Is it legal to travel to the UK on a tourist visa to participate in a hackathon?
Is it possible for a non-EU national to visit the UK (on a tourist visa) to participate in a hackathon? The definition of a hackathon is:
A hackathon (also known as a hack day, hackfest or codefest) is an event in which computer programmers and others involved in software development and hardware development, including graphic designers, interface designers and project managers, collaborate intensively on software projects.
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At the end of hackathons, there is usually a series of demonstrations in which each group presents their results. There is sometimes a contest element as well, in which a panel of judges select the winning teams, and prizes are given.
Winning in a hackathon means the participant would receive a certain prize (usually monetary), which could potentially be equivalent to work. Another complication is that some hackathons provide travel reimbursement, which is essentially a small stipend to cover the costs of getting to the event.
Therefore the following three questions arise:
- Is it legal for a tourist to participate in a hackathon?
- Can they claim a prize during the process?
- Can they receive travel reimbursement for coming to the event?
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Do I need a visa to visit the UK as a tourist?
You must apply for a Standard Visitor visa online before you travel to the UK. A Standard Visitor visa costs \xa3100 for up to 6 months. The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel. If you visit the UK regularly, you can choose to apply for a long-term Standard Visitor visa instead.How are hackathons conducted?
A hackathon is a timed event in which teams made up of both technical and business experts get together to collaborate intensively on creative projects. The aim is to design, build and present the most innovative solution to a problem, and then pitch a final concept, prototype or presentation to the stakeholders.What is the purpose of hackathon?
The goal of a hackathon is to create functioning software or hardware by the end of the event. Hackathons tend to have a specific focus, which can include the programming language used, the operating system, an application, an API, or the subject and the demographic group of the programmers.How long can you stay in the US on a tourist visa?
When you enter the U.S., a customs officer will give you authorization to stay in the U.S. for up to six months. If you'd like to stay for longer, you may be able to apply to extend this for up to one year.UK Immigration : No More Delay for UK Visa | Fast Visa Processing for International Students | UKVI
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