One way ticket to Mexico from UK, help!
Replies: 34 - Last Post: Aug 2, 2012 2:35 PM Last Post By: lk831
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15
Thank you for all the info/help, I'm also confused as to what is required or not; different sources are giving a lot of conflicting information. I think tomorrow I should contact the US embassy in London, and perhaps enquire as to whether confirmation/documents from my employer in Mexico would suffice. Failing that, in all honesty I can't afford to be buying return tickets, even if they are refundable.17
#16, curious to know what they say. Again note that they may give you the "conservative" advice. I'm curious for #12 to follow up because as you said there is a lot of conflicting info out there – all I know for sure is that I know people who have flown recently from Europe on a one-way tik, transiting through the US, and they had no prob.BTW, other folks on here would flat out tell you that if you can't book a refundable return ticket, then you're not in a position to travel safely (ie. no emergency funds or safety need, basically penniless). That's your business though and I'm not commenting!
18
#17, again you're not appearing to come up with anything saying that in writing, and nothing you link to states it. Don't you have anything at all actually says you must show a return ticket leaving the "North American" continent to get an ESTA, or is this just overheard friend-of-a-friend stuff? Why would it even be an issue if someone could easily buy a cheap bus ticket into Guatemala or other token onward ticket and show that? (another option BTW, OP... a ticket from Tapachula crossing the border)From the site:
Do nationals or citizens of countries that participate in the Visa Waiver Program require travel authorization if they are only transiting the United States in route to another country?
Eligible nationals or citizens of countries that participate in the Visa Waiver Program require either a travel authorization or a visa to transit the United States. If a traveler is only planning to transit through the United States en route to another country, when he or she completes the travel authorization application in ESTA, the traveler should enter the words "In Transit" and his or her final destination location in the address lines in the Address While In The United States field on the application.
20
oops wasn't meant to stop there ha, I meant I'm not willing to spend that kind of money on something that uncertain and be kicking myself once I've gone through Miami without anyone asking for proof of onward travel. I can assure you my parents, who are for the most part having to foot the bill for my ridiculously last minute plans, are more than willing/prepared to help in emergencies.21
OK, fair enough, I did find some info on the Mauritius US embassy site (?) which does spell it out clearly:http://mauritius.usembassy.gov/travel_without_a_visa2.html
And If Entering The U.S. By Air Or Sea Must Be: Holding a return or onward ticket. If travelling on an electronic ticket, a copy of the itinerary must be carried for presentation to the immigration inspector. Note: Travellers with onward tickets terminating in Mexico, Canada, Bermuda or the Caribbean Islands must be legal permanent residents of these areas.
Pretty ass-backwards policy, and strange that some have managed to circumvent it... also frustrating that it's so poorly spelled out on official sites.
#21, as long as you have a backup that's OK... as I mentioned you can also consider buying a cheap bus ticket for proof of onward travel.
Sorry my country is so hellbent on making people's lives miserable when they don't even want to come here. Kind of boggles the mind.
22
The "bus ticket" has to be on a registered carrier and it must depart the north American continent, ie- in her case it must be departing Mexico for somewhere south.23
Easily done... $19 from Tapa to Guate on Tica, there are other cheaper options too on official carriers.http://www.ticabus.com/ing_rutas_horarios_tapachula.html
Seems to highlight the stupidity and complete meaningless of the policy which is probably based on a misunderstanding between some ignorant bureaucrats, but there ya have it...
24
Try and get a flight direct to Mexico City, if not from the UK, try Holland, this way you can all the BS involved in transiting through the USA.25
Fuel for the fire:Ticabus is not an approved carrier for the purposes of the Visa Waiver Program"
http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/87163.pdf
26
...dang. Interesting. Helpful of them to include carriers which have "ceased operations" since 2003, that's pretty classy. Are there any bus lines even on that thing?Of course this is if/when it's even enforced: I just heard from my colleague who fly from Holland to Mex via Miami and he said he was granted an ESTA for transit with no problem and had no hassle whatsoever (flying to Mex City, no return ticket).
28
Rest assured OP does know how it works but originally posted asking about experience in this situation. And as you can see, a lot of people's experiences contradict with what the US Government claims to be the procedure on the Customs and Borders sites. And also I've never been to America so have no previous experience there- nor do I wish to! I've managed to find a flight that stops over night in Madrid so I just went with that, less hassle and cheaper. Thank you for all the info on this!ADVERTISEMENT
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