to think this cannot possibly be true? Working in New York??

[BurningWingsOfFlame]

Out to dinner tonight with a friend and she says that her husband has been offered the chance to work in New York.

I said wow, how long would he be out there??

She replied that she wasn't sure, but it was mentioned in the work email that it would either be a weekend, a couple of weeks or a year - depending on how long the person was willing to be there fore.

I worked in the US many years ago, and had to get a visa for that (4 months), and it was a faff, going to the embassy, lots of paperwork, very strict on what I could and couldn't do etc

I'm assuming that everyone needs a visa to work there and who the hell would go through all of that for just a weekend???

His job isn't even a specialist job either. I don't think she's lying but surely this can't be true??

You wouldn't need a visa for a weekend or a week trip, you can just go on the visa waiver program for up to 90 days

Even if you're planning on working?

Yep, business or tourism

Could he be working for his UK company over there? I think if he were, and getting paid in the UK, he wouldn't require a green card.

Not everyone who works for a UK company and whose work may from time to time take them to America needs a work visa. Work visas are required where the job could be done by an American.

In any event, it's fairly common for the company to organise the visa if one is required.

Just thought it was quite excessive to do all this for one weekend, cost of flights, accommodation etc.

When his job isn't a specialist job.

a weekend ... or a year.

Yeah, that sounds a bit 'out there'.

What was their response?

Do all what?

I worked in New York for 4 days. No Visa was necessary.
My company have their head office there. I'd say half of our workplace have been, at some point.
When I went, I took a temp with me!

There is no need for a visa for a weekend business trip! He's not likely to be actually transferred to a US company payroll for 2 days or even 2 weeks. Most likely as pp says he will be paid by UK company and so he's just on a business trip and you don't need a visa for that (up to 90 days)

A visa is required for anyone working even if you are paid in another country.
If you come on a Visa waiver as a tourist you aren't supposed to do any work even over the internet while here, there is some way to do a short business trip through I think that is allowed somehow under the VWP but you are supposed to declare that you are on a business trip and there are rules to what you can do while here. If you come very often on business they have a special visa (B I think) or you'll eventually get sent to secondary and turned around at immigration

People go all over the world for work trips every day. You think everyone needs a full working visa to go abroad for a couple of meetings? Don't be daft.

From website:
travel.state.gov/visa/temp/without/without_1990.html#travelertype

Which travelers may use the Visa Waiver Program to enter the United States?
The purpose of their stay in the United States is 90 days or less for tourism or business (Visitor (B) visa) purpose of travel.

It can easily be true. Is she going with him?

london.usembassy.gov/vwp3.html

Ok I stand corrected.

I obviously assumed wrong. I don't need 20 odd people pointing it out though

Eh? Why post on an Internet forum then??

you seem to missed the point of aibu entirely.

No I mean I was told with facts that I was wrong. Which I accept.

So there's no discussion really.

It doesn't take more people saying the same exact thing.

if you wanted one factual response you should have asked google instead

YABU it's quite common.

PS I know you've already been told but that's how the internet works :)

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable

or www.google.com

Google is quicker.

My DH got sent over for a couple of weeks. He didn't need a special visa so long as he wasn't joining a new company over there. Loads of people do it. What's the big deal?

'if you wanted one factual response you should have asked google instead'

You also sound a bit mean OP, rather than just puzzled.

'His job isn't even a specialist job either. I don't think she's lying but surely this can't be true??'

So her husband is either taking a business trip or moving.

Which is it?