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emsi18:00 UTC12 Jul 2016

Hi we're two friends traveling around, we'd like to spend 2 months in California with an ESTA Visa and then leave for Mexico. We were wondering if it's possible to be accepted for the ESTA buying just two tickets: one from Italy to L.A. and another one from L.A. to Mexico.
We know we'll need a ticket to leave USA within two months from our arrival.
Is it possible to be accepted for the ESTA with a bus ticket (to Mexico) or a flight ticket (also to Mexico)?

Thank you so much!

MariaChiara and Rebecca

nutraxfornerves18:15 UTC12 Jul 2016

First, it is not an ESTA Visa. Lots of people are confused by that. You enter the US under the Visa Waiver Program, which allows you to stay for a maximum of 90 days without needing to get a visa. ESTA is a pre-clearances that verifies that you appear to be eligible to enter under the VWP, and that you are not on some list of undesirables. Your airline will not let you board without this pre-approval. ESTA approval does not guarantee admission under the VWP--that is always up to the discretion of the immigration official--but in practice, few are refused entry.

When you enter the US by air under the VWP, you must "be in possession of" an onward ticket that does not take you to some place that is in Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean. A ticket to Mexico won't suffice. A ticket to Mexico PLUS a ticket from Mexico to Belize, will.

You must also satisfy the immigration official that you intend to leave the US before 90 days is up. If you have a ticket that leaves the US within 90 days for some place that is not Mexico, Canada, or the Caribbean, that's good. If you have a ticket that departs from Mexico to somewhere outside those areas after 90 days, then you have satisfied the requirement that you leave this zone before returning to the US.

If you plan to go to Mexico and return to the US before the 90 days is up, you will be readmitted into the US for however much time is left on your original entry. Sometimes people who have stayed in Canada or Mexico for months are re-admitted into the US under a new Waiver, but there is no guarantee.

When you apply for ESTA approval, providing your travel details is optional. Many people apply with no fixed plans in mind.

nutraxfornerves18:23 UTC12 Jul 2016

Autorizzazione ESTA_

Thorn Tree01:02 UTC13 Jul 2017

This topic has been automatically locked due to inactivity. Email community@lonelyplanet.com if you would like to add to this topic and we'll unlock it for you.

From USA to Mexico Country forums / United States of America / United States
emsi18:00 UTC12 Jul 2016	Hi we're two friends traveling around, we'd like to spend 2 months in California with an ESTA Visa and then leave for Mexico. We were wondering if it's possible to be accepted for the ESTA buying just two tickets: one from Italy to L.A. and another one from L.A. to Mexico. We know we'll need a ticket to leave USA within two months from our arrival. Is it possible to be accepted for the ESTA with a bus ticket (to Mexico) or a flight ticket (also to Mexico)? Thank you so much! MariaChiara and Rebecca
nutraxfornerves18:15 UTC12 Jul 2016	First, it is not an ESTA Visa. Lots of people are confused by that. You enter the US under the Visa Waiver Program, which allows you to stay for a maximum of 90 days without needing to get a visa. ESTA is a pre-clearances that verifies that you appear to be eligible to enter under the VWP, and that you are not on some list of undesirables. Your airline will not let you board without this pre-approval. ESTA approval does not guarantee admission under the VWP--that is always up to the discretion of the immigration official--but in practice, few are refused entry. When you enter the US by air under the VWP, you must "be in possession of" an onward ticket that does not take you to some place that is in Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean. A ticket to Mexico won't suffice. A ticket to Mexico PLUS a ticket from Mexico to Belize, will. You must also satisfy the immigration official that you intend to leave the US before 90 days is up. If you have a ticket that leaves the US within 90 days for some place that is not Mexico, Canada, or the Caribbean, that's good. If you have a ticket that departs from Mexico to somewhere outside those areas after 90 days, then you have satisfied the requirement that you leave this zone before returning to the US. If you plan to go to Mexico and return to the US before the 90 days is up, you will be readmitted into the US for however much time is left on your original entry. Sometimes people who have stayed in Canada or Mexico for months are re-admitted into the US under a new Waiver, but there is no guarantee. When you apply for ESTA approval, providing your travel details is optional. Many people apply with no fixed plans in mind.	1
nutraxfornerves18:23 UTC12 Jul 2016	Autorizzazione ESTA_	2
Thorn Tree01:02 UTC13 Jul 2017	This topic has been automatically locked due to inactivity. Email community@lonelyplanet.com if you would like to add to this topic and we'll unlock it for you.	3

From USA to Mexico