Re-entering US on ESTA after short stay [duplicate]

I'm travelling to the US from the UK under the visa waiver programme (ESTA approved).

I'm going for 1 week, coming back to the UK for 3 days (for work reasons), then going back to the US for another 3 weeks. Is this going to be a problem at border control, i.e. are they going to think I'm trying to reset a 90-day visit even though I'm only there for a few weeks at a time?

Best Answer

Anecdotally, I had no problem being in the US for a week, back home for about ten days, then in the US again for another 2.5 weeks (also a British citizen travelling on VWP).

I can't see you having a problem, either. Like mine, your two trips wouldn't come anywhere close to the 90-day limit even if you decided not to leave the US for those three days. That would give a 31-day trip. You're obviously not trying to game the system by going home for three days.

The only reason the 90-day limit might become relevant is in the future. There's a rule of thumb that you shouldn't be in the US on VWP for more than 90 days in any 180-day period. If you were to make a hypothetical third trip to the US that was very long, you might have problems if those three days you spent at home turned out to be necessary to keep you under 90 days in some 180-day period. In that case, it would look like you were trying to game the system. However, that would be a problem on this hypothetical third trip – it shouldn't be an issue for the trips you're actually trying to make.

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Can I enter the US multiple times 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.

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.

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.

How long do you have to leave the US before returning on an ESTA?

Therefore, the length of time of your total stay, including the short trip, must be 90 days or less.

Can you Adjust Status After Entering on the Visa Waiver ESTA?

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