USA visitor visa camming

[NudeTherapy]

Hey everyone! I'm getting back into camming as soon as I recover from an injury and get a better laptop. In the meantime, I've been trying to prepare as much as I can, and during my research, I haven't really found the answer to one question.

I'm from Europe but plan on traveling more after I settle back into camming. I've researched all the places I would be able to stay longer and where camming is legal, one of them is of course USA. Since I'd love to stay for a month or two and explore but still be able to earn money and also keep the regulars, I was wondering if it's at all possible to do it with a visitor's visa? The US department of state website says that you can't get paid for any work over there and no paid performances are allowed..does the same go for telecommute work? I can't imagine in such a global era and with so many tourists in the USA working mainly online to not be working while over there and getting paid by the USA companies? Surely, there must be many freelancers like this....

Can anyone shed any light on this? I know USA is very strict and I wouldn't want to do anything illegal that could result in a ban or something like that....and if it's legal, are there any additional taxes to pay, since some websites are based over there? I wouldn't mind getting a business visa or whatever it's called, but I'm not sure how would one get one for this kind of work lol!

 

[Guy]

Hey everyone! I'm getting back into camming as soon as I recover from an injury and get a better laptop. In the meantime, I've been trying to prepare as much as I can, and during my research, I haven't really found the answer to one question.

I'm from Europe but plan on traveling more after I settle back into camming. I've researched all the places I would be able to stay longer and where camming is legal, one of them is of course USA. Since I'd love to stay for a month or two and explore but still be able to earn money and also keep the regulars, I was wondering if it's at all possible to do it with a visitor's visa? The US department of state website says that you can't get paid for any work over there and no paid performances are allowed..does the same go for telecommute work? I can't imagine in such a global era and with so many tourists in the USA working mainly online to not be working while over there and getting paid by the USA companies? Surely, there must be many freelancers like this....

Can anyone shed any light on this? I know USA is very strict and I wouldn't want to do anything illegal that could result in a ban or something like that....and if it's legal, are there any additional taxes to pay, since some websites are based over there? I wouldn't mind getting a business visa or whatever it's called, but I'm not sure how would one get one for this kind of work lol!

Have you contacted a US embassy about it?

 

[NudeTherapy]

Have you contacted a US embassy about it?

I have not. I was hoping to get some first hand answers from cam girls but I will contact them if I don't...I'm not sure how to ask really. Should I keep it obscure, mention camming or maybe say I'm in affiliate marketing or something similar?

 

[LilPixy]

I'd say I'm working as webmaster or as affiliate and try not to mention camming. I've never tried to get visa myself but as I can recall, they sometimes ask for company name in application form so you have to be prepared for such questions...

 

[NudeTherapy]

I'd say I'm working as webmaster or as affiliate and try not to mention camming. I've never tried to get visa myself but as I can recall, they sometimes ask for company name in application form so you have to be prepared for such questions...

Exactly why I'd rather get more first hand answers first so I can prepare myself better before giving out any info. Thank you!

 

[EllaGray]

Following because I need this info too actually.

See the one thing I worry about is the whole "strong ties to my home country thing". I feel like if you get paid in $$ which many of us do, they'll be more suspicious of your ability to slip into US society illegally and disappear, even if you have no intention of doing that. I wanna put "webmaster" on my application but all my checks from cam come in $$ so I'm very worried.

I do have financial commitments tying me back to home and I don't want to leave but I just wanna get the visa process right.

 

[LilPixy]

I searched on forums but I haven't got any results that would solve the problem. Also, I don't know if there're any differences in application for different countries but questions about employment seem to be standard ones. In some cases they demand additional documents that confirm the employment or the fact that you pay the taxes in your country. Sadly, website of USA Embassy wasn't helpful so I think you need to contact them.

"Strong ties to my home country" mean that you e.g. own a house/apartment or have family (that will not travel with you) or work so it's more likely you'd want to come back to your country. That's a bit shady because your application can get rejected "just because"...

 

[JerryBoBerry]

Legally, I think the answer is no. You have to have a work visa for that. Realistically the odds of them finding out are slim. But if they do find you working without one you would be deported immediately and be blocked from reentry for at least 10 years, some sites say forever.

You could try contacting GweenBlack @GweenBlack_ on twitter. It's been a few months since she posted in the public section here, so I'm not sure if she'd see this mention. She's from Brazil and couldn't cam for money when she visited the US either.

 

[EllaGray]

For my end I wouldn't want to work while there, just visit for like 2 weeks...hopefully that would increase my chances of getting it.

 

[gudheadt]

sooo i spend 5months in america, and travelet there 3 times over all.
first of all if you are going to work in american you need a work visa plain and simple, there is no getting around it.
there is no forms where you have to put down what you do for a living, not on the ESTA or the once you will get on the flight. but they will ask you about it at the boarder security when you enter the country. best thing is to be open about what you do, they are professionals and wont judge you for being a sex worker.
other things you should note is that if you are flying in on a ESTA then you need a return ticket, and a good amought of cash so you can last in case anything happends, they will ask you about how much money you are bringing in to the country and might ask you to show them.


-this is all my own experiences so yours might be different.

best thing to do is to contact the embasade and tell them about everything, if you are Not honest with what you do for a living, and they catch you (which they will) they will most likely ban you from the contry or give you a periode where you cant travel there.

 

[Sevrin]

If you want to travel, make money where you are and go visit as a tourist. Getting a temporary working visa without a reference isn't going to happen.

https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/employment/temporary.html

Those are the types of temporary working visas that are available. Independent cam model does not fit into those categories.

Of course, if you want to take a chance, just get a visitor's visa and say you are on vacation and cam from your AirBnB billet or wherever you were planning on working from. That's what other models do. Above all, be discreet. You definitely don't want neighbours calling the police on you for loud noise or anything else they may take offense at.

 

[Guy]

If you want to travel, make money where you are and go visit as a tourist. Getting a temporary working visa without a reference isn't going to happen.

https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/employment/temporary.html

Those are the types of temporary working visas that are available. Independent cam model does not fit into those categories.

Of course, if you want to take a chance, just get a visitor's visa and say you are on vacation and cam from your AirBnB billet or wherever you were planning on working from. That's what other models do. Above all, be discreet. You definitely don't want neighbours calling the police on you for loud noise or anything else they may take offense at.

But wont you already have a reference if the camsite you work on is U.S. based?

 

[JerryBoBerry]

But wont you already have a reference if the camsite you work on is U.S. based?

I think by 'reference' he means the company you want to work for in the USA sponsors you for a full H1B or H2B work visa (or other types of non-immigrant visas). As far as I know, MFC does not do that.

 

[Lintilla]

If you want to travel, make money where you are and go visit as a tourist. Getting a temporary working visa without a reference isn't going to happen.

https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/employment/temporary.html

Those are the types of temporary working visas that are available. Independent cam model does not fit into those categories.

A camgirl would not be applying under the temporary worker program, because it's correct that it would probably be impossible. These are the visas that would apply instead: https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/business.html, and you are allowed to:

• consult with business associates
• attend a scientific, educational, professional, or business convention or conference
• settle an estate
• negotiate a contract

Some of that can apply (conventions and conferences, especially), but actual "working" is not allowed. It is definitely illegal to work without the correct visa, and yes in most cases that would include camming and other telecommuting, although it is somewhat of a grey area as the laws are lagging behind reality. The fact that camming sites are US based does complicate things, I think. I'm not sure about tax implications, but I do know that certain nonresident aliens can owe taxes. You can take your chances, and it's not super duper risky, but there are many things about a travelling camgirl that would raise suspicions to keep in mind to avoid extra questioning or being turned away.

Before I got my fiance visa and then eventually my green card I was refused entry at the US border several times for similar reasons to those that might apply to a camgirl, even though I was not planning to work or do anything else illegal. Things that can cause issues include being a young person with few ties outside the country, travelling alone, not having enough money in cash to present or a clear way of how you're supporting yourself while away from home, carrying a large amount of luggage, staying with friends or relations, not having a return ticket, bringing items that make it appear that you're likely to work in the country, the list goes on. They can refuse you entry for no reason at all, if they feel like it.

If you are simply refused entry it is NOT the same as being deported/removed, and it will most likely not bar you from entering the country in the future (all of the times it's happened to me I've simply entered the next day or on a later flight). Being removed once you're in the country would be bad news, but it's highly unlikely.

 

[BobbyB]

Maybe I am completely wrong here, but as a camgirl you are kind of selfemployed like running your own business.
I can't see any foreighn business owner having any problems on holiday just because of taking care of his company affairs.

 

[LilPixy]

@gudheadt From my experience (that I don't want to mention publicly), not every embassy functionary is professional. That's why I'd ask about any kind of remote work during first contact.

@BobbyB Being a business owner and being selfemployed in this case is not the same. I know a blogger who had a visitor visa and worked during his trip to the US but he runs the company (it's a sole proprietorship) and had no problem.
E.g. in my case, I didn't register the business and even though I pay taxes and insurance, authorities see me as 'unemployed'. I consider registration in the near future but I'd have to get my parents permission because they're co-owners of my apartment and it would rise land tax for 12 square meters of the apartment

 

[EllaGray]

Thanks for all this info everyone. I've definitely got more than enough money locally for tickets and for the stay. In my case the only thing I want to do is visit and travel I have no plans to cam or work there at all in any capacity so I'm hoping it will make getting a visitor visa easier.

I am still unsure what to tell them I do for work simply because you can be refused entry if they think you plan on engaging in prostitution and knowing how misunderstood camming is, I'm worried it might screw up my chances if I tell them that that is what I do.

 

[SaffronBurke]

but they will ask you about it at the boarder security when you enter the country. best thing is to be open about what you do, they are professionals and wont judge you for being a sex worker.

Actually, quite a few (female) models have been held in US customs on suspicion of prostitution because the customs people don't understand what a cam model is. So it would be safer to go with a half-truth, like saying you do graphic design or video editing. If the person doesn't understand your job and you're in any form of sex work, they're going to assume you're full service because that's all they know about, and since that's illegal here, you can get in trouble. It might be easier for men, but women they seem to suspect a bit more for some reason.

 

[Serenity_Tam]

I didn't stay for extended times but I worked on a visit to both Mexico and the USA on multiple occasions. The length of time I stayed did not require a visa, but I worked. I feel like you don't even need a visa for USA travel unless you stay more than 3 mos.? Not positive, but whatever country you're going to should have the info listed on their immigration website. I DID NOT tell the agents I was working. I said my visit was for fun! Visiting some friends/family if I had any in the area! I wanted to see whatever and whatever for touristy things, and drive across the state! or whatevs.


I've actually had a border agent ask me how I afforded to do a trip and stay in the hotel I was. He was a turd. I told him I just never spent any money on anything so I could save and because I liked to travel and my parents helped me out. This worked because the cities I was visiting were touristy and I knew people in the city BUT had ties to Canada still. I owned a home, was in school or had a husband at the time who stayed behind.

I am going to agree with the above and say do not disclose your job, but if you use a cover make it realistic and something you can back up. My experience with some agents is they think they're god. Because essentially at that crossing ... they are. If they even feel like you are lying they can deny you entry. They are allowed to ask all kinds of shitty questions. If I remember correctly there is an entire thread already dedicated to international travelling debacles.

 

[gudheadt]

Actually, quite a few (female) models have been held in US customs on suspicion of prostitution because the customs people don't understand what a cam model is. So it would be safer to go with a half-truth, like saying you do graphic design or video editing. If the person doesn't understand your job and you're in any form of sex work, they're going to assume you're full service because that's all they know about, and since that's illegal here, you can get in trouble. It might be easier for men, but women they seem to suspect a bit more for some reason.

i mean just say you are a broadcarster? that would be the truth and you would not have to go further in to what kind of stuff you broadcarst.

 

[weirdbr]

there is no forms where you have to put down what you do for a living, not on the ESTA or the once you will get on the flight.

This is required on the forms when applying for a visa for non-ESTA countries, including requiring extra documentation to prove your current employment status. To add to the fun, they also ask who you worked for in the last 5-10 years (IIRC, it's been at least 2 years since I had to renew my visa so I dont remember the whole form).

I feel like you don't even need a visa for USA travel unless you stay more than 3 mos.?

It varies by country; Canada seems to have fewer requirements based on what I could find (as you hinted as being canadian on your reply), but for everyone else you need either a full-blown VISA or an ESTA if you are lucky to be from one of the Visa Waiver Program countries. (And the ESTA is essentially a visa done electronically with way less paperwork/annoyance).

For example, as a Brazilian I need a visa for entering the US for any reason, even if it's just to sit around on the airport for a few hours waiting for a connecting flight to another country.

i mean just say you are a broadcarster? that would be the truth and you would not have to go further in to what kind of stuff you broadcarst.

And then they ask for details of where/what you broadcast, which then opens the door for the confusion based on not knowing what camming is.


--

In my experience, you need to have as much data as possible to back up what you are claiming. For me getting the visitor/business visa was straightforward because I had plenty of documentation provided by my employer (an US-based company, but I am hired by one of their european subsidiaries) to prove that I work for and am paid by them in Europe, that they would be paying my costs while traveling and that it is part of my work to occasionally have in-person meetings with people based in the US.

But even with that, I've had annoying experiences with border patrol due to insufficient paperwork to prove my claims (in that case, I had all the paperwork on my phone, but no physical copies.. bad idea), so these days I print plane tickets, hotel reservations, invites/tickets for any events I might participate in and I also carry a letter from my employer confirming I still work for them (and if it's a business trip, a separate letter explaining the reason of my trip and that they are paying all the bills), which has made business and tourism trips way less stressful.

 

[gudheadt]

i where only talking about ESTA and not a work visa just saying.

 

[Serenity_Tam]

i mean just say you are a broadcarster? that would be the truth and you would not have to go further in to what kind of stuff you broadcarst.

Border agents have a right to ask you what you are broadcasting. Even in canada they have a legal right to even ask to SEE what you broadcast.

 

[NudeTherapy]

Thank you everyone. This has been a very helpful discussion I don't plan on traveling without sufficient funds which includes some extra just in case. I learned a lot from you and will keep it in mind when applying for a visa and traveling to USA. I guess it'll have to be just short non-work trips, which sucks...was kind of hoping to work and travel all around. It's a bummer how little freedom we actually have I do understand why USA has to take such precautions and respect that.

Is it the same when traveling to South America? Are they as strict about working while there? If I'm not mistaken pornography is illegal in a lot of the countries there so there aren't many options to begin with. I would love to explore the world outside of Europe while camming which is currently proving to be more of a fantasy rather than a realistic future. At least I have a EU password so it's not that bad, but still. I might just go to Spain and Portugal for a while then...or cam for 3 weeks and travel for 1 week each month for a year. It would be much more costly this way, as I'd need to pay more for renting all together and plane tickets, you waste more time, etc.

What about moving to the USA or any other countries as a full time cam girl? That must be even harder...any experience with that? Doesn't have to be a permanent move, can be a 6-12 month period. How would one even go about it? I'm not opposed to getting a part-time vanilla job over there. I've actually wanted to move there permanently one day anyway and don't plan on camming for longer than 3 years. I'd just like to travel and save up for my own business.

 

[NudeTherapy]

Things that can cause issues include being a young person with few ties outside the country, travelling alone, not having enough money in cash to present or a clear way of how you're supporting yourself while away from home, carrying a large amount of luggage, staying with friends or relations, not having a return ticket, bringing items that make it appear that you're likely to work in the country, the list goes on. They can refuse you entry for no reason at all, if they feel like it.

Do you have any tips regarding that? Obviously, a laptop and a webcam are ok, but I'm guessing more than one sex toy and travel size lights would raise suspicion. At this point, I would not risk getting caught working there and getting deported and banned but I'm still curious.

 

[Kitcatt]

I would think the best bet would be camera, laptop and a couple of sex toys, I tend to travel with that, working or not. Generally speaking if you're not coming in through a land passage the boarder passage is pretty quick and painless. They just ask you why you are visiting, where you are staying and what you do for work and generally if you don't seem suspicious they just stamp and let you in. They'll ask a lot of follow up questions if you're from specific watch list countries however.
As for the working while abroad thing, yes, technically it is illegal without a work permit. If your traveling maybe just upload new clips for sale content and hope to make residuals off of that while your gone?