Karldw

I recently posted a thread in regards to obtaining an F1 visa. Im now thinking it might be a good idea to go back out there and discuss possible academic programmes with a university and see what my options are. I returned from USA on october 15th after working the summer on a J1 visa for 4 months. What i am now wondering is when should i apply for the VWP? will it be frowned upon that im returning quite soon? was aiming for january maybe february?

TangoBlue

There is no correct and accurate answer to this question. It's up to the point of entry officer when you arrive in the US. Some people seem to suggest spending at least the same amount of time out of the country as you do in.

DavidLemon

If you are not planning to go until Jan then wait til Jan to apply for ESTA.

jeffreyhy

In and of itself, no. Time in and out of the country is but one factor in determining if you are really seeking to enter as a visitor for a valid purpose.

Regards, JEff

Karldw

I cant imagine how horrible it would be to travel that far and be turned away :-/ something id like to avoid at all costs!

Speedwell

At all costs? You could do what my husband did and preclear through Dublin. If you clear there, you are considered "in the US" for travel purposes. If you don't, at least you did not have to get all the way to the US first. For him, a Northern Irish citizen, it was the logical and cheapest place to connect through. I don't know where you are in the UK (I'm assuming you are in the UK) but it might also be an option for you.

Karldw

Yeah I'm in north east of the uk, how would I go about doing this? I'd rather be turned Away at Dublin than the other side of the world ha

Speedwell

Hmm. Try booking a flight via Aer Lingus. So long as you connect through Dublin on your way to the US, you'll probably preclear there. Certain flights don't, I think the latest ones in the day, but most do.

Karldw

I could go in February to leave a sizeable gap between visits I guess

Noorah101

Just my layman's opinion, but you were in the USA on a F-1 status. You are now wanting to return in a different status (visitor). In my opinion, it shouldn't be a problem. The problems start happening when you make too many VWP visitor visits back-to-back.

Rene

Karldw

I was on J1 but intend to apply for F1 later. I want to go in vwp first before applying for F1 incase it gets denied then I can't get another vwp for a long time

Noorah101

I posted J-1 first, then saw the F-1 reference in your post. LOL Either way, you were in the USA in one status, now you are asking to enter in a different status, in order to scope out schools for another status. I personally don't see any problems.

Rene

Karldw

Cool but you'd recommend waiting till around feb?

Speedwell

It could not possibly hurt your case for you to wait, if you can afford to do that.

One of the executive assistants at work told me flights are cheapest when booked about 60 days before you leave, anyway, so in that sense the timing is perfect.

DavidLemon

Although one should not book flights until such time as they have a valid travel document. Apply for Esta first then book travel.