londonj

Hi,

As a budding actor in London, I have had a wackey idea to go to LA to take some classes. I only want to go for 3 months max, does anyone know if I will need a visa for this? If I really saved before I went I could afford not to work. As I will not be a 'proper' student im finding it difficult to find info.

Thanks in advance

Janeen

Manc

you'd have no choice but to afford not to work.

londonj

Do you know if I would need a visa or could I just do it on a holiday one?

britex01

What you do in your allocated 'holiday' three months is, I guess, up to you. You will be in the States on vacation. What you do in that three months is entirely up to you, so long as US immigration know where you are staying. If you plan to stay with someone you know, all the better... you are having 'time out' visiting.

Personally, I don't see any complications. You wouldn't be in the US to work in any official capacity. To book a few private acting lessons is neither here nor there.

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Thydney

He's an actor he's 'Resting between jobs'

britex01

Yup, that's as good as any ...

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Manc

Hate to be pedantic

don't plan for 3 months

plan for 89 days.

RoadWarriorFromLP

If the course is less than 18 hours per week, you can travel on the visa waiver. Otherwise, you are supposed to get a student visa:

http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1268.html

In practice, you should be able to get away with it. Just don't fill your luggage full of gear that makes it obvious that you are here for studies, and have a tourist story that you can tell to Homeland (In)Security that you can provide if asked about it.

AdobePinon

Depends also on whether they'll enroll him 'as is'.

RoadWarriorFromLP

A lot of these acting classes are fairly informal, offered outside of normal academia and without any academic credit. The most important credential for admission for one of those is being a card-carrying member of Visa, Mastercard or possibly American Express.

My greatest concern would be finding a class that's actually worth your while. I would assume that a lot of them are fairly half-assed, so I'd do your homework carefully before choosing one.

londonj

Thanks for the advise it really helps. BTW I am not a he but a she, well last time I checked anyway! I am studying in London so not quite a 'resting actor just yet' I know this has nothing to do with visa's etc but if anyone does know any good acting classes/websites it would really help.

Thanks again for the help

Thydney

Well best you learn to act like on luvvie

Ray

My actress friend worked at Stringfellows ...at night
Use to spend all day counting her money...

londonj

She's not really an actress then if she spends the night stripping and the day counting the earnings....more of a special dancer then???? I maybe wrong.

Anyway slightly of the subject

Ray

Finest actress I have ever seen ...