J1 Visa and ESTA for the US
I have booked flights to the US on the 29th of June but my J1 visa does not begin until the 19/08. Do I just apply for an ESTA Visa to cover for the time before the exchange period?
Best Answer
Assuming the 19th August is the start date of your program, you can't enter the US in J-1 status until 30 days before the program starts.
To enter in June, you will indeed need an ESTA, but bear in mind that if you enter under the Visa Waiver Program (i.e. with an ESTA), you'll need to exit the US and re-enter using the J-1 before you can begin your program.
You might theoretically be able to avoid this and change status within the US, but that will almost certainly be more hassle than heading to Canada for a day or two.
This thread on Lonely Planet forums has some more info.
Pictures about "J1 Visa and ESTA for the US"
Do I need ESTA if I have J-1 visa?
Individuals traveling on valid visas are not required to apply for ESTA.Can I enter the US with a J-1 visa?
Once you have obtained your J-1 visa, you are ready to travel to the U.S. Immigration regulations allow you to enter the U.S. no earlier than 30 days prior to the start date of your program indicated in Section 3 of your SEVIS Form DS-2019.Do you need an ESTA and a visa for USA?
What's an ESTA? An ESTA (officially known as the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) lets you visit the US for less than 90 days without needing a visa \u2013 as long as it's for a holiday or a business trip.Can I enter the US with an ESTA visa?
An approved ESTA allows you to travel to a U.S. port-of-entry (generally an airport) and request permission to enter the United States, but an approved ESTA does not guarantee entry into the United States.How To Get a J-1 Visa in USA
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Stephen Taylor, Roberto Nickson, Dellon Thomas, Cole Keister