VISA or ESTA to enter the US on a boat ?

[Tomatoketchup]

Hi,

Planning a trip to the United States, I would like to know if entering the USA via the ESTA procedure is possible, or if a VISA is required ?

Thank you

[Zanshin]

No, it is not possible to use the Visa Waiver program and ESTA for entering the USA on a private vessel. You, and any non-Americans that aren't LPR (green card/landed permanent residents) will need at least a tourist visa.

One "cheat" is to fly into the USA then keep the I-92 form when departing and then immediately sailing back into the USA; this works in the USVI (fly into St. Thomas, take the ferry to the BVI, then clear out of the BVI for the USVI on a sailboat); but this won't work for entering the US mainland or, from what I've heard, Puerto Rico.

[Tomatoketchup]

Thank you for your informations !