how many times a year can i visit usa

[lynn56]

i want to visit lots of freinds this year and dthey r in so many different parts of us i would want to spread the time over the year and visit maybe every 3 mths to a different area can i travel on a tourest visa any help please

[florida4sun]

As many times as you like. You may be asked to prove that you are not working and have the funds to support yourself.

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by lynn56
i want to visit lots of freinds this year and dthey r in so many different parts of us i would want to spread the time over the year and visit maybe every 3 mths to a different area can i travel on a tourest visa any help please
[/quote]

[steph_goodrum]

As long as you are qualified to use Visa waiver then you can travel without a visa as many times as you want as long as no trip exceeds 90 days.

[Katys Grandad]

You'll have to complete the Visa Waiver (and ESTA) forms each time but that's no problem.

[mistert]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by florida4sun
As many times as you like. You may be asked to prove that you are not working and have the funds to support yourself.

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by lynn56
i want to visit lots of freinds this year and dthey r in so many different parts of us i would want to spread the time over the year and visit maybe every 3 mths to a different area can i travel on a tourest visa any help please[/quote][/quote]I may be wrong - but it's not quite that straightforward. My undestanding is if you enter under the Visa Waiver Program (or ESTA - which is replacing it) you can stay for up to 90 days. Addtionally you can only stay for a maximum of 180 days in a (rolling) year. So while you could do several short stays of less than 90 days, you can only do 2 stays of 90 days in one year. Plus - if you go in and out for say one month in, one month out, one month in........ then you may well find immigration paying you a bit more attention!

[blott]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by mistert
I may be wrong - but it's not quite that straightforward. My undestanding is if you enter under the Visa Waiver Program (or ESTA - which is replacing it) you can stay for up to 90 days. Addtionally you can only stay for a maximum of 180 days in a (rolling) year. So while you could do several short stays of less than 90 days, you can only do 2 stays of 90 days in one year. Plus - if you go in and out for say one month in, one month out, one month in........ then you may well find immigration paying you a bit more attention![/quote]Sorry but you are incorrect as you can use a visa waiver as many times as you like in a year (or any other period) but, as Martin has said, you might find yourself questioned if you use a visa waiver too often.

The 180/365-6 day rule is for B1/B2 visa holders.

Note that whether you have a visa or use a visa waiver, there are potential tax implications for staying more than 183 days in another country.

[Lyn]

We have been talking about this very subject recently with friends who own a villa and go to the States often. They were telling us that you used to be able to go for 90 days come back and then return for a further 90 days as often as you want, but since the security clampdowns after 9/11 they say that everyone is subject to the 180 day rule.

[steph_goodrum]

These are the conditions that must be met to be able to enter under Visa waiver program. If they had applied a restriction (such as having travelled within xxx number of days prior to this trip) it would, imo, be listed as a requirement that had to be met eg have you entered the US under the Visa waiver program within xxxx number of days prior to this trip?


You will qualify for travel under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) if you are a citizen of the United Kingdom, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, or Switzerland:

• traveling on a valid, machine readable or e-passport with an electronic chip. Please check the validity of your passport by following this link. The date on which your passport was issued is an important factor in determining whether your passport will be acceptable for visa-free travel. The failure to determine that your passport qualifies for the VWP may result in you being denied boarding by the airline.

Note: A passport indicating that the bearer is a British Subject, British Dependent Territories Citizen, British Overseas Citizen, British National (Overseas) Citizen, or British Protected Person does not qualify for travel without a visa. A passport which states holder has Right of Abode or indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom does not qualify for visa free travel;

• For business, pleasure or transit only;

• Staying in the United States for 90 days or less;

Plus, if entering the United States by air or sea is,

• Holding a return or onward ticket. If traveling on an electronic ticket, a copy of the itinerary must be carried for presentation to U.S. immigration at the port of entry. Note: Travelers with onward tickets terminating in Mexico, Canada, Bermuda or the Caribbean Islands must be legal permanent residents of these areas;

• Entering the United States aboard an air or sea carrier that has agreed to participate in the program. This includes aircraft of a U.S. corporation that has entered into an agreement with the Department of Homeland Security to carry passengers under the Visa Waiver Program. Note: Other private or official aircraft or vessels do not meet this requirement; and

• In possession of a completed form I-94W, obtainable from airline and shipping companies;

Or, if entering the United States by land from Canada or Mexico,

• Is in possession of a completed form I-94W, issued by the immigration authorities at the port of entry, and a $6.00 fee, payable only in U.S. dollars.

To assist you in determining if you may travel under the Visa Waiver Program we have constructed a Visa Waiver Wizard.

Important: Some travelers may not be eligible to enter the United States visa free under the VWP. These include people who have been arrested, even if the arrest did not result in a criminal conviction, those with criminal records, (the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act does not apply to U.S. visa law), certain serious communicable illnesses, those who have been refused admission into, or have been deported from, the United States, or have previously overstayed on the VWP. Such travelers must apply for special restricted visas. If they attempt to travel without a visa, they may be refused entry into the United States.

[Robert5988]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:We have been talking about this very subject recently with friends who own a villa and go to the States often. They were telling us that you used to be able to go for 90 days come back and then return for a further 90 days as often as you want, but since the security clampdowns after 9/11 they say that everyone is subject to the 180 day rule.[/quote]

Blott is correct. There is no restriction on how many times. or for how long, you may enter the USA on a waiver.(obviously as long as each trip is 90 days of less) In fact in the guidance on the Embassy websites it states exactly that.

They have stopped the trip across the border to Canada, Mexico, Carribean etc and then re- enter. However in theory you could fly back to UK and catch the same plane back to the USA for a further 90 days.

It isn't anything to do with security, the important thing is to satisfy the immigration officer that you intend to abide by all the rules of a visa waiver - no working etc and you must satisfy the immigration officer that you intend to return to UK and not 'settle' in USA.

[wrpac00]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by blott

Originally posted by mistert
The 180/365-6 day rule is for B1/B2 visa holders.

That's not exactly true either. It is a grey area as so whether its 180 days in one rolling year or 180 days per visit.

I know many people who spend more than 180 days a year in Florida, they do get questioned by immigration but so far have been allowed in without too much hassle.