Australian citizen flying to Los Angeles & then onto Mexico

Question

Hi all, I am hoping to fly from Australia direct to Los Angeles & then fly to Mexico for about 3 or 4 weeks holiday. I will have the ESTA visa for the US. I am presuming there will be no problem flying back from Mexico into LA to fly back to Australia. Probably a silly question but just hearing of some people not being able to get back into the US from Mexico? Dont really want to start planning an itinerary of places to visit in Mexico if there could be a problem about getting back into the US to fly home. Appreciate any constructive advice if anyone has done or is planning similar trip. Thank you

Answer

As an Australian citizen, you can generally travel to the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) with an approved ESTA for tourism or transit. This means you can fly into Los Angeles, spend some time there, travel onward to Mexico, and then return to Los Angeles to catch your flight back to Australia, provided you comply with the ESTA rules.

1. Returning to the U.S. from Mexico

When you return to Los Angeles from Mexico, you will be treated as a new arrival into the United States. This means you must clear U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) again. As long as your ESTA is valid and your travel purpose matches the VWP criteria (tourism, business meetings, transit), there should not be a problem. However, entry is always at the discretion of the CBP officer.

Ensure your ESTA is valid for the entire duration of your trip, including your return from Mexico.
Have documentation ready that demonstrates your onward flight back to Australia.
Be prepared to answer standard CBP questions about the purpose and length of your stay.

2. Travel Tips

While most travelers under the ESTA program have no issues, there are a few tips to minimize risk:

Keep evidence of your itinerary and return flight from Mexico to Australia accessible.
Have hotel bookings or travel plans ready for your time in Mexico if asked.
Do not overstay the 90-day limit of the Visa Waiver Program across all U.S. entries in a single trip.

3. Additional Considerations

It is uncommon but possible for travelers to be questioned more closely if there are concerns about immigration intent. To avoid complications:

Ensure your travel plans show a clear purpose and timeline.
Maintain proof of financial means to cover your stay and return.
Check airline requirements, as some carriers may ask to see valid ESTA and return documentation before boarding.

In summary, most Australian citizens travel to the U.S., continue on to Mexico, and return without issue under ESTA, but it is important to have all documentation in order and comply with the 90-day rule.

Australian citizen flying to Los Angeles & then onto Mexico

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