registration info with you. That should take care of the problem. I have never had a problem going from the US to Europe.

The other question is what occupation do you put down on your entry paperwork? If you say Dancer, and they see a costume, it might send up flags. If you say student, it is less likely.

{{{HUGS}}}

occupation; post doctoral researcher/historian at the institute for war history in brussels. yihaa. see i knew there was something good about my day job.

lol at least yours is a more useful one for this purpose than 'IT-geek' ;-)

ok, I know this will be of no help... but I am absolutely stunned that the immigration would give so much trouble over a costume... what if you say it's a present for someone?
When I went to Hungary 4 years ago to teach workshops, I took 2-3 costumes with me (some workshops were about making costumes). I didn't even think that could be a problem.
I don't remember if they searched me, all I know is that I had no problems, but I think it may have been because on the way there I was going "home" with my Hungarian passport, and on the way back I was coming "home" with my US passport.

but I really don't see why a sparkly/flashy costume would mean anything to an immigration officer...