Visa Validity USA?

[allen 123]

hi
how long the validity of a usa visitor visa.thanks in advance

 

[NM]

It depends on the type of Visa. There are many different types of Visas available from the USA. The validity period will also be stamped/printed on the Visa itself.

 

[markis10]

It also depends the nationality of the applicant!

 

[The Rok]

I think he may mean the visitor VWP! 90 days.

 

[mella2007]

Of if you already have applied for an ESTA in the past on the visa waiver program it is valid for 2 years

 

[k_sheep]

On a related note, does anyone know if the VWP is valid for multiple entry? I know the ESTA is, but can't find a straight answer for the VWP.

I'm transiting through USA on the way to Canada, plan to reenter via road, fly to SJU, then probably transit by air on the way home! Don't particularly want to pay the fee 3 times.

Edit: answered my own question. For those interested:

"VWP travelers who have been admitted under the Visa Waiver Program and who make a short trip to Canada, Mexico or an adjacent island generally can be readmitted to the United States under the VWP for the balance of their original admission period. See the Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection (CBP) website for additional details. Also VWP nationals resident in Mexico, Canada or adjacent islands are generally exempted from requirements to show onward travel to other foreign destinations."

Visa Waiver Program (VWP)

Puerto Rico isn't listed as an adjacent island, but apparently counts as "United States" (also Guam, Virgin Islands and Mariana Islands).

 

[dfcatch]

On a related note, does anyone know if the VWP is valid for multiple entry? I know the ESTA is, but can't find a straight answer for the VWP.

I'm transiting through USA on the way to Canada, plan to reenter via road, fly to SJU, then probably transit by air on the way home! Don't particularly want to pay the fee 3 times.

1/ There is no fee for the VWP. There is a fee for the ESTA - which is valid for 2 years. You need the ESTA to travel on the VWP.

2/ SJU is part of the USA so no immigration re-entry from SJU to mainland USA.

3/ The VWP is valid for 90 days and valid for multiple re-entry.

Technically, the rule is that the 90 days does NOT reset if you visit Canada/Mexico. So if you visit Canada and re-enter the US (very common), your re-entry stamp should in-fact have an R annotated next to it and the expiry date should match your original expiry date when you first entered the US.

In practice - YMMV - as IME many CBP officers are lazy and just restamp your passport with a new 90 days. This however is not technically the letter of the law and more officious officers will in fact count the entry as a "Re-Entry" under the original time period.

If you visit Canada, then travel to a 3rd country (eg UK), then return to the US - then you are entitled to a new 90 days.


I had 3 entries to US from Canada in almost as many days (from different ports), and two entries were just new stamps, whilst one was a "re-entry".

I don't imagine you will have any issues whatsoever with your plans.

EDIT: IME over the years I have found that YYZ Pre-Clearance are the toughest and the most likely to apply the letter of the law religiously. (Must be the common entry-point for suspicious persons originating from Europe).

 

[serfty]

I believe the 90 day counter includes time spent in Canada (& Mexico).

Posted on a wing and a prayer ...

 

[trooper]

Officially it's not meant to IIRC..

I walked over the bridge to Canada for lunch once... wouldn't expect another 90 days out of that!:mrgreen:

Seriously.. I think Canada and Mexico, and possibly the Carribean etc are listed as "doesn't reset"...

 

[k_sheep]

1/ There is no fee for the VWP. There is a fee for the ESTA - which is valid for 2 years. You need the ESTA to travel on the VWP....

Thank you very much for the detailed reply! I was getting confused with the fee obviously.

Only going for a few weeks total, so no problems keeping within time.

 

[serfty]

...

Seriously.. I think Canada and Mexico, and possibly the Carribean etc are listed as "doesn't reset"...

Not sure about the Caribbean, unless "Adjacent Islands" refers in part to that region.

Visa Waiver Program | Embassy of the United States Canberra, Australia

[h=1]Visa Waiver Program[/h] The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables nationals of certain countries, including Australia, New Zealand, and the U.K., to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa, if certain requirements are met. Under the VWP, time spent in Canada, Mexico, and adjacent islands counts towards the maximum of 90 days stay allowed under the program.

 

[jastel]

Officially it's not meant to IIRC..

I walked over the bridge to Canada for lunch once... wouldn't expect another 90 days out of that!:mrgreen:

Seriously.. I think Canada and Mexico, and possibly the Carribean etc are listed as "doesn't reset"...

I walked from Canada over to US at Niagra Falls and got another 90 days!
I know you are not supposed to, but I guess if you did it every 90 days they wouldnt do it twice in a row.

 

[moa999]

Per OPs other thread appears he/she is not looking to travel under ESTA/VWP
http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/introductions/allen-123-a-44948.html