If I have an ESTA approved for transit, can I visit a second time as a tourist?
I go to México in some time, and my fly tickets first I go from Peru to the US, because of that I require a visa to enter US.
In my country I can apply for VWP, but I'm a little scared of getting denied, while I'm in México it is possible that I would make a short tourism travel to US but in the ESTA form there is the following question.
Indicate whether your travel to the US is occurring in transit to another country by selecting yes or no. Answering this question is required to complete your application.
If I choose yes, definitely I can not enter US?
What scare me a little is, if I select no and then my request is denied, getting the visa would be a little complicated.
Best Answer
TL;DR: Don't worry, and if you're transiting, choose "yes" for transit.
Unlike most countries, the US does not have a concept of "sterile transit": everybody who flies to the US must enter the US. It thus doesn't matter if you choose "yes" or "no" for transit, you will still have to queue up for Immigration entry. (Obviously, because you are in transit, you should tell the truth and choose "yes".) Once you have passed through, you are in fully in the US, and it's up to you if you board your next flight or go sightseeing.
Also, because ESTAs are weird, you're asked for lots of details about your first trip, but nothing at all about later trips. So first entry in transit and second entry as a regular tourist is also OK. If you want to be 100% safe, though, you can edit your ESTA to update your address in the US even after it has been issued.
Last but not least, in general, if you're eligible for ESTA, your home country is already prequalified. They are thus almost never denied unless you're on a terrorist watchlist or say "yes" to the questions about committing genocide/having Ebola/etc, and even if the ESTA is denied, you can still apply in person for a regular visa. Of course you may still be denied entry to the US on arrival, but this is really unlikely if you have an immediate onward ticket.
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Can you use an ESTA to transit more than once?
There is no limit on the number of times you may enter the U.S. under either ESTA of a visa.Can I use the same ESTA for multiple entries?
An ESTA can be used for multiple entries into the United States. Should an individual find themselves in a situation where they wish to visit the United States repeatedly beyond the 90 days permitted by ESTA, then a B-1 Business Visa or B-2 Tourist Visa may be a more suitable alternative.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.Is a transit ESTA different from an normal ESTA?
A transfer refers to a passenger switching planes at the airport to continue their trip. During a transit, you land in the USA and wait inside or outside the aeroplane before proceeding to your final destination in the same plane. An ESTA, visa or American passport is required for a transfer and a transit.What 10 things YOU must to know about ESTA travel authorization. Visa Waiver Program
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