Open ticket to USA?

[NikNakUK]

Is it possible to get to get an open ticket to go to the USA, and then come back when required? or at least book a crossing and then come back a few months later?

[spookwife]

you may only stay up to 90 days. and if you cannot convince Immigration you have a compelling reason to return AND can fund the entirely of your stay, they won't let you in the country at all.

 

lack of a return flight is a major red flag

[Tunkhannock]

To stay longer than 90 days, you would need to obtain a Visitor Visa.

 

More information is here:

 

http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/visit/visitor.html

[Flatbush Flyer]

Is it possible to get to get an open ticket to go to the USA, and then come back when required? or at least book a crossing and then come back a few months later?

 

 

Yeah- that's a great idea!

[NikNakUK]

Thanks for the replies.

 

Ok so open ended ticket is not really a good idea.

 

So is it then possible to get a transatlantic ticket to go from Southampton to NYC but then not get another ship back for a few months? can you space out the time like that between going and departing?

[Tunkhannock]

I would check RCCL's page for future transatlantic cruises between the US and UK. But just realize they probably won't let you even get on the boat without proof of obtaining a long-term stay visa first.

[John Bull]

Open-ended can prove to be expensive.

Although you might get a cheap late-booked cruise back to Europe (in the Spring is the best time, when lots of ships are re-positioning from a US or Caribbean season to a Europe season), if that doesn't happen you'll be booking a late air ticket & late bookings for flights tend to be expensive.

 

The 90 day ESTA can be overcome by crossing into Canada or Mexico for a day or two. When you leave the US, the 90 days start again when you return.

But that presumes you want to spend time in one of those countries, or will at least be somewhere convenient to the border.

And I'm not sure that having no return arrangements will affect your entry- I don't recall being asked to present a return ticket etc at immigration during a number of recent trips to the US. But if you are quizzed, you'll need to prove that you have sufficient funds to sustain your planned stay in the US.

 

Your passport and an ESTA are the most that you'll need to present to the cruise line when booking a one-way west-bound.

 

JB :)

Edited September 2, 2015 by John Bull

[BlueRiband]

Thanks for the replies.

 

Ok so open ended ticket is not really a good idea.

 

So is it then possible to get a transatlantic ticket to go from Southampton to NYC but then not get another ship back for a few months? can you space out the time like that between going and departing?

 

Yes, but except for re-positioning moves Cunard's QM2 is the only ship making regular WB and EB transatlantics between Southampton and New York. You are in the UK and the fares for those based there include one way flights. So even if you do work out the USA visa requirements you are paying for the return flights that you won't use.

 

So from the standpoint of logistics, forgetting the visa issues, it is possible to do this during QM2's transatlantic season - mid-May into early January.

[Floridiana]

The 90 day ESTA can be overcome by crossing into Canada or Mexico for a day or two.

JB :)

 

Sorry, this is not true.

[John Bull]

Sorry, this is not true.

 

Been there, done that. :)

 

JB :)

[spookwife]

Thanks for the replies.

 

Ok so open ended ticket is not really a good idea.

 

So is it then possible to get a transatlantic ticket to go from Southampton to NYC but then not get another ship back for a few months? can you space out the time like that between going and departing?

 

maybe. the real issue will Immigration let you enter the US from NYC without some sort of proof that you are leaving within the time frame allowed/ as in without plane tickets, will they accept a reservation for a return voyage on a future QM2 trip?! what will you show to prove you can pay for the accommodations in the interim?

[spookwife]

Been there, done that. :)

 

JB :)

 

 

yeah but lately ICE have been looking more carefully at these attempts to baps the regs.

 

random tourist trying to do this is not going to get away with it as easily any more.

[Floridiana]

So is it then possible to get a transatlantic ticket to go from Southampton to NYC but then not get another ship back for a few months? can you space out the time like that between going and departing?

 

What is a 'a few months'? You can only get more than 90 days if you have a visitors visa for which you must apply at the US consulate nearest to your home city. If you tell the consular official that you plan to hang out in the US, the question will come up how you plan to finance more than the 90 days you are given with ESTA. The official will wonder if you will be trying to work illegally or whether you have an American friend and plan to get married to her/him without the proper visa application beforehand. That would be a different visa.

 

It's much easier to get the visitors visa if you are a retiree and head to Florida for your 6 month winter stay.

[Floridiana]

Been there, done that. :)

 

JB :)

 

Maybe it was possible in the past or you were lucky to encounter an inattentive border agent. But there is no way I would give advice to stay in the USA illegally.

[John Bull]

yeah but lately ICE have been looking more carefully at these attempts to baps the regs.

 

random tourist trying to do this is not going to get away with it as easily any more.

 

Maybe it was possible in the past or you were lucky to encounter an inattentive border agent. But there is no way I would give advice to stay in the USA illegally.

 

Was a few years back, shortly after ESTA's started.

Wasn't deliberately circumventing any rules or acting illegally.

Don't recall the crossing - but that kinda demonstrates that there was no grief. :)

We were patently tourists.

 

Have now checked the web, it does seem to be a slightly grey area but yes, I can see what you mean.

No need to return "home" for the 90 day clock to re-start, but the border agent will want to be sure that this isn't someone bending the rules by nipping back & forth at appropriate intervals in order to "reside" in the US on an ESTA.

We weren't ;)

 

JB :)

[spookwife]

No need to return "home" for the 90 day clock to re-start, but the border agent will want to be sure that this isn't someone bending the rules by nipping back & forth at appropriate intervals in order to "reside" in the US on an ESTA.

We weren't ;)

 

JB :)

 

 

but lots do or try to. long gone are the days where you could take a weekend trip to Ontario or Tijuana and reset the 90 day time frame.