Can I reenter the US on ESTA after my J-1 has expired?
I am Danish university student currently studying in CA for a year on a J-1 visa.
Some of my old friends from Denmark would come to the US during the last week of my grace period. I want to do a road trip with them for about three weeks to see CA but then I would need another visa.
I planned to go to Belize/Nicaragua for about a week (as I'm a scuba diver) during my grace period and come back on the ESTA.
I'm worried about whether I will be allowed reentry at this point. I plan to keep ownership/registration of my car (and phone plan + bank account) so that I/we can use it on our road trip.
Should I be worried about being denied reentry?
Best Answer
Noone will be able to give you a definite answer but make sure you can show hotel reservation and plane tickets going home at the border. Explaining the truth can't hurt either.
Pictures about "Can I reenter the US on ESTA after my J-1 has expired?"
Can I stay in the US with an expired J-1 visa?
If your visa expires while you are in the United States, but your Form DS-2019 and Form I-94 are valid, your legal immigration status in the United States remains valid. However, if your visa has expired and you depart the United States, you will be required to obtain a new visa before re-entering the United States.Can I travel after my J-1 visa expires?
If you are in J-1 status and your J-1 visa is expired, you may still return to the U.S. from a trip to Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean Islands even with an expired visa, provided that you meet all of these conditions: your passport is valid. you have a valid DS-2019 with a valid travel signature.Can I come back to the US if I overstayed?
Overstays & Unlawful Presence If you enter the United States with a valid visa (for example, a tourist or student visa) and overstay by less than 180 days, your visa will be considered void and you'll need to get a new visa in your home country if you want to come back to the United States.Can I re enter US with ESTA?
There is no limit on the number of times you may enter the U.S. under either ESTA of a visa. However, if reentering the U.S. using ESTA soon after staying for nearly 90 days, you can expect to be questioned in detail by the immigration officer about the purpose of your visit.After My J1 Work And Travel Visa Expire This Year How Can I Stay Legally Without Any Problem ?
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Anete Lusina, Anna Shvets, Tima Miroshnichenko, Element5 Digital