Hi,

We are from the UK. We are planning a 12 month trip to USA entering via Canada and exiting via Mexico, then through Central and South America, flying home from Argentina.

I had looked at the VISA wavier programme (VWP) as we are entitled to 90 days in the USA without applying for a VISA, however a VISA company said that if you cross out of USA into Mexico, you cannot get a separate Mexican VISA….i.e. you must pass through USA and Mexico in the 90 days! Someone else has said it doesn't matter so long as you do not want to re-enter the USA? I am a little confused? Anyone know what the rules are?

All advice much appreciated! :-)

Hi suzie

Go for the b1 or b2 visa , if u go for the visa waver u will have to buy a return air
Ticket back to the uk , this one gives u the multi entry and exit out of the USA.

You won't need a return ticket if you arrive by land, as it appears you're intending. Nor do you need ESTA, which is mainly an advance clearance system for people who arrive by air. However, the visa gives more options, particularly if you're intending to come and go, or stay for an extended period.

Your post appears to state that you're taking a 12 month trip to the USA, but I'm thinking that's a mistake. Neither waiver nor visa will allow that.

I also don't understand your question about the Mexican visa. Do you need a visa to enter Mexico? If so, that comes from the Mexican gov't, and it has nothing to do with how, where or when you enter or leave the USA.

The overall story is that if you ask questions which are subject to misinterpretation, you'll get answers which often don't really apply to you. Best to start by reading the actual US State Department site, https://travel.state.gov/content/vis...r-program.html, (or a properly-vetted 3d party site like https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_Waiver_Program), then ask careful, specific questions here....but always be dubious about the answers you attract.

That includes, of course, anything you hear from me. Hope that's helpful!

Mark

If you enter Canada you can spend whatever time they allow you in canada and that is no concern of the USA. Then if you crossed to Alaska, then transited back to the USA via Canada and travelled around the US and then crossed into Mexico, the whole of the time between setting foot in Alaska and stepping over into Mexico is counted in your 90 Days. After that, provided you keep heading south, is no concern of the USA. However turn around and cross back into the usa and the whole time from entering Alaska until
you finally leave the US for good is counted.

At the Mexico border EVERYONE not staying wholly within the immediate border zone has to pay $25 for a "visa" called an FMM and should be obtained at or very near the border. It is NOT easily - or even at all - obtained further down Baja or anywhere on the mainland outside of the border zone. TIP for your vehicle is obtained on Baja at LaPaz ferry terminal, or if you are heading down the mainland, either close to the border or at the variable width hassle free zone.

Getting an B1 B2 visa doesn't change the rules all that much and just extends the time from 90 days to 180 days, still with no resetting the clock unless you fly or drive out to a non-contiguous country. One advantage though is you don't need a return ticket. No relevance if you are driving.

Unless you fly back home to reset the clock, the best you can do is 6 months in Canada, followed by 180 days (on a B1 B2 visa in the USA, followed by 6 months in Mexico before heading south. Obviously continuous 12 months in Canada and the USA might not be particularly comfortable unless you like freezing weather.

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Tony
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Thanks for the info. Sorry I should have been more specific, we intend on spending 4-6months in USA before crossing into Mexico. I think the bit I was missing was about the return flight with the VWP as I didn't see it on the website. I think I will apply for USA visas for us for the extra time and also the ability to cross back into Canada if we want to.
Thanks again for all your help, much appreciated. Suzie

The return flight bit is not absolute and on their site it mentions that if you intend departing the US by land, you need to make a special application. Anyway, since you want to spend 4 months in the US then B1/B2 visa via personal interview back home and cost of a couple of hundred dollars each is the only way.

Just out of interest, have you worked out a rough timetable for the whole trip yet?

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Tony
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Hi,
We do not have an exact plan but probably land in Toronto, 3-4 months USA and southern Canada going across via Michigan to Vancouver and Washington then down west coast, Mexico 1 month, then South America 5-6 months finishing in BA, Argentina to fly bikes home. Probably from May 2017 to May 2018. Since Feb when we first decided to really go for it the plan has route changed several times due to logistical issues....however we intend on sticking with the above plan now. Fingers crossed!

Something to be aware of is the need for "reason to return home" if asked by a US immigration officer. Somewhere on here is the story of a UK couple who shipped their Land Rover to Canada and when they tried to enter the US admitted they had no job or home to return to, they had sold everything and were on a long RTW trip. Dispite having pots of money they were denied entry and had to ship to Mexico from Canada. It might be helpful to have an address in the UK and an employer who is prepared to say you are on extended leave.

Same thing happened to a young bloke who had spent three years traveling north from Ushuaia in a VW. Got through the US into Canada and then wasn't allowed entry into Alaska because he had no regular lifestyle back home. Flew back home to visit the embassy but still no go so his car and dog are still in Canada.

I doubt whether this will be the case in the OP's trip because they will just be starting out.

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Tony
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