Travelling to the US, Mexico and Central America (with a VWP for the US)
Ok this might be hard to word but I'll try. My partner and I travelled the US for 7 weeks and then left for Mexico. We have been here for 5 weeks and about to head on to Central America.
I am wondering if we have to leave Mexico before the 90 day time frame is up on our ESTA (VWP) in order to be allowed re-entry to the US (in another 6 weeks after Central America) or if we are fine to re-enter as we left the States before the 90 day period was up and won't be returning until after we have been through Central America.
Any answers on this would be great! :)
Best Answer
I am wondering if we have to leave Mexico before the 90 day time frame is up on our esta (VWP) in order to be allowed re-entry to the US.
No.
or if we are fine to re-enter as we left the states before the 90 day period was up and won't be returning until after we have been through Central.
Yes.
The rules concerning trips to Mexico (among other countries) are intended to prevent people from using such trips to circumvent the 90-day limit on VWP visits, and these rules actually leave quite a lot of discretion in the hands of the immigration officer. The likelihood of your being teamed to the US will depend in part on how long you plan to stay, which you haven't mentioned here, but from the information you've given us there's nothing that would automatically prevent you from reentering. The timing of your travel from Mexico to Central America is not relevant.
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Can I travel to the U.S. with a waiver?
US Waivers enable a foreign national to travel to the United States with a criminal record that would otherwise render them ineligible to cross the border. A US Travel Waiver requires a person to get fingerprinted in order to obtain their Royal Canadian Mounted Police or RCMP criminal file via Form C-216C.Can I enter the U.S. with an ESTA from Mexico?
If you are a citizen of a country that participates in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), and you enter the U.S. by land from Mexico or Canada, you are only required to complete the paper I-94W form at the land border crossing. ESTA is currently required for air and cruise ship travel only.Is Mexico part of the Visa Waiver Program?
See the CBP website. Citizens of VWP countries* who reside in Mexico, Canada, or a nearby island are generally exempted from the requirement to show onward travel to another country* when entering the United States. Learn more on the CBP website.Do I need an ESTA to cross land border?
Visitors to the US who intend to enter the country by land must get a valid ESTA before arrival. Travelers are advised to request their travel authorization at least 72 hours before departure, in case of delays.What is the Visa Waiver Program in USA | ESTA | Stay for 90 Days in the U.S.A | Zavala Texas Law
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