Re-entering on VWP/upgrading VWP to tourist visa

[blue_bubblegum123 0]

Hey

I've been trying to figure this out by reading this forum and the US immigration web pages, but I'm getting confused and would really appreciate some advice!

I came to the USA from the UK under the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP). I still have about 50 days of my 90 day allowance left, but would like to stay a little longer if possible.

If I exit the USA and go to Costa Rica for 8 days or so, can anyone advise whether I am likely to be able to re-enter the USA under the VWP with a renewed allowance of 90 days? The reading I've done seems to suggest that it would be at the immigration officers' discretion as to whether or not I can have another 90 days after this short spell out of the USA. Is this the case, and if so, what can I do to support my case?

All of my family are in the UK (mum, dad, sister), I own a flat there, and I have plenty of savings to be able to support myself for the duration of my trip - would this make any difference?

As an alternative, I've considered visiting a US Embassy (maybe in Canada) to apply for a Tourist Visa - does that seem like something that I might be able to do?

Many thanks for any advice you can offer

Karen

[aaron2020 11,651]

Hey

I've been trying to figure this out by reading this forum and the US immigration web pages, but I'm getting confused and would really appreciate some advice!

I came to the USA from the UK under the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP). I still have about 50 days of my 90 day allowance left, but would like to stay a little longer if possible.

If I exit the USA and go to Costa Rica for 8 days or so, can anyone advise whether I am likely to be able to re-enter the USA under the VWP with a renewed allowance of 90 days? The reading I've done seems to suggest that it would be at the immigration officers' discretion as to whether or not I can have another 90 days after this short spell out of the USA. Is this the case, and if so, what can I do to support my case?

All of my family are in the UK (mum, dad, sister), I own a flat there, and I have plenty of savings to be able to support myself for the duration of my trip - would this make any difference?

As an alternative, I've considered visiting a US Embassy (maybe in Canada) to apply for a Tourist Visa - does that seem like something that I might be able to do?

Many thanks for any advice you can offer

Karen

Extensions are not allowed on the VWP. That's one of the terms - 90 days only without any possibility of extending.

Whether you can reenter is at the discretion of the officer and there is no way to plan for it.

Your situation in the UK does not matter.

You would have been much better off starting your trip with a visitor visa. Now that you are already on the road, your best hope is the VWP. If you get denied for a visitor visa, you will not be allowed to use the VWP to renter the US.

[Penguin_ie 5,996]

Yes it is at the immigration officers discretion. With only a week or two out of the country, they may well deny you entry, or give you only a short time. That being said, with my Irish friends who have tried this and returned home for a long weekend, I have seen everything from the full 90 days again, to the day after their return ticket, to a week to denial. So really depends on who you get at the border. They will probably ask you questions- be prepare to explain how you can holiday for so long without working, and be gone so long from your home country and still have ties.

You can apply for a tourist visa. It can actually be difficult to get a tourist visa if you are from a VWP country, because you need to convince them that your plans absolutely cannot be achieved in 90 days. The draw back is if you are denied the tourist visa, you cannot use the VWP either anymore, so you are stuck then.

[blue_bubblegum123 0]

Thanks so much for taking the time to respond. I'm not too sure what I'll do, but your advice is helpful.

[fcat 79]

I visited the US 18 months ago (i have 12 vacation visits within the last 2 years), went in on an ESTA, stayed for 89 days, came home to the UK for a week(actually it was 5 days!) and then went back over on an ESTA, no problems at all, usual questions at entry, why you here, how long for , who are you staying with ? just stating my experience

Edited January 23, 2013 by fcat

[UK2ATL 9]

I also traveled a lot on the VWP 90 days here home for a week to a month then return with no issues, they seemed to ask more questions every time i came though.

[blue_bubblegum123 0]

Thanks so much. That is really helpful.

I found a link on the Customs and Border Protection Info Center website that let me ask them directly, and they responded within a couple of days to say that it should be ok to re-enter and have my entitlement refreshed under the VWP.

For anyone who'd like to contact them, the web form is here: https://help.cbp.gov/app/ask