US Visa - can you re enter with an esta? (1 Viewer)

[jongood]

We ve been thinking of going to US for some time with the intention of spending significant time MHing, either renting or possibly buying.

We ve considered getting a full visa, but have heard first hand what a pain the interview is; My sister-in-law ( white, financially secure, middle class christian) spent over 6 hours in the US embassy waiting for hers, during which time she wasnt allowed phone etc and could not take food in.

We would be happy with 3 months at a time but would want to re-enter up to twice a year and are wondering if this is possible with an ESTA ( aka VWP)

We ve been combing the US visa but cant find the answer to the question. Does anyone here know please?

Jon

 

[DuxDeluxe]

Re - entering with an ESTA is no problem, I've done it loads of times - you just need to update the address on line of where you are staying the night that you arrive. Don't know how this works if you are RV'ing but the address of an RV park is similar to a hotel address

 

[Theonlysue]

You could contact the embassy.

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[RowleyBirkinQC]

I've re-entered the USA multiple times on an ESTA for work.

 

[Langtoftlad]

My sister-in-law ( white, financially secure, middle class christian) spent over 6 hours in the US embassy waiting for hers, during which time she wasnt allowed phone etc and could not take food
Jon

With all due respect - what on earth do those "attributes" have to do with anything ???

I had my visas renewed in September
Choose the 8am appointment - get in the queue around 7am - make sure all your documents are in order - bring a different photo just in case.
Just make sure you follow all the requirements.

I was out before 9am

Security has changed - phones, kindles etc are allowed.
Food & drinks are available from their snack kiosk.

Do you need a visa?
Broken Link Removed

ESTA Validity:
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"Unless revoked, travel authorizations are valid for two years from the date of authorization, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. The Authorization Approved screen displays your travel authorization expiration date.
Your ESTA authorization is generally valid for multiple trips over a period of two years (starting the date that you are approved) or until your passport expires, whichever comes first*. This means that as long as you received an ESTA authorization to travel, you do not have to reapply during the validity period.
If your ESTA expires while in the U.S. it will not affect your departure.

Security:
http://london.usembassy.gov/visas_security.html



Google is your friend
Hope this helps

 

[jongood]

Thanks @Langtoftlad

I thought Id combed the visa pages and I didnt see this. dohhhh!

Jon

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[funflair]

We ve been thinking of going to US for some time with the intention of spending significant time MHing, either renting or possibly buying.

We ve considered getting a full visa, but have heard first hand what a pain the interview is; My sister-in-law ( white, financially secure, middle class christian) spent over 6 hours in the US embassy waiting for hers, during which time she wasnt allowed phone etc and could not take food in.

We would be happy with 3 months at a time but would want to re-enter up to twice a year and are wondering if this is possible with an ESTA ( aka VWP)

We ve been combing the US visa but cant find the answer to the question. Does anyone here know please?

Jon

OOOOOO you dont want to go there you will loose the use of your legs and get fat, and did you know they shoot people and and and.

Martin

 

[Gaston aires]

Estas last 2 years. You can enter as much as you like but be sure to leave the US on time every time. Going there in a fortnight to see my son.
hil

 

[Gaston aires]

OOOOOO you dont want to go there you will loose the use of your legs and get fat, and did you know they shoot people and and and.

Martin

You have been watching to many " Deliverance films" Going to see my son in a fortnight in Connecticut for Halloween and the fall.
What do the mountain people do for Halloween ? They stay at home and "pumpkin"
Hi Martin, just back from a 6 week trip in the Croatia region. Van performed beautifully.
Regards Phil

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[Mother Ship]

Estas last 2 years. You can enter as much as you like but be sure to leave the US on time every time. Going there in a fortnight to see my son.
hil

I think you'll find you are not correct. I have a relative who has spent the winter in Florida for past 7 years and on ESTA goes for 90 days, comes out and then returns for another 90 days (the maximum allowed in one year) This year he actually did a 2 week trip to USA in summer and on entering a week ago was challenged at immigration of exceeding his annual allowance.

 

[DuxDeluxe]

I think you'll find you are not correct. I have a relative who has spent the winter in Florida for past 7 years and on ESTA goes for 90 days, comes out and then returns for another 90 days (the maximum allowed in one year) This year he actually did a 2 week trip to USA in summer and on entering a week ago was challenged at immigration of exceeding his annual allowance.

But the ESTA itself is valid for 2 years. How long you can stay is a different matter - but the number of actual entries is unlimited within that period.

 

[jongood]

What I dont understand is - Why do they make it difficult for us to visit?

( no personal remarks please chaps)

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[Mother Ship]

But the ESTA itself is valid for 2 years. How long you can stay is a different matter - but the number of actual entries is unlimited within that period.

The number of actual entries is unlimited dependant on time spent when you do enter

 

[DuxDeluxe]

The number of actual entries is unlimited dependant on time spent when you do enter

........correct. I thought that was obvious

 

[Detnor]

They have rules and they stick to them. I was chief purser on various cruise ships dealing with immigration on a weekly basis It never varies, if it is 90 days then that is it. They dont make it hard, just dont try to bend rules. Queues at immigration are another issue.

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[DuxDeluxe]

What I dont understand is - Why do they make it difficult for us to visit?

( no personal remarks please chaps)

USA is like a magnet for people from lesser developed countries and the USA want to keep economic migrants out; they do have a differing attitude to security (not necessarily right).

If you are unhappy about immigration queues in USA (as I have been, many, many times) then ask an American about getting into Heathrow on a busy day. Exactly the same experience. The ESTA visa waiver programme has really improved things though, but you are really really lucky to arrive in the baggage hall anytime before your bags have been around the carousel a few times and taken off by the staff and stacked in the middle

 

[Mother Ship]

........correct. I thought that was obvious

Obvious to those that know but thought that the point of the forum is answering queries and being more helpful/informative with clear facts for people investigating something maybe for the first time.

 

[DuxDeluxe]

Obvious to those that know but thought that the point of the forum is answering queries and being more helpful/informative with clear facts for people investigating something maybe for the first time.

Correct

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[jongood]

The number of actual entries is unlimited dependant on time spent when you do enter

So, Is there a stipulation of the maximum amount of days in any given period or the life of the ESTA? and is there any guidance regarding how long you need to leave the country prior to re-entry?

Jon

 

[Mother Ship]

So, Is there a stipulation of the maximum amount of days in any given period or the life of the ESTA? and is there any guidance regarding how long you need to leave the country prior to re-entry?

Jon

"Approved ESTA applications are valid for a period of two years, or until the passport expires, whichever comes first, and multiple trips to the United States without the traveler having to re-apply for another ESTA. When traveling to the U.S. with the approved ESTA, you may only stay for up to 90 days at a time - and there should be a reasonable amount of time between visits so that the CBP Officer does not think you are trying to live here. There is no set requirement for how long you must wait between visits." quoted from
Broken Link Removed

 

[Mother Ship]

BEWARE although immigration may accept many 90 days at a time in a year, if one is longer than 180 days in a year in USA there then become a load of other implications under other USA laws like being liable for tax and seen as resident not visitor. Know people caught out with these.

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[DiggerJon]

Remember to hand in the green card they give you on entry so they know you left. I forgot once when crossing Canada for the day and I have never had a more torrid time trying to get back in to the US afterwards!

 

[Gaston aires]

What I dont understand is - Why do they make it difficult for us to visit?

( no personal remarks please chaps)

They dont make it difficult. The esta system is quite easy and cheap. India charge over £ 100 and you have to send off your passports. Russia ! forget it !
Phil