Visa waiver scheme - question...

I'm no expert on this, and there are experts around here who will eventually give you an actual informed answer.

But if they were willing to take people's word, why would they ask for a return or onward ticket?

Why not get a ticket US-Canada along with your SA-US ticket?

Canada counts in the visa waiver 90 days, so that won't work on your return from South America.

Suggest you read the rules of the VWP on the state department website rather than hoping for special treatment from immigration officials.

If you already have your Canadian work visa before you arrive in the U.S , you should not have a problem. U.S immigration is really not as tough as some people in this forum would have you think.

If you have your Canada visa and a flight booked out of Canada on a future date you should be okay but then again you might get a right miserable git on the immigration desk

#2 -- That doesn't make sense to me. If I understand OP correctly, he is hoping to spend time in the US between time in South American and time in Canada. As long as he doesn't want to spend more than 90 days here, he can do that on the VWP.

Vinny, the visa waiver program very specifically says that, if you arrive by air, you must hold an onward ticket that terminates somewhere other than Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean. You can't just swear you will cross into Canada within 90 days. The onward ticket can depart from Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean, as long as it departs within 90 days of arrival in the US.

Without the onward ticket, the airline in South America might not even let you board.

One way people have gotten around this is to buy a refundable ticket.

Thanks, nutrax. OP, I told you the experts would arrive. It looks like you need either a refundable ticket or a visa.

Some confusing answers here I would say.

Here is the problem Andy. There is no correct answer. It all depends on the individual Border officer on the day. I personally would not hesitate to arrive from SA without an onward ticket if I had a Visa to work in Canada.

Here is how the conversation usually goes when you hand your passport and filled out Visa Waiver to the person at the airport Immigration desk. " How long are you going to be in the USA?" Answer, 2 weeks- 5 weeks, whatever the case may be. "Where are you staying?" Answer, we are booked in to the Holiday Inn downtown for tonight and will be touring from there. (You must have an address where you will be staying the first night that you can give them.)

Answer the questions, volunteer NOTHING. That's the way they like it. The chances you will be asked about a return flight are actually quite low. If asked, tell them the truth, you are going to Canada to work after your visit to the USA.

Legally, an individual officer could insist you have proof of onward travel but is ONLY likely to insist on this if s/he has some reason to be suspicious of your intentions.

My wife and I have entered the US countless times and have NEVER been asked to prove we have a return ticket.

My wife and I have entered the US countless times and have NEVER been asked to prove we have a return ticket.

Many airlines enforce the requirements of the VWP since they can be penalized for allowing someone to travel to the US without the proper documents for entry. Those that do check whether passengers meet the requirements of the VWP will not normally allow passengers to board unless they have a ticket departing the US for a destination outside Canada, Mexico or the adjacent islands within the 90 day limit.

I understand discretion and how things work at ports of entry since I cross the US--Mexican border by land every day. But I think it is a bit cavalier to tell someone not to worry about one of the essential requirements for entry under the VWP because the CBP officer will probably blow it off, which is what some seem to be saying. That may very well happen---but it may not and the consequences can be significant if CBP decides the OP has to comply with VWP in order to be admitted without a visa.