F1 re-enter on ESTA

[aaronjames 0]

I am an Australian currently studying in the US and will be graduating in 2 weeks.

My 'end date' for my course is the 16th May and I am aware that I have 60days to leave. However, my parents are coming over for my graduation and then we are going to the Bahamas.

As I would have left the country, my visa will conclude (can't exit and enter within the 60 days), so once in the Bahamas am i able to apply online for ESTA and come back into the US on ESTA, as I plan to travel for a few weeks with family (including a trip to Mexico)?

So pretty much can i leave on a F1, go to the Bahamas and come back in through ESTA??

thanks

[Boiler 45,528]

You can try.

Is it to catch your flight home?

[aaronjames 0]

no its not to fly home,

We are going to the Bahamas for my graduation present and then my cousin and I want to travel around the US for a few weeks.

[Unidentified 2,930]

You can try. If your F1 has more valid time on it beyond the date of the end of your course date be sure to let them know that you're entering on an ESTA. I still have time left on my F1 even though I stopped studying a year ago and it always makes them a little confused until I tell them I'm there on ESTA.

[canadian_wife 1,822]

You can certainly try, but of course nothing is a guarantee. You clearly have ties to the US and minimal ties to Aus (assuming you've just spent years in the US completing your degree yes?)

good luck

[aaronjames 0]

Yer, my visa is valid until 2019 (but only for the time I am studying).

No, i don't have any ties here, i have only been here for a year doing a masters. I can stay for another 60 days after the 16th, but I was just wanting to go to the Bahamas and then come back, and ultimately leave within the 60 days...