I had a J1 trainee visa, can I go to Canada and come back with an ESTA?
up vote
4
down vote
favorite
I'm from Italy and I had a J1 visa for the US for a year and a half. Now it's expired (I'm in the grace period) but I want to stay longer in California to travel a little bit, because this year I did this trainee-ship and I didn't have the possibility to visit all places that I wanted to.
The question is: Can I go to Canada and come back to the US with an ESTA? I'm not subject to the two years rule to go back to Italy? Is it risky after a J1? Do they believe me? How can convince them that I want to travel a little?
Is it easier to do this via Canada than Mexico? My lawyer said yes but I want to be sure.
visas usa esta j1-visas
add a comment |
up vote
4
down vote
favorite
I'm from Italy and I had a J1 visa for the US for a year and a half. Now it's expired (I'm in the grace period) but I want to stay longer in California to travel a little bit, because this year I did this trainee-ship and I didn't have the possibility to visit all places that I wanted to.
The question is: Can I go to Canada and come back to the US with an ESTA? I'm not subject to the two years rule to go back to Italy? Is it risky after a J1? Do they believe me? How can convince them that I want to travel a little?
Is it easier to do this via Canada than Mexico? My lawyer said yes but I want to be sure.
visas usa esta j1-visas
5
I'm not subject at two years rule to go back to Italy? — is that a question? Doesn't it say on your visa? My lawyer said yes but I want to be sure., are you really more sure based on an internet forum answer than based on a lawyer's answer?
– gerrit
Mar 11 '13 at 9:29
Don't US allow you to travel for 30 days after the visa expired? I do believe so, and it is written on your visa documentation.
– Vince
Mar 11 '13 at 9:42
3
Since you have a lawyer, you should ask them.
– txwikinger
Mar 12 '13 at 2:16
add a comment |
up vote
4
down vote
favorite
up vote
4
down vote
favorite
I'm from Italy and I had a J1 visa for the US for a year and a half. Now it's expired (I'm in the grace period) but I want to stay longer in California to travel a little bit, because this year I did this trainee-ship and I didn't have the possibility to visit all places that I wanted to.
The question is: Can I go to Canada and come back to the US with an ESTA? I'm not subject to the two years rule to go back to Italy? Is it risky after a J1? Do they believe me? How can convince them that I want to travel a little?
Is it easier to do this via Canada than Mexico? My lawyer said yes but I want to be sure.
visas usa esta j1-visas
I'm from Italy and I had a J1 visa for the US for a year and a half. Now it's expired (I'm in the grace period) but I want to stay longer in California to travel a little bit, because this year I did this trainee-ship and I didn't have the possibility to visit all places that I wanted to.
The question is: Can I go to Canada and come back to the US with an ESTA? I'm not subject to the two years rule to go back to Italy? Is it risky after a J1? Do they believe me? How can convince them that I want to travel a little?
Is it easier to do this via Canada than Mexico? My lawyer said yes but I want to be sure.
visas usa esta j1-visas
visas usa esta j1-visas
edited Apr 15 '14 at 17:11
Community♦
1
1
asked Mar 11 '13 at 0:21
Rosa
212
212
5
I'm not subject at two years rule to go back to Italy? — is that a question? Doesn't it say on your visa? My lawyer said yes but I want to be sure., are you really more sure based on an internet forum answer than based on a lawyer's answer?
– gerrit
Mar 11 '13 at 9:29
Don't US allow you to travel for 30 days after the visa expired? I do believe so, and it is written on your visa documentation.
– Vince
Mar 11 '13 at 9:42
3
Since you have a lawyer, you should ask them.
– txwikinger
Mar 12 '13 at 2:16
add a comment |
5
I'm not subject at two years rule to go back to Italy? — is that a question? Doesn't it say on your visa? My lawyer said yes but I want to be sure., are you really more sure based on an internet forum answer than based on a lawyer's answer?
– gerrit
Mar 11 '13 at 9:29
Don't US allow you to travel for 30 days after the visa expired? I do believe so, and it is written on your visa documentation.
– Vince
Mar 11 '13 at 9:42
3
Since you have a lawyer, you should ask them.
– txwikinger
Mar 12 '13 at 2:16
5
5
I'm not subject at two years rule to go back to Italy? — is that a question? Doesn't it say on your visa? My lawyer said yes but I want to be sure., are you really more sure based on an internet forum answer than based on a lawyer's answer?
– gerrit
Mar 11 '13 at 9:29
I'm not subject at two years rule to go back to Italy? — is that a question? Doesn't it say on your visa? My lawyer said yes but I want to be sure., are you really more sure based on an internet forum answer than based on a lawyer's answer?
– gerrit
Mar 11 '13 at 9:29
Don't US allow you to travel for 30 days after the visa expired? I do believe so, and it is written on your visa documentation.
– Vince
Mar 11 '13 at 9:42
Don't US allow you to travel for 30 days after the visa expired? I do believe so, and it is written on your visa documentation.
– Vince
Mar 11 '13 at 9:42
3
3
Since you have a lawyer, you should ask them.
– txwikinger
Mar 12 '13 at 2:16
Since you have a lawyer, you should ask them.
– txwikinger
Mar 12 '13 at 2:16
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
up vote
8
down vote
If you're not subject to a 2-year rule, the only potential problem you may face when returning to the country almost immediately after leaving is that they may suspect that you're going back to work/stay for longer. In such cases, documentation will help you convince the immigration officer of your intention to do tourism: Most importantly, you should have your flight reservation for your trip back to Italy, but of course hotel reservations will further help you make your case.
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
You can reenter if you have visa waiver status and your ESTA approval. However, as stated above, it helps to have you further travel itinerary booked to show that you aren't trying to reenter to stay and work in the US.
If you're using your VWP entry for the first time after your visa expired that should be perfectly fine, although one never knows. Basically, ESTA means that you're eligible to board flights etc. to the US, but it does not guarantee entry. However, it should be ok.
PS. also inform your IO that you're entering on ESTA this time, since they might take a look at the visa and see that your grace period is up and be confused (although that didn't happen in my case).
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
8
down vote
If you're not subject to a 2-year rule, the only potential problem you may face when returning to the country almost immediately after leaving is that they may suspect that you're going back to work/stay for longer. In such cases, documentation will help you convince the immigration officer of your intention to do tourism: Most importantly, you should have your flight reservation for your trip back to Italy, but of course hotel reservations will further help you make your case.
add a comment |
up vote
8
down vote
If you're not subject to a 2-year rule, the only potential problem you may face when returning to the country almost immediately after leaving is that they may suspect that you're going back to work/stay for longer. In such cases, documentation will help you convince the immigration officer of your intention to do tourism: Most importantly, you should have your flight reservation for your trip back to Italy, but of course hotel reservations will further help you make your case.
add a comment |
up vote
8
down vote
up vote
8
down vote
If you're not subject to a 2-year rule, the only potential problem you may face when returning to the country almost immediately after leaving is that they may suspect that you're going back to work/stay for longer. In such cases, documentation will help you convince the immigration officer of your intention to do tourism: Most importantly, you should have your flight reservation for your trip back to Italy, but of course hotel reservations will further help you make your case.
If you're not subject to a 2-year rule, the only potential problem you may face when returning to the country almost immediately after leaving is that they may suspect that you're going back to work/stay for longer. In such cases, documentation will help you convince the immigration officer of your intention to do tourism: Most importantly, you should have your flight reservation for your trip back to Italy, but of course hotel reservations will further help you make your case.
edited Mar 12 '13 at 13:50
Karlson
41.4k787186
41.4k787186
answered Mar 12 '13 at 13:21
Jonas
6,2163050
6,2163050
add a comment |
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
You can reenter if you have visa waiver status and your ESTA approval. However, as stated above, it helps to have you further travel itinerary booked to show that you aren't trying to reenter to stay and work in the US.
If you're using your VWP entry for the first time after your visa expired that should be perfectly fine, although one never knows. Basically, ESTA means that you're eligible to board flights etc. to the US, but it does not guarantee entry. However, it should be ok.
PS. also inform your IO that you're entering on ESTA this time, since they might take a look at the visa and see that your grace period is up and be confused (although that didn't happen in my case).
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
You can reenter if you have visa waiver status and your ESTA approval. However, as stated above, it helps to have you further travel itinerary booked to show that you aren't trying to reenter to stay and work in the US.
If you're using your VWP entry for the first time after your visa expired that should be perfectly fine, although one never knows. Basically, ESTA means that you're eligible to board flights etc. to the US, but it does not guarantee entry. However, it should be ok.
PS. also inform your IO that you're entering on ESTA this time, since they might take a look at the visa and see that your grace period is up and be confused (although that didn't happen in my case).
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
You can reenter if you have visa waiver status and your ESTA approval. However, as stated above, it helps to have you further travel itinerary booked to show that you aren't trying to reenter to stay and work in the US.
If you're using your VWP entry for the first time after your visa expired that should be perfectly fine, although one never knows. Basically, ESTA means that you're eligible to board flights etc. to the US, but it does not guarantee entry. However, it should be ok.
PS. also inform your IO that you're entering on ESTA this time, since they might take a look at the visa and see that your grace period is up and be confused (although that didn't happen in my case).
You can reenter if you have visa waiver status and your ESTA approval. However, as stated above, it helps to have you further travel itinerary booked to show that you aren't trying to reenter to stay and work in the US.
If you're using your VWP entry for the first time after your visa expired that should be perfectly fine, although one never knows. Basically, ESTA means that you're eligible to board flights etc. to the US, but it does not guarantee entry. However, it should be ok.
PS. also inform your IO that you're entering on ESTA this time, since they might take a look at the visa and see that your grace period is up and be confused (although that didn't happen in my case).
answered Feb 27 '17 at 22:10
Rumpelstilzchen
862
862
add a comment |
add a comment |
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5
I'm not subject at two years rule to go back to Italy? — is that a question? Doesn't it say on your visa? My lawyer said yes but I want to be sure., are you really more sure based on an internet forum answer than based on a lawyer's answer?
– gerrit
Mar 11 '13 at 9:29
Don't US allow you to travel for 30 days after the visa expired? I do believe so, and it is written on your visa documentation.
– Vince
Mar 11 '13 at 9:42
3
Since you have a lawyer, you should ask them.
– txwikinger
Mar 12 '13 at 2:16