seanwang

If my understanding is correct, The reason why I got admitted to enter Canada is based on Canadian Visa Waiver Program, which has nothing to do with American ESTA. So, I still can stay in Canada for up to 6 months based on its own VISA Waiver program. But, my ESTA for the US has already expires since I entered Canada. ...

Please correct me, if any misconception.

So far, I feel that the regulations of VISA Waiver Program are so detailed and stubborn that it's very common for people to ignore or cross the line.

The following is the reply I got from the US Immigration Dept. It's possible to enter the States shortly, but required to convince CBP officer.

--If you go to Canada and Mexico or the Caribbean, and while you are there, your initial 90-day period of entry expires, but you need to come back in to the U.S. to fly home, you may encounter a problem. The terms of the VWP are very clear - it is only to be used for occasional, short visits to the U.S. If the CBP Officer thinks you are trying to "reset" the clock by making a short trip out of the U.S. and re-entering for another 90-day period, you can be denied entry. (If that happens, you will have to obtain a visa for any future travel to the U.S. since you will be barred from traveling to U.S. visa free indefinitely) In order to be re-admitted to the U.S. shortly after a previous admission expired, you will have to convince a CBP Officer that you are not trying to "game" the system.

Based on your info, I'm wondering why I can enter Canada. Do I illegally stay in Canada already? Looks like I have overstayed in North America.

Yes. Thinking of flying to UK or EU and saying bye bye to the US.

I just found the ESTA regulations as follows: I'm clueless about why coming by land does not require ESTA authorization and how the CBP officers grant admission.

If you are coming under the VWP by air, you must apply in advance for an Electronic System Travel Authorization. We recommend you apply at least 72 hours in advance of your travel, but emergency, last minute travel can usually be accommodated. If you are coming by land, you do not need to have ESTA authorization

I was not clear about the ESTA regulations. I was told about that after I entered the US. This is also my first time to enter the US.

I studied an MBA in Canada for a short time. The consular office knew about that from my passport.

It's said that it's harder to get a B2 since ESTA exists.

Maybe I will need to ask the US embassy again.

(1) If I am rejected to enter the States, would I not be allowed to go back to Canada, either? If so, what would I be allowed to do? I would not be given any time to schedule my flight for next destination??

(2) It's recommended to update my ESTA status now. It's highly unlikely that I will be approved.

I just ask if going back to my home country to apply for B2 is the only solution to my issue, although I would not do so.

I'm now in Canada, close to the States. If possible, I still want to go back to meet some friends there. But, if it's not allowed, I have no option but to make other travel plans.

Thanks for all the input.

Most people on the forum think that I won't be able to go back to the States soon on my current ESTA status. Is there any other way to remedy or work around?

Going back to my home country to apply for B2 VISA is the only way, isn't it?

I entered Canada on VISA waiver program, which offers 6 month stay period.

According to my understanding, ESTA regulates that tourists need not to go back to their home country within 90 days, but need to leave the US. So, the return ticket can be the one for any destination, like Canada.

Canada also offers visa waiver program to a few countries, 6 months, which is more than the validity period of ESTA. Logically, 90 days of ESTA does not cover the stay period in other contagious countries, like Canada or Mexico.

Please correct it if any misconception.

The return ticket was booked when I left for the States. I thought I would have returned from New York.

I got email reply from the US Embassy in Montreal. They said, I need to bring documents that prove my ties with Canada. Obviously, ESTA is the only way to go back to the States, if possible.

I travel to Canada now so, the return ticket is for more than 90 days because I stayed in the States for about 87 days. The date of return ticket is subjected to change. Can it be a proof of my intention of staying in the States for longer?

Sounds like VISA regulations are so detailed, hard to predict and there's no room to move around.

I bought a return ticket because it's requested by ESTA. It's over 90 days.

(1) Should I update my ESTA status now if I want to go back to the States on my first ESTA application? I heard that if I updated that B2 VISA had been denied, I would not be be allowed to get a valid ESTA.

(2) I still keep my return ticket from New York to Taiwan. Will I be allowed to enter the States for few days to take my return flight from New York?

If you have had a U.S. visa before or previously traveled to the United States under the VWP or another status, you must have complied with the conditions of previous admissions to the United States, and you must not have previously been found ineligible for a U.S. visa.

--> Sorry for my poor English ability. What are you trying to tell me by this sentence? Do you mean, I cannot use ESTA because my B2 had been denied once?

I was lucky that I wasn't asked such a question about why I did not update my ESTA.

I work for a friend's company in Taiwan. It's not a problem to have months-long vacation. Opening an account in the States is that I don't want to carry money around when traveling in one place for long time. Can you close a bank account just by making a call?

I did not update my ESTA status as B2 was denied.

My home country is Taiwan, farther away from the States. It's time and money-wasting to go back and forth.

But, honestly, I got a bank account in the States. I want to go back to withdraw savings, closing the account, if I'm not allowed to stay there for longer on ESTA. So, is it possible to go back to the States only for like 2 days?

I appreciate all your reply to my post.

I tried applying for B2 VISA in my home country this July. The reason for denial is lack of ties with my home country. That's why I finally chose to enter the States on ESTA this August and left for a third country, Canada, just 2 days before the requested departure date stamped on my passport. So, the estimated stay period is about 87 or 88 days.

According to my understanding about all of your input, I better use the first ESTA to enter the States under my circumstance. I'm now in Canada. I'll need to stay here for about 90 days so that I might be granted 90 days at the next time entry. But, staying out for 90 days is not necessary. I'll also need to prepare for documents like employment in my home country.

Please correct me if any misconception. Thanks.

Do I need to re-apply for a new ESTA?

My VISA application had been rejected once in my home country. Will it be affected to my second time ESTA application?

Thanks.

According to my understanding, ESTA authorization is generally valid for multiple trips over a period of two years. But, the total stay period cannot exceed 90 days regardless of multiple trips.

So, do I need to re-apply for ESTA, if I already stayed there for about 87 days, close to the maximum amount of time, 90 days? Will my entry be rejected due to high freqency of applying for ESTA?

I could show the bank statement and prove how I support my living.

Should I apply for ESTA again if I want to enter the US within one month? I've used about 85 days on the first ESTA.