One-way flight to USA on ESTA, leaving by foot?
Summary: Can I fly into the USA on a one way ticket on ESTA, if I plan to return to Canada by foot? And does Amtrak/Greyhound share return leg with US Immigration?
I'm a visa waiver national with a valid ESTA, permanent resident in Canada. I'm flying on a one way ticket Canada -> USA (Vancouver -> LAX). 3-4 weeks later (after a flight LAX -> Seattle) I'll return to Canada by foot (at a land border checkpoint), or by Amtrak train/bus (on a one-way ticket: Seattle to Vancouver trains/buses from Aug 9th are already bookable now).
What's my chance of being admitted to USA if I don't have an exit train booked? (I'll carry with me bank/credit card statements to prove my bills in Canada, my purpose of stay can be confirmed, and I can show the LAX -> Seattle flight booking which gets me close to the border - which, of course, is domestic and not a guarantee that I'll leave).
Can I ask for a paper I-94W form (in addition to a digital I-94W) at US Immigration (which is done before departure in Vancouver), so that I could give that I-94W to the Canadian official if I leave US to Canada by foot (instead of by a train/bus)? (As I understand, the Canadian official would then pass the paper I-94W to the US officials, so they can record my timely exit from the USA.)
If I do get a paper I-94W form, and if I return by a train/bus, can I drop the paper I-94W to the Canadian official when leaving by train? Or do I give it to Amtrak staff instead? Or will Amtrak lodge an exit record with US immigration (and I can ignore the paper I-94W)?
If, (in the future) I travel on a return ticket (flight, train or bus: Amtrak/Greyhound - not a tiny shuttle company), can the US immigration official see the return leg of my trip on their system - is that commonly shared by commercial airlines, Amtrak and Greyhound? Or do I have to show the return booking? (Of course, I understand it's safer to carry the booking with me anyway.) (Update: Amtrak cancelled the cross-border buses (that were bookable with departure from August 9th). The nearest available departures Seattle->Vancouver are from September 1st.)
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Can I enter the US with a one way ticket?
3. Re: One way ticket to the USA? You would have to get a visa, the Visa Waiver Program REQUIRES you to have a ticket out of the US as part of it's conditions.Do you need a return flight for ESTA visa?
It is of course obligatory to hold a return ticket to complete your ESTA application and here we will explain the reasons why. An ESTA authorisation is possible when your visit to the United States is for a period of no longer than 90 days.Can you enter the US without a return ticket?
Travelers entering by air or sea must also have a return/onward ticket out of the United States. If the return/onward ticket terminates in Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, or any Caribbean island, the traveler must be a legal resident of that country/territory. If traveling by land, there is a $7 fee when crossing the border.Can I transit through USA with ESTA?
A transit in the USA is only allowed if you possess an ESTA , a visa or an American passport. You are already checked for these permits when you check in for your flight to the USA, based on your passport number.Do This BEFORE Flying To USA - ESTA
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