[krokofilen]

I think the answer is NO… But just to be sure – will they check for visa upon taking the exam? (Not at the border control, but the test center)

Also – what would be the appropriate visa to have in order to take the exams (regardless of the test center or the border control asking for purpose of trip and visa)? I am not a student, and have not applied for a study visa as I believe the CPA exam would not qualify anyways, but correct me if I am wrong. I hold a business/tourist visa, but not sure if I should say “take exam” or just “business” upon being questioned about the purpose of my trip… Both sound wrong and could trigger a million follow-up questions from the border control officer, who is not likely tl know what a CPA exam is.

Big 4 Audit Manager from Europe here to pass the CPA in the U.S. of A in 2014! Niiice!

AUD - 95 / Jul 15 / 130h over 4 weeks
FAR - 86 / Aug 14 / 240h over 4 weeks
(11 week break)

REG - 81 / Nov 14 / 200h over 4 weeks
BEC - 87 / Nov 17 / 30 h over 2.5 days

[M.O.D.]

Prometric test center just checks your passport as an Identification only.

I used my US passport and they only looked at the picture page, not at the visas.

Just tell the border agent you are here for your business/profession, to take the CPA accounting exam. Most Americans know what a CPA is. Border agents are not stupid. Act like a professional, treat him with intelligence and respect and he will reply in kind.

A tourist/business visa allows you to take exams.

BA Mathematics, UC Berkeley
Certificates in CPA and EA preparation, College of San Mateo
CMA I 420, II 470
FAR 91, AUD Feb 2015 (Gleim self-study)

[Anonymous]

B1/B2 is US visa for personal pleasure or business. I used to have that before.

At the POE [Point of Entry] when asked, simply answer: I am here for business!

When the officer asks you to explain, then answer you have an appointment with Prometric Office for Uniform US CPA Board Examination.

[krokofilen]

M.O.D. – no, totally make sense, why would they check for your visas if you have a US passport? Not sure if you missunderstood my question – I am not American and hence do not hold an American passport or ID. I don't expect them to check for my visa though, but comparing my situation with yours as an American passport holder does not make sense.

Also think you have a little too high thoughts about the US border staff… I am sure these guys are really nice when you enter, but they are not when you enter on anything else but an American passport. Sorry to say so. So better be a little prepared, than being sent back on another 10 hour flight.

Big 4 Audit Manager from Europe here to pass the CPA in the U.S. of A in 2014! Niiice!

AUD - 95 / Jul 15 / 130h over 4 weeks
FAR - 86 / Aug 14 / 240h over 4 weeks
(11 week break)

REG - 81 / Nov 14 / 200h over 4 weeks
BEC - 87 / Nov 17 / 30 h over 2.5 days

[Anonymous]

I'm on a work visa here. At the test center, they will definitely not check your visa. 1) You're not required to show your visa, 2) They wouldn't know what to look for anyway. They're not trained to work with visas. 3) They don't care about your immigration status. They're there to make sure that you're the person who applied and that you're not taking the exam for somebody else.

Have your passport with you as a Primary ID. It should be in English, have your photo and signature, NOT EXPIRED. They might ask for a second ID. I think I have been asked before a long time ago but I've been taking the exam at the same place for years so I'm already in the system and they just ask for my driver's license (I have one now). If you have a VISA/MASTER CARD credit/debit/ATM card with a signature on the back and your name on the front, it should be enough. These are their requirements from NTS:

Primary Forms of Identification:

– Valid (not expired) government issued driver's license with photograph and signature. The license must be printed in

English to the extent required to compare the name with the one on the NTS and to confirm validity.

– Valid (not expired) state identification card with a recent photograph and signature issued by one of the fifty U.S.

states or by a U.S. territory. (Candidates who do not drive may have an identification card issued by the agency which

also issues driver's licenses.)

!!! – Valid (not expired) government issued passport with a recent photograph and signature.

– United States military identification card with a recent photograph and signature.

Secondary Forms of Identification:

– Additional government issued identification from the above list.

– Accountancy Board-issued identification.

!!! – Valid credit card (with signature).

– Bank automated teller machine (ATM) card (with signature).

– Valid bank debit card (with signature)

Anyway, don't even bring the whole visa thing up. Give them a passport. If they need something else, be prepared to show ATM card as a Secondary ID. Make sure to print the back of NTS as well to show them the guidelines I included above, in case they don't know what to do. You never know. But, honestly, I never had a problem or was asked for a visa or second ID.

[krokofilen]

Great, thanks. Didn't expect it to be a problem as it would be really odd if they did in fact care about the visa, but just wanted to be 100% sure.

Big 4 Audit Manager from Europe here to pass the CPA in the U.S. of A in 2014! Niiice!

AUD - 95 / Jul 15 / 130h over 4 weeks
FAR - 86 / Aug 14 / 240h over 4 weeks
(11 week break)

REG - 81 / Nov 14 / 200h over 4 weeks
BEC - 87 / Nov 17 / 30 h over 2.5 days

[Author]

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