Transit through USA - possible?

strawberry queen 123

Does anyone know whether it is possible to transit through US airport under current regulations (with an ESTA)? I'm trying to travel back to the Caribbean and easiest route is through Miami. I'm finding contradictory information online as to whether transit is possible or if it's included in COVID ban. Many thanks

SweetSand

Not sure what contradictory information you are finding but there is no transit through USA as such. Unless you have a green card or citizenship - you can’t travel to US from EU right now. Your best bet would be direct flight from one of EU countries like France or Germany.

endofrainbow

Are you sure your ESTA is valid ? Many were rescinded due to the pandemic and you might not be allowed to board.

coylemj

endofrainbow wrote: »

Are you sure your ESTA is valid ? Many were rescinded due to the pandemic and you might not be allowed to board.

They haven't unilaterlly revoked all ESTA approvals. But if you have an ESTA, are subject to the 'no travel' rule and attempt to enter the US, your ESTA will be cancelled.

This is a shortened version of the notice on the ESTA home page. I took out a lot of the legal language.......

In accordance with ....(new regulations) ........... the entry into the United States is suspended for most individuals, other than United States citizens and lawful permanent residents, who have been physically present within the United Kingdom, excluding overseas territories outside of Europe, or the Republic of Ireland within 14 days of travel to the United States.

Any traveler with a valid ESTA who is subject to the Proclamation and who attempts to travel the United States in violation of the Proclamation will have their ESTA canceled. ESTA will not refund applications that are canceled due to this Proclamation.

https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/

More info for UK & Irish passport holders

More info for travellers from the Schengen area

99nsr125

The states doesn't do transit exceptions, if you touch american soil your deemed to be a tourist or immigrant

strawberry queen 123 wrote: »

Does anyone know whether it is possible to transit through US airport under current regulations (with an ESTA)? I'm trying to travel back to the Caribbean and easiest route is through Miami. I'm finding contradictory information online as to whether transit is possible or if it's included in COVID ban. Many thanks

lonestargirl

ESTAs weren’t rescinded, I travelled to the US in December on one from Dublin (I fall into one of the exemption categories). But, as others have said, there is no transit concept for the US, full entry requirements even if only changing plane. This makes particular sense for us considering flights from Dublin that pre-clear land as domestic flights in the US and you just walk off.

coylemj

lonestargirl wrote: »

ESTAs weren’t rescinded, I travelled to the US in December on one from Dublin (I fall into one of the exemption categories).

+1 as well as the exemption categories, you could be travellling to the US from somewhere other than Ireland/UK/Schengen. Provided you had not set foot in Ireland, UK or a Schengen country in the preceding 14 days.

For example, a person with an Irish passport flying home from NZ - they would require a current ESTA to transit via the US.