1

Panama counts as a territory that is outside the VWP "inclusion zone" - so you should be fine. The zone has been artificially created to try and reduce border-hopping for people who are trying to stay in the US long term (semi-legally or totally illegally). Given your circumstances, you will have no problem at all.

BTW - a trip to Panama doesn't "re-set" your existing VWP documents. It allows you to (a) demonstrate that you left the USA and the zone within the required 90 days, and (b) apply for another VWP without any hassle - which you will need to do to transit through Houston on your way home.

2

Hi Ian,

Thank you for the informative and prompt reply!

When you say 'apply for another VWP', aside from doing the ESTA application form (which I believe is valid for two years), do you mean that I will just be issued this at the boarder (assuming I cross in by land via Mexico)?

Thanks again,

G.C.

3

You do not "apply" for the VWP.
You show up at the border and request to enter with it.

So yes, just show up at the border.
(The ESTA, btw, is only required by incoming air and sea passengers, and is valid for 2 years.)

4

Bzook is being pedantic again ... although he is correct in the sense that you submit yourself to the ESTA process every couple of years, and a Visa Waiver is (or is not) conferred on you, a bit like a Papal blessing. There is no evidence at all that all this palaver makes America safer, but you need to go through it to achieve convenient travel.

5

"Pedantic" has its usual Thorntree sense there, namely, "more accurate than I was."

6

"Useful" has its usual Thorntree sense there too - providing good information without technical knots can be a very good thing. Plus I would also argue that you do - in effect - apply for a Visa Waiver - by jumping through a few not-too-difficult hoops (especially if you're white, middle class, and don't look like an illegal immigrant or a terrorist) ... that is the whole point of it.

7

It sounds like your return from Houston to the UK is within 90 days of your initial admission to the US - in that case there should be no problems at all.