Stopover in USA to Canada -Visa Requirements

Henrib

Hi, so I have just booked flights to Canada with a stopover in USA (there is no direct flight on the day I need to travel). I know I need to organise an eTA for Canada but do I need an ESTA for the 3 hours I'll be in USofA? Thanks

van_beano

Henrib wrote: »

Hi, so I have just booked flights to Canada with a stopover in USA (there is no direct flight on the day I need to travel). I know I need to organise an eTA for Canada but do I need an ESTA for the 3 hours I'll be in USofA? Thanks

I would have thought no but then I googled it to see and apparently:

"All travel through the USA requires an esta or a visa.It matters not whether your stopover is 10 hours or 10 minutes,you will need to clear immigration.pick up your luggage and clear customs,then recheck your bags and clear security."

https://www.tripadvisor.ie/ShowTopic-g1-i10702-k6879093-Stopover_in_USA-Air_Travel.html

Every days a school day, never realised an ESTA was needed for a stopover even though you're not leaving the airport and are, as such, on international ground. ESTA is a bit of a cash cow for the US if the above is true.

You might need to get a second opinion on it though just in case.

steve-o

There's no such as "international ground" in the US. Everyone goes though US immigration and customs when connecting so an ESTA or visa is needed. Passengers flying direct from Ireland do this before departure from Ireland so no need to collect luggage during the stop (unless travelling on Ethiopian Airlines to LA)

coylemj

The information posted by van_beano above is correct but I'd be very wary about following information from an unofficial site like Tripadvisor, especially when the data is three years old.

'VWP' is the Visa Waiver program which is the scheme under which most Irish tourists go to the US with ESTA but without a visa .......

Q: Do nationals or citizens of countries that participate in the VWP require an ESTA if they are only transiting the United States en route to another country?

A: Yes. Eligible nationals or citizens of countries that participate in the VWP require either an ESTA or a visa to transit the United States. If a traveler is only planning to transit through the United States en route to another country, when he or she completes the ESTA application, the traveler should enter the words "In Transit" and his or her final destination in the address lines under the heading “Address While In The United States.”

https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/frequently-asked-questions-about-visa-waiver-program-vwp-and-electronic-system-travel

Steve

What coylemj said, been there done that.

Make sure your Canadian visa is in order as well before you travel.