Can I get out of JFK airport on a layover as a British passport holder?

Can I get out of JFK airport on a layover as a British passport holder? - Stylish woman with suitcase and bag walking on street near modern airport terminal

British passport holder with a 7-hour 35-minute layover in New York before embarking for a flight to Charleston, South Carolina. Can I get out of the airport at JFK and explore NY City? I have both the approved Global Entry U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States and ESTA visa waiver document.

NB: The United Kingdom is a participant in the visa waiver program.



Best Answer

Your passport doesn’t matter, all passenger will enter the US (or be sent back home), and then you are free to go wherever you want, including NYC. In other words, there is no ‘international area’ in the airport - you are either in the US, or between arriving plane and immigration counter (and you cannot stay there)

Your problem will be the distances and times - it takes you easily 2 hours from immigration to downtown NY, the same time back, plus you need to get back through security, so there is not too much time left in the city.
If you are willing to spend the money to ride in a cab, you can squeeze out another hour.




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Can I leave JFK airport during a layover?

To Leave Or Not To Leave For the more adventurous who might have a longer layover, consider leaving the airport and heading to one of the greatest cities in the world, New York City. It's as easy as renting a car or jumping on a bus or train. There are a few ways to get to the city.

Can I leave the airport during an international layover?

So, if you have a visa (or your connecting country doesn't require one), then, yes, you can leave the airport during a layover on an international flight. If you need a visa but you don't have one, then you can't leave the airport during an international layover.

Can you have a layover in the US without a visa?

ESTA is required in all cases of entering the U.S.Travelers must apply for and receive ESTA even when transiting in the U.S. to a third country without a visa. You must apply for ESTA in any of the following cases: transit, transfer, or stopover (layover).

Can you leave the airport on a connecting flight?

Yes, you can leave the airport during a layover, provided your passport allows you visa-free entry to the country you're in and you have enough time between flights. In fact, some people intentionally book flights with longer layovers (which are often cheaper) so they get to see a new city.



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