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My daughter, an adult UK citizen/passport holder, has been accepted for a 1 month ballet "summer intensive" at a US Ballet Academy, and it runs from 3rd July in Orlando, Florida. Some people are telling me a student visa might be needed (M-1) because she might be classified as learning. Others say an ESTA will be fine as it is effectively a recreational activity, a kind of ballet camp. She will not be paid and gets no qualification at the end of it. I contacted the Embassy but they said they can't advise, only interview for a Visa if applied for.

Any thoughts welcomed. Thanks.

jcaron
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Rob
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1 Answers1

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As a practical matter, your daughter, if she travels to the US for a month, earns no money, and flies home (or at least out of the US) afterwards is not likely to run into any trouble if she travels under the Visa Waiver Program.

One of the activities which is explicitly allowed under a tourist visa or the visa waiver program is:

enrollment in a short recreational course of study, not for credit toward a degree (for example, a two-day cooking class while on vacation)

which seems to match very closely with your daughter's proposed activities.

If there is any doubt, it might be wise to contact the school where your daughter will be studying to seek their advice.

mlc
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