Oaktree Pictorial wrote:
1. It is illegal to enter USA on a tourist visa and do any kind of work for money.

Same vice versa for US citizens in the EU.

Steve At Two Cats wrote:
If you can't play by the rules, stay out of the game.

If you can't play by the rules play in the hidden backyard... ;-)

Steve At Two Cats wrote:
If you can't play by the rules, stay out of the game.

Someone should have said that to Melania.

Oaktree Pictorial wrote:
If you are a model, not  a  US citizen and you plan to visit the USA be aware :

1. It is illegal to enter USA on a tourist visa and do any kind of work for money. That INCLUDES modeling. If the INS thinks you plan to work for pay during your visit, you can be refused entry. That just happened to an outstanding European model I was planning to shoot i the SF area..

Usually accompanied by a 10 year ban on entry to the USA for any purpose.

There is a model on this site, previously resident in the UK but now resident in the USA following marriage, who regularly reports overseas models she believes intend to visit the USA for work.

Steve At Two Cats wrote:
If you can't play by the rules, stay out of the game.

Please tell that to the Former Guy!

SayCheeZ!  wrote:

Someone should have said that to Melania.

Why do we always have to get political or bring politics into just about every conversation?  Sadly, this is what's driving people apart from each other.  There is no need for it.  Just stop.

TDSImages wrote:
Why do we always have to get political or bring politics into just about every conversation?  Sadly, this is what's driving people apart from each other.  There is no need for it.  Just stop.

Immigration policy is politics.

SayCheeZ!  wrote:
Steve At Two Cats wrote:

If you can't play by the rules, stay out of the game.
Someone should have said that to Melania.

Sometimes it helps if you sleep with the umpire . . .

Paolo D Photography wrote:
couple years ago same thing happened to a model coming to visit me from Canada.
they detained her for hours while they searched through all her stuff and then refused her entry.
cant say theyre not doing their job. she probably would have booked paid work without a visa. *shrugs*

The most beautiful models are definitely from Canada. I once asked an extremely beautiful model from Canada why everyone in Canada is so good looking regardless of their ethnicity or gender, regardless if they were born their or immigrated. She said she wasn't sure why but agreed that most Canadians are very attractive.

TomFRohwer wrote:

Immigration policy is politics.

We are not talking about immigration.  We are talking about models traveling to the US for paid work under the guise of visiting  on a tourist visa.

TDSImages wrote:

We are not talking about immigration.  We are talking about models traveling to the US for paid work under the guise of visiting  on a tourist visa.

And this is regulated by immigration policy... Of course it is politics whether somebody needs a work permit or can do paid jobs while visiting an foreign country for a short time.

Eternal Photos wrote:
...But how does the law handle a model and photographer who both come from outside (Europe / Canada / wherever) and signed their contracts in their local area and travel to US to shoot there....

In many (if not most) cases there's no Visa requirement.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel … ogram.html

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables most citizens or nationals of participating countries* to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa...

Otherwise a B-1 or one of these Visa types would probably be required:

P-1: Individual or Team Athlete, or Member of an Entertainment Group   
To perform at a specific athletic competition as an athlete or as a member of an entertainment group. Requires an internationally recognized level of sustained performance. Includes persons providing essential services in support of the above individual.

P-2: Artist or Entertainer (Individual or Group)   
For performance under a reciprocal exchange program between an organization in the United States and an organization in another country. Includes persons providing essential services in support of the above individual.

P-3: Artist or Entertainer (Individual or Group)    To perform, teach or coach under a program that is culturally unique or a traditional ethnic, folk, cultural, musical, theatrical, or artistic performance or presentation. Includes persons providing essential services in support of the above individual.

LnN Studio wrote:
Glad to see that they are enforcing laws and stopping a few models.
Now if they could just be half as diligent on the southern border where over a million have entered the country illegally and the been transported to the city of choice on the federal dime.

And once again the orange turd supporters raise their ugly heads

Eternal Photos wrote:
...But how does the law handle a model and photographer who both come from outside (Europe / Canada / wherever) and signed their contracts in their local area and travel to US to shoot there....

NakeyPiX wrote:
In many (if not most) cases there's no Visa requirement.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel … ogram.html

This is a great point. You can't come here seeking work, but you can come here to fulfill work (if in visa waiver countries). Ha, impractical for how creatives book gigs, but that's more of a pre-internet holdover of customs, not that impractical now.

tolerable purposes for business:


- consult with business associates
- attend a scientific, educational, professional, or business convention or conference
- attend short-term training (you may not be paid by any source in the United States with the exception of expenses incidental to your stay)
- negotiate a contract

lets negotiate release forms and call all shoots training? not sure about the payment part even if done in advance

anyway probably not worth testing that in a formal way, leaving models back to square one, maybe you get in through the border, maybe you don't

veypurr wrote:

The most beautiful models are definitely from Canada. I once asked an extremely beautiful model from Canada why everyone in Canada is so good looking regardless of their ethnicity or gender, regardless if they were born their or immigrated. She said she wasn't sure why but agreed that most Canadians are very attractive.

It is the rain. It keeps the skin soft and well hydrated.
For those on the west coast, Vancouver BC and surrounding area at least...

Britneyy_Ruiz wrote:
This is a very interesting discussion point & something I would really love to discuss in detail but the replies are so not it. As long as its a hobby and occasionally do paid shoots, I see no issue with people using the looks that god gave them to make ends meet.

Don't worry, no agency will touch anyone without papers.

Nobody else ever has bothered to ask.

Oaktree Pictorial wrote:
If you are a model, not  a  US citizen and you plan to visit the USA be aware :

1. It is illegal to enter USA on a tourist visa and do any kind of work for money. That INCLUDES modeling. If the INS thinks you plan to work for pay during your visit, you can be refused entry. That just happened to an outstanding European model I was planning to shoot i the SF area..

2. INS has gotten tech savvy. They read modeling websites, specifically including MM. They also go through phones.

3, Mum's the word.  It isn't a crime to post a travel notice on a website and not disclose you are a non-US citizen. Nor is it a crime to list your location as anyplace that works.

Weird, I've been living and working here for 13+ years, no probs, all while not being a US citizen.. 

Dea and the Beast wrote:
Don't worry, no agency will touch anyone without papers.

Thank you! its so relieving to see someone with basic human empathy in this thread.
Some of these replies are so disgusting and just another reason why Im hesitant to work with any photographer
besides my husband. Some of these same photographers work is also very telling about them and only reinforces my opinion about weird photographers that are only willing to work with you if you're okay with shooting nudity.

Dea and the Beast wrote:
Don't worry, no agency will touch anyone without papers.

Your comment is unnecessary, and has a racist tone to it.  An agency might provide a work visa to a traveling model if requirements are meant for obtaining the visa.  Otherwise models and others often find ways of working without needing to go through agencies. Trying to keep it in the positive, Britneyy Ruiz is new on the forums, so please play nice.

Britneyy_Ruiz wrote:
Thank you! its so relieving to see someone with basic human empathy in this thread.
Some of these replies are so disgusting and just another reason why Im hesitant to work with any photographer
besides my husband. Some of these same photographers work is also very telling about them and only reinforces my opinion about weird photographers that are only willing to work with you if you're okay with shooting nudity.

There really are more kind people in this World than mean people.  Although I don't know either you or Dea and the Beast, however she is a long time model here. There are a few husband & wife photographer/model teams out there, but most people work with others in addition to their spouse as so to expand their creative horizons, and increase their ability to make a greater income.  You have choices to make, and one such choice is whether or not to model for nudes.  If you don't like a photographers work, it's simple .. don't shoot with them.  It is certainly NOT the primary work I do, but I've photographed nudes, and I do not think badly of models who choose to pose nude or not pose nude.  I do pay models in either case, but depending on the various circumstances, I do have a pay scale which may mean a higher pay for nudity. 

This topic of traveling models is interesting, as I plan on doing some traveling, so what about us photographers who plan to travel?

Patrick Walberg wrote:
Your comment is unnecessary, and has a racist tone to it.

Ex- fucking - cuse me?!?!?!
Try again, Patrick!

Why don't you hit up a few people who DO know me, and then you can spout about me and my intonations, how's that?

Patrick Walberg wrote:
An agency might provide a work visa to a traveling model if requirements are meant for obtaining the visa.

You work for the USCIS? Do you know what it's like to get a visa here? Do they give work permits for workers they have zero need for or..?

Patrick Walberg wrote:
Trying to keep it in the positive, Britneyy Ruiz is new on the forums, so please play nice.

Guess what YOU don't get do to....


OP is full of it too, why give immigration or visa advice or 'warnings', just to be extra shitty to people? Not even correct information.

Britneyy_Ruiz wrote:
Thank you! its so relieving to see someone with basic human empathy in this thread.
Some of these replies are so disgusting and just another reason why Im hesitant to work with any photographer
besides my husband. Some of these same photographers work is also very telling about them and only reinforces my opinion about weird photographers that are only willing to work with you if you're okay with shooting nudity.

It's pretty  much what's up. If you don't shoot nudes, or at least implied, "why choose you", there are a million girls who look like you (of course they do not, but for the purpose of photography and what the stylist can do, you get my meaning, I'm sure), so if you don't have something 'extra' (like ballet, or you're an award winning barefoot water skier, or flaming chainsaw juggler, or something..), it'll be hard to get paid work. 

I shoot and always have shot nudes, I'm European, so we don't sexualize absolutely everything, so to me it's never been a big deal. That being said, we are in the US of A, where a breastfeeding mother can be the object of so many discussions, hatred, and devious behavior, it's fucking disturbing.

Of course I get assaulted more than the average bear, being that I am in a vulnerable state already, many try take liberties, since I must be 'easy', so the weeding out of the nonsense becomes more intense, but it also pays the mortgage.

I am setting up home studio with my man this week, I am about done dealing with the riffraff altogether too.

But look through my port if you like, and if you're feeling it and have the opportunity, I HIGHLY recommend hitting up a few of the ones I shot with in your area (I used to live in San Diego, shot all up and down the coast into Oregon back in the day), they'll make your nude shoot experience what it should be (professional and comfortable).
HMU for my short list. And don't despair, models have been screaming the same things at photographers on here for .. wow, it's been literally more than a decade now...

NakeyPiX wrote:

In many (if not most) cases there's no Visa requirement.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel … ogram.html

Otherwise a B-1 or one of these Visa types would probably be required:

P-1: Individual or Team Athlete, or Member of an Entertainment Group   
To perform at a specific athletic competition as an athlete or as a member of an entertainment group. Requires an internationally recognized level of sustained performance. Includes persons providing essential services in support of the above individual.

P-2: Artist or Entertainer (Individual or Group)   
For performance under a reciprocal exchange program between an organization in the United States and an organization in another country. Includes persons providing essential services in support of the above individual.

P-3: Artist or Entertainer (Individual or Group)    To perform, teach or coach under a program that is culturally unique or a traditional ethnic, folk, cultural, musical, theatrical, or artistic performance or presentation. Includes persons providing essential services in support of the above individual.

It seems discriminatory that someone can work in the US for a limited time as a member of a band or their road crew, but not as a model.

JSouthworth wrote:
It seems discriminatory that someone can work in the US for a limited time as a member of a band or their road crew, but not as a model.

They can. They require either an H1-B3 or an O-1B visa.

P R E S T O N wrote:

Usually accompanied by a 10 year ban on entry to the USA for any purpose.

There is a model on this site, previously resident in the UK but now resident in the USA following marriage, who regularly reports overseas models she believes intend to visit the USA for work.

The model you are speaking of was also working here prior to marriage, if it's the same one I'm thinking of.
We tell models to make sure she's blocked on here and other websites because she's gotten several models banned.

Oaktree Pictorial wrote:
If you are a model, not  a  US citizen and you plan to visit the USA be aware :

1. It is illegal to enter USA on a tourist visa and do any kind of work for money. That INCLUDES modeling. If the INS thinks you plan to work for pay during your visit, you can be refused entry. That just happened to an outstanding European model I was planning to shoot i the SF area..

2. INS has gotten tech savvy. They read modeling websites, specifically including MM. They also go through phones.

3, Mum's the word.  It isn't a crime to post a travel notice on a website and not disclose you are a non-US citizen. Nor is it a crime to list your location as anyplace that works.

Same with working in Europe, Canada...just about everywhere outside your country of citizenship.

Reasons to:
Work under a pseudonym
Have a personal IG account and log out of the professional one when traveling through airports
Don't make your profile here visible publicly
Delete texts that discuss work, log out of email accounts where you discuss work/delete the email app when in airports
Log out of any apps with financial info
Have two-factor authentication (preferably with some sort of authenticator app) on every app with your personal info
Confine business spending to one credit card and delete that app off your phone
Don't show up to any airport/country border looking great. Don't look awful, but don't look great. I used to wear very modest and boring clothing, carry a very cheap/off brand bag, wear no makeup, hair up. This is the best way to travel, I think, in any situation where you'll be in an unfamiliar area and don't know what kind of situations you'll encounter. Sticking out is usually a bad thing. If you notice a lot of people looking at you, you messed up. Everything about you should read as very regular in regards to your physical appearance - includes erratic behavior, drunkenness, being high, etc.
PACK CLOTHES. ACTUAL CLOTHES. I've heard stories of models getting banned from the US because they tried to travel here with a bag full of lingerie and no clothes. Just unbearably stupid behavior. "They thought I was a prostitute." Yes, I'm sure they did. You weren't exactly going to go to museums in fancy panties, and they assumed you were going to use the intimate items in the way most people do.
Have a good backstory and know where you are staying in each country/state
Know the tourist destinations of the area you are going to as well. If you're going to Washington DC, showing up not knowing what The Smithsonian is, is going to be ridiculous. Showing up in France and not planning to visit the Eiffel Tower? Weird. Showing up in Toronto and don't know what the CN Tower is? Failure. So what are you there for...

Not that I have ever done this of course.
I do keep personal accounts and professional accounts very separate though. I could delete all evidence of modeling off of my phone very quickly just by logging out of a few profiles, deleting one email app, and deleting a few text threads.

The most difficult country to get away with this, from what I've heard, is Australia. And I'm guessing New Zealand is also difficult.
Australia also has a lot more leeway as far as invasions of privacy go - the most out of the "five eyes" (Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA, UK). It's why a lot of business people with more confidential information don't take company laptops into the country and will instead take a shell laptop to use after they get through security.
They can legally demand you hand over passcodes to devices and will take them to another room to look through them. Something to be aware of, for anyone, who is traveling to Australia. The Customs Act allows Australian Border Patrol to go through any of your devices, at length in privacy. They can do this to Australian citizens as well - and have. There are numerous articles about this online.

It looks like they can do this in the US and Canada to a certain extent as well if you are a non-citizen.
I'm guessing the European Union is the only place that might not do this to non-citizens? Something to think about when traveling abroad.

Simon M Robson wrote:
I am not a USA citizen but I assume . . .

Mark Salo wrote:

Getting given gold or art is what traders do worldwide to avoid tax. Trust me it will be legal because otherwise they would need to tax the stock market traders heavily and the rich and powerful would not want that. Otherwise they would need to tax you for fruit or free meals if given and so if you have paid tax on a free meal given when modelling then i am wrong but if not I am right.

Simon M Robson wrote:
Trust me it will be legal...

Do yourself a favour.  Don't EVER repeat your theories to a customs / immigration officer, or to a Judge, or your certified accountant, or any potential customers you are interested in working with in other countries.  I.E.  "I'm not working" in the country that I want to enter because "I'm volunteering" "in exchange for gold", which means that it "doesn't really count..."

It will not end well.

It always seems to come as a complete surprise to people that really promote this sort of stuff, when they end up in jail, and / or permanently barred from entering various countries, etc.

And by the way, despite your claims, various side benefits included with employment are ALREADY taxable, and have been for a long time.  It's just that they're not that interested in wasting a bunch of enforcement efforts on the much "smaller" stuff within that category.