Esta return, can I reset the "clock" by visiting the Bahamas?
I've read a few questions/responses on this but seem to be reading conflicting information I've tried to find a number for immigration at Fort Lauderdale but don't appear to be able to call
My status is this I am a British citizen here on an esta which expires 1st April
I have a friend arriving for 2weeks 31 March and I would like to stay and spend time with her for 2 weeks
My intention was to fly to the abaco islands of the Bahamas for 3/4 nights then return to Florida and fly back to England with them on the 12th April
Hoping that my visit to the Bahamas would reset my 90 days even though il only be staying another week in the states before returning to my place of residence in the UK
Is this false hope/information tahrs going to get me in bother ? Would really appreciate some advice ?
Melanie
Best Answer
No, a visit to the Bahamas is not going to "reset the clock", since they're included in the Adjacent Islands zone:
Anguilla, Antigua, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Barbuda, Bermuda, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Curacao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Jamaica, Marie-Galante, Martinique, Miquelon, Montserrat, Saba, Saint-Barthelemy, Saint Christopher, Saint Eustatius, Saint Kitts-Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Maarten, Saint Martin, Saint Pierre, Saint Vincent, Grenadines, Trinidad, Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Other British, French and Netherlands territory or possessions bordering on the Caribbean Sea.
So you'd need to go to Central or South America instead. Try Costa Rica?
Also, the 90-day rule is for entries under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). ESTA is just the preclearance that lets you fly to the US. See this answer to a similar question for a more detailed explanation.
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How do I reset my ESTA?
Where must you travel to in order to before returning on an ESTA to get a new 90 days? You must leave the whole North American region completely to reset this. You can't just pop to Canada or Mexico to try and reset the 90-day counter.Can I leave and reenter the US on ESTA?
Minimum waiting period between two trips to the USA with an ESTA. Travellers are not allowed to leave the United States for a short while and then come back solely to refresh the 90-day validity period. Even so, there is no official minimum required waiting period between two trips to the USA with an ESTA.Can an ESTA be used for multiple trips?
How long is a travel authorization via ESTA valid? Each approved ESTA application generally is valid for two years and allows for multiple visits to the United States within that period without having to apply for another ESTA approval.Can I travel twice on the same ESTA?
Your ESTA authorization is generally valid for multiple trips over a period of two years (starting the date that you are approved) or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. As long as you received an ESTA authorization to travel, you do not have to reapply during the validity period.George Ezra - Cassy O'
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