I'm new to this and to the country and I would prefer not to provide any work-related details for screening (I'm more than willing to show the provider IDs in person but I don't want to risk giving out any more information online/over the phone as I am here on a visa). Can anyone tell me how I can proceed?

verify or vouch for you, work info will be usually required to make sure you claim you are who you say you are, nothing more. If you find a provider who is a 'top' tier, this shouldn't be an issue. It is for your safety as well as the safety of the provider in question that you give this info if you are unable to provide any other references. At first it yes, may seem a bit daunting, however, if in the right hands, 'trust' begins with the word hello in this game. At times however, work info is not imperative being a newbie, all situations are different and all screening practices are different. Just depends who you select, what kind of 'experience' you are seeking overall.  

There are many ladies on BP and on here who barely screen at all, good luck with that and be safe.  

T.

Start from scratch. Join P411. Then search for P411 gals who see newbies. Book and then have them okay you. Post a review. Repeat process until you have five OKs on P411. Then branch out. But always be on your best behavior as a gentleman with every gal. Play nice, fuck 'em good. And make those women cuuuuum. That's the best way I know to lock in thumbs-up referrals.

Also consider joining date-check it is another good site that can and will help. As someone already mentioned this good for both you and the provider. And let's not forget using this site and posting honest reviews for the ladies. Hopefully several will white list you once they get to know you.
Hope I have been helpful.

P411 is essential, yes, we can agree on that point. That's personally the only site I trust and use. If you are a P411 gentleman, you get first dibs.  

Second and I quote "fuck'em good" and make us "cuuuuum"...hahahahhahahahahahahahahahahah you are joking right Doc...come on, if you know anything about women, it doesn't work like that haha.  

But again, have a great experience 'naturally', enjoy yourself and have fun, be safe.  

T. (that did give me a good giggle Doc LOL on this dreary day)

Oh pahhleeese Doc......P411 advice was spot on, advice on the ladies not so much!

Still laughing

Firstly, thank you all for the quick replies!

I wanted to join P411 but I am absolutely petrified about giving my work details (I work in a startup with 8 other people and the CEO is my immediate supervisor so I can not risk them getting a phone call from someone). I'm just thinking out loud here, but do any of you know if it is probable that a newbie friendly provider would agree to meet me in a public place (of her choosing) and screen me and decide for herself? I would be willing to show her my ID, of course.

While it is possible that you might find a lady who will meet you in public, just like you might find a lady who doesn't screen carefully, it probably will NOT be the type of lady you will wish to meet.  Remember that anyone can get a fake ID, and therefore any ID is useless without some information to compare it to.  

Even if you get verified by P411, many if not most ladies will still want some information if you don't have references.  If you stick with well reviewed and established ladies, they are just as interested in discretion as you are.  Assuming you DO get phone calls at work, why would one more arouse any suspicion?  They will not call and say they are verifying you to see and escort!  It will be something innocuous like confirming a dentist appointment, if they have to call at all.  I would suggest calling P411 rather than applying online.  Explain your situation to them.  There may be other ways for them to creatively verify your information.

And then you don't have to give out that info again. Otherwise, you're going to be stuck with backpage girls. That's not a great option either - I refuse to take references from BP girls, and it is a rare occasion when I'll accept agency references.  

There's plenty of ways to verify employment info - here's a good one: "Hi, I'm Jennifer, calling from the Smithsonian Foundation. Mr. So and So has been a donor in the past, and I'm hoping to speak with him about our annual giving campaign. Is he in?" Then, if you're not in, I wouldn't leave a message - I just say I'll call back later. It's no big deal.  

Discretion is the name of the game on both ends, ladies have a lot to lose as well if there's some breach of privacy. I require everyone I meet to meet me in a public place initially, regardless of how well they're screened or recommended, because you honestly never know what you're walking in to. Your offering to do that is helpful, but not enough.

Yes, it's scary diving right in to the deep end - but you have to just close your eyes and go for it.

I have not had any luck yet but I'm still trying to go through the meet and greet route to find providers and get references.  If I do not make much headway, then I'll probably give in and get p411 verified.

EasyTimes- they need work info to verify me. There is no other way (unless I have references from providers).