Can I film corporate film on an ESTA?
I'm sending a crew of two cameramen out to boston and hiring a local soundman. They are going to be filming a corporate film for my UK client, featuring their product in a Boston location. One of the cameramen has told me that he's previously done this on an ESTA. Can I confirm that this is okay? I don't want to get them all the way there for them to be refused entry.
Best Answer
According Travel.State.Gov, an I visa is needed for, e.g.:
- An employee of an organization that distributes technical industrial information who will work in the U.S. office of that organization.
and for such works:
Representatives of the foreign media who will work in their profession as media or journalists while in the United States cannot travel on the Visa Waiver Program or on visitor (B) visas.
There is some permission for still photography, but you are doing a much more professional set up, so I fear (but not 100% sure) that your cameramen should apply a "I visa".
As you see, most wording is about foreign media, but they took a broad definition.
Pictures about "Can I film corporate film on an ESTA?"
Can I use an ESTA for business?
An ESTA can be used for a variety of business activities such as attending job interviews, business-related research activities, consulting with business associates, travelling for a scientific, educational, professional or business convention or conference, negotiating a contract or settling the affairs of an estate.Are you allowed to work in the US on an ESTA?
Working in the USA with an ESTA is allowed, provided the traveller does not enter into direct employment with an American company. The traveller is allowed to be paid for the works performed in the USA, as long as the paying party is located outside of the United States.What does an ESTA allow you to do?
An approved ESTA allows you to travel to a U.S. port-of-entry (generally an airport) and request permission to enter the United States, but an approved ESTA does not guarantee entry into the United States.Do I need a visa to film in the US?
A media visa cannot be used by applicants whose purpose of travel to the U.S. is to film, or work on a film, intended primarily for commercial entertainment or advertising purposes. A temporary worker visa is required.ESTA Extraction Technology - Image film | Corporate film
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Tatiana Fet, Collis, Photography Maghradze PH, Kyle Loftus