After my VWP to the US expires, can I travel to nearby countries?
When my VWP expires, can I travel to Canada, Mexico or Caribbean Islands without staying "illegal"? I don't want to re-enter the US again and re-start the clock, I would fly home after this. I am not sure if I would travel legally as those countries are within the VWP zone.
Best Answer
You're considered to have left the US at the recorded departure time of your flight which leaves the US to any other country. You need to depart within the 90 days stay granted when you originally entered the US.
The 90 day clock everyone refers to begins when you receive your admitted stamp on entry to the US, and it's only relevant if you re-enter the US before the 90 days ends, but have only traveled to Canada, Mexico or the named Caribbean islands. When you do this, you're readmitted under the previous admission and must depart before the end of the original 90 day period, again to any country.
If you travel elsewhere, or you remain outside the US past the end of the original 90 days, then return to the US, then if you are admitted it will start a new 90 day period. But if you return too soon after the first 90 day period ended, you will attract the attention of CBP officers and likely be questioned more closely about your travel plans.
The purpose of this is simply to prevent visa runs, where someone exits the US for a few days and then returns, in order to live or work in the US without having been admitted for that purpose.
Note well that this can affect your travel plans if you need to transit the US in order to return home. The US does not have sterile transit areas; you must be cleared through immigration even to transit.
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How long is VWP valid for?
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables nationals of certain countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business (visitor visa purposes) for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa.What happens if you overstay VWP?
Those who overstay the terms of their entrance on the VWP are automatically deported from the United States.Can I travel if my visa is about to expire USA?
You can legally stay in the United States until the expiration of your authorized period of stay. However, you will not be able to travel to the United States Port of Entry to seek a new admission unless your visa has been renewed by the American Embassy in your country of Nationality.Can VWP extend stay?
If you enter the United States under the Visa Waiver Program, you are not permitted to extend your stay in the United States beyond the initial admission period. You must depart the United States on or before the date on your admission stamp when you entered the United States.BEING LEGAL IN THE U.S EVEN AFTER YOUR VISA EXPIRES
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