Visa for sport

[alan]

Need help.

My 17 year old UK passport holder son has been asked to train/play Ice Hockey for a team in the US.
He leaves the UK on August 1st, allowed to come back to the UK for a week at Christmas, and return to us after the season closes in April 2006.

He could go out & back on the 90 day VWP I think. Not sure how many times.

He could initially go out on the VWP, fly back to the UK for an interview at the US embassy to get a B1 visa. This will allow him to go back on the B1 (assumed granted) but not sure how many time he can keep going back on the B1. Will he need to fly out (just like the VWP) of the US and then return again for another 6 month period.

I’m told getting him into a High school (SEVIS approved) would be best.
Problem is trying to find an appropriate school in the area he is playing.

Any advice guys?
Regards,
Alan

[steph_goodrum]

Alan

You could try asking Bunac at www.bunac.org they arrange working holidays and study programmes for 18 -35 year olds and are very knowledgeable about the visas. They may even be able to sponsor his SEVIS application. I'm not sure the B1 visa is the one he actually needs to enable him to study over there, there is a cultural exchange one which may be relevant.

My 18 year old daughter is working in Marthas Vineyard for the summer and they organised her SEVIS sponsorship and J1 Visa (she obviously had to go for interview still) etc. If they can't help I'm sure they will be able to point you in the right direction.

[blott]

Not sure but this sounds as if it might be the appropriate visa http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/niv/interns.html or even a student visa http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/niv/students.html