1. The National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange presents...
International Travel with a Personal Attendant

2. Introduction
What is the National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange (NCDE)?
What is a PA / PCA?

3. Presenters Justin Harford MIUSA Program Coordinator Sergio Taleisnik
Argentinian University Student
Abigail Lehner
CIEE Communications Coordinator

4. Disclaimer We are not immigration lawyers.
The information provided in this presentation is based on our personal experience.
It should only be used as a guide to facilitate understanding the process of taking a personal assistant into the USA or going abroad. We cannot guarantee that it will be accurate for your situation.
We strongly advised that you carefully research relevant regulations for your destination, and feel free to reach out to us if we can help in that search.

5. Coming to the US with a personal assistant
(AND NOT STRESSING SO MUCH)

6. Outline Coming to the US 1.Finding an assistant 2.Securing funding
3.Getting the assistant a B1 Visa
4.Entering the US with your assistant – going through CBP
5.Requesting an EAD for your assistant
6.Maintaining status of your assistant
7.Particularities of the relationship with a long-term personal assistant

7. 1. Finding an assistant What to look for What not to look for
Gender? Age? Smoker? Organized? It’s personal
Emotionally stable
Excitement about traveling
Compatible lifestyle
What not to look for
Looking only at the money
Too picky from the very beginning

8. 2. Securing funding What type of expenses will your assistant require?
Monthly salary
Round trip
Health insurance
Lodging
Food
Immigration documents
Extras: phone, vehicle
Ideas for obtaining funding for assistant
Private entities
Friends and family

9. 3.1 Getting the assistant a B1 Visa
Personal or domestic employees who are accompanying or following to join an employer in the United States are eligible for B-1 visas. Employer can be on B, E, F, H, I, J, L, M, O, P, or Q status.
Requirements:
The employee has a residence abroad which he or she has no intention of abandoning
The employee can demonstrate at least one year’s experience as a personal employee or domestic worker
The employee has been employed abroad by the employer as a personal employee or domestic worker for at least one year prior to the date of the employer’s admission to the United States or if the employee-employer relationship existed immediately prior to the time of visa application, the employer can demonstrate that he or she has regularly employed (either year-round or seasonally) personal employees or domestic worker’s over a period of several years preceding the domestic employee’s visa application for a nonimmigrant B-1 visa;

10. 3.2 Getting the assistant a B1 Visa
More requirements:
The applicant must have an employment contract that has been signed and dated by the employer and employee, and the contract must include the following provisions:
The employee will receive the greater of the minimum wage under U.S. federal, state, or local law
The employee will receive free room and board;
The employer will be the only provider of employment to the employee; and
The employer must pay the domestic’s initial travel expenses to the United States, and subsequently to the employer’s onward assignment, or to the employee’s country of normal residence at the termination of the assignment.
Good to include:
Doctor’s certificate
Sponsor and university letter
Show where the money comes from

11. 4. Entering the US with your assistant
Fly and go through customs together
Make the employer go first through customs
Have all documentation ready
Stay next to your employee when he’s speaking with the official
Stay calm
IMPORTANT: KINDLY REQUEST A STAY LONGER THAN THE STANDARD THREE MONTHS

12. 5. Requesting an EAD for your assistant
Certain foreign nationals who are in the United States may file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, to request employment authorization and an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
Do it as soon as you arrive!
Read the instructions carefully
Add as much evidence as you can (similar to the visa application process)
The processing takes time
You’ll receive a notice by US Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS) letting you know they’re processing the form

13. 6. Maintaining status of your assistant
If you want to extend your stay in the United States, you must file a request before your authorized period of stay expires. If you stay in the United States after your authorized period of stay has expired, you may be barred from returning and/or you may be removed (deported) from the United States.
Do it well ahead of time
Read the instructions carefully
Add as much as evidence as you can (similar to the visa application process)
The processing takes time
You’ll receive a notice by USCIS letting you know they’re processing the form

14. 7. Particularities of the relationship with a long-term personal assistant
This is not a traditional employer-employee relationship
Consider your assistant’s needs
Be tolerant
Become friends?

15. Going outside the US with a personal care assistant
Traveling abroad as a US citizen to Berlin, Germany for an 8-week internship

16. Outline Going outside the US
For what purpose are you allowed to bring a PA?
Funding, housing, meals, and other accommodations
How to manage a lot of one-on-one time
Communicating your needs
Documentation
General travel tips as a wheelchair user

17. Going abroad for an Internship
As a student...
How traveling abroad for ‘educational purposes’ allowed PA accompaniment
Paying for PA’s flights, housing, & other accommodations...
CIEE - Program Provider
Other cost factors: transportation, meals, travel insurance
Scholarships: APPLY!

18. While in Berlin Managing PA services...
Duration of exchange: 2 months
1 PA for 5 weeks; 1 PA for 3 weeks
How to schedule hours
Open communication & compromise...
Clearly defining your needs and expectations
Understanding the needs of your PA - they’re human too!

19. Other important factors to consider
Documentation to bring...
Proof of Purpose (ex… acceptance letter from university/internship)
Medical Documentation
Contracts & other sign agreements
Travel Tips! Keep in mind...
Phone plan: keep your current plan or get a new phone?
Bank Information
Transportation & accessibility
Language & Vocabulary
Back-Up Emergency Plan...

20. Contact Justin Harford jharford@miusa.org Sergio Taleisnik
Abigail Lehner

21. Questions PA? What’s that?
Can a PA be a friend, family member or fellow program participant?
Who pays for a PA and how?
How long can a student be abroad with their personal attendant?
How do we work with our overseas partners in supporting PCAs?