Multi entry permit under visa waiver program
Replies: 9 - Last Post: Jan 21, 2013 8:19 PM Last Post By: libbyh
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Multi entry permit under visa waiver program
I have already applied for and received a visa for the USA under the visa waiver program (we are australians) for a transit journey from Australia via Los Angeles to Mexico City. I am now exploring further travel in the region and wish to go from Mexico to Jamaic and then Puerto Rico. Most flights from the Caribbean seem to go via Miami and PR is of course, US territory. So I am wondering if the same 90 transit visa will be OK for the transit via LA, transit Miami on the way to Jamaica and then entry to Puerto Rico.Anyone know where I can get this information. I have tried all the USA visa webistes and dont seem to be able to find anything about multi entry/exit visas
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Oh dear, you are very confused, let's see if we can sort out the confusion and explain it simply. If you are Australian, and are planning to enter under the Visa Waiver Program, what you have probably applied for is the ESTA - it is NOT a visa, it is an electronic travel authorisation which allows you to apply at the border for entry to the US under the Visa Waiver Program, and that means that you don't actually need a visa, that need is waived, as long as you fulfil other conditions.The main condition you are going to be concerned about is whether your time in North America, which includes the US, Canada, Mexico and 'adjacent islands', including Jamaica and Puerto Rico, will exceed 90 days. If your overall time in these areas is not going to be more than 90 days, then you are fine to board your plane and will likely be allowed into the US, as long as you have an onward ticket out of the region within that period. However, if your planned trip is going to be longer than 90 days then you need to apply for a full B2 tourist visa, and the ESTA becomes redundant.
This link from the US Embassy in Canberra explains the Visa Waiver Program, and this explains the ESTA, but I assume you've already seen and applied for the latter.
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As far as multiple entry is concerned, each time you come to a US entry point, the officials will assess your eligibility for entry under the Visa Waiver Program, or the requirement for a visa. If you are still within the 90 days from your first entry at Los Angeles, the Visa Waiver will apply.3
Edit, edit.....if your total trip is going to be within 90 days from your first entry at Los Angeles, the Visa Waiver should apply.5
How are you proposing to meet the onward ticket requirement for entry with a visa waiver? None of what you are doing involves leaving 'North America' as defined for the scheme.6
Max Mexico - re our stay in each country, we will be in Mexico about 6 weeks, maybe Belize for 2 weeks, then Jamaica only a week, Puerto Rica about a week and then we go from there to Trinidad and Tobabo.Aubo23 - the first time we go to the USA it will be a transit through LA on our way to Mexico and we have a ticket for that. The second time is likely to be transiting again (through Miami this time) and again we have a ticket all the way to Jamaica). The final trip will be to Puerto Rico and in that case we will have an onward ticket to Trinidad. In addition, we have a return ticket from Santiago to Australia and we were hoping that this would be sufficient proof. It certainly has been when we went to Brazil last year and they also have a similar requirement and we just showed them our return ticket (Australia-Chile-Australia) and they satisfied with that
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So it comes down to how many days you will be in the US, Mexico and 'adjacent islands' before you travel to South America. If it's more than 90 days, you can't use the visa waiver you need a proper visa.8
According to official information on embassy websites, you are correct Libby. In practice though, this requirement is usually waived and no visa is needed. I would advice contacting a US embassy, the CBP or the VWP and check with them if in doubt. Below is the response that one family got. Of course, if the entire trip is less than 90 days, or they will go to Belize or any other country outside the "adjacent territory", it doesn't really matter anyway.Swedish family, Sep 2011
My family is visiting USA this winter. We are planning to travel for 87 days, then fly to Dominican Republic for 40 day, for tourist purpose. We plan then to fly back to USA and spend another 13 days in Miami before we fly back home to Sweden. Would that be a problem for us? We have all of our air tickets and things in order to show our travel route.
"ESTA / Visa Waiver Program / I have a general question about ESTA/VWP" reply
That will not be a problem. You will be OK if you go to Dominican Republic for 40 days and then return to the US for 13 days. I hope this answer helps and your family has a good trip.
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Yes, I see they have now mentioned Belize anyway, so that would solve the 90-day issue for the first half of their trip anyway.
