Author Topic: Working in USA  (Read 3710 times)

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iamchristuffin

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Working in USA
« on: Jul 14, 2015, 01:53 pm »
Hello one and all,

I've been thinking more and more about trying to do a few contracts in the US, to spice things up a bit. However, I'm a British citizen.....

- How much of a barrier would my non-citizen status be?
- Would many companies be up for hiring someone from the UK?
- Could being a UK Equity member be a hindrance or a help in these situations?

I know this is a very broad question, but I'd love some thoughts from you guys before I look at applying for contracts...

TIA,

Chris

KMC

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Re: Working in USA
« Reply #1 on: Jul 14, 2015, 03:00 pm »
Obtaining a visa would be your biggest hurdle.  In order to draw a salary from a US Company you need a working visa of some type.  There are a few different types (H-1B, H-2B are the most common) and any of them will require a petition filed on behalf of the employer, in which they must prove a litany of reasons why the work cannot be executed by a US Citizen. 

B1 business visas are fairly easily obtainable, however they're intended for short term activities (e.g. coming to the US for a trade show) and you're not able to receive compensation or draw a salary from a US entity.

I'm by no means an immigration expert, but have picked up a few things working in a field with many different nationalities.  It really is too bad.  Our immigration system is completely broken.  We'll look the other way for some nationalities that come here illegally (in some cases actively promoting it), but we'll fight tooth and nail against those that wish to come here on the up and up (and pay taxes in the process).
Get action. Do things; be sane; don’t fritter away your time; create, act, take a place wherever you are and be somebody; get action. -T. Roosevelt

SMMeade

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Re: Working in USA
« Reply #2 on: Jul 15, 2015, 03:49 am »
As far as I know, AEA and British Equity have no reciprocal agreements in place, so you may have to join AEA in order to do any contracts with them. This was my understanding when I was an audition monitor, at least.

loebtmc

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Re: Working in USA
« Reply #3 on: Jul 16, 2015, 04:55 pm »
AEA and Canadian Equity have reciprocal agreements, but British Equity does not - it has to go thru (I believe it's the Aliens) committee and get all kinds of permissions. It has to do with similar numbers of union members working in each other's countries.

Maggie K

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Re: Working in USA
« Reply #4 on: Jul 17, 2015, 08:40 pm »
I worked with an actress who was originally a member of the British union.  AEA in the US did not recognize her as a member of the union and she had to earn her way through again.  She said it was a giant pain but because she was in the US to stay it was worth it in the end.
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