can i travel to canada or mexico for one week then re-enter usa

[welshchick23]

I was hoping to got to USA for 3 months on the waiver programme, after which i would have to leave the USA. Would it be possible to travel to either Mexico or Canada and then re-enter the USA, And for how long would i have to remain outside the USA?

Lynette

[sddsddean]

http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/niv/vwp.html

Read the last para "Transit under.....". Its not very clear if this covers what you are asking, so probably best to drop an e mail to the embassy.

[Buenchico]

They might have changed the rules but Radio 4 travel programmes have, for years, been warning UK passport holders not to try entering the USA from anywhere other than the UK unless they have a full US visa. (Many people, apparently, have taken day trips into Canada only to find that they have to fly back to the UK before they can re-enter the USA).

Chris

[dannydingbat]

Not if you are on a cruise. you can leave the US, visit other countries and still get back in.

[louadams6]

its my belief that you have to leave for at least a week, as long as you declare to immigration that you are leaving and declare when you return you will be fine

[dzug]

No, this is not possible.

Under the visa waiver scheme, time spent in Canada, Mexico and most of the Caribbean counts against its 90 day validity. You have to leave North America (not just the USA) on or before the 90th day. There's no set period but if you flew to Europe or South America and came straight back your chances of getting in again would be low.

You can visit Canada or Mexico within the 90 days and get back in again normally without problem. It's a bit dodgy as to whether you can go to Canada or Mexico and leave directly from there.