US Immigration

[Clearwater1]

Hey we have just bought a boat in Florida. We will be travelling from the UK on an ESTA or B1 visa.
We won't need a return ticket but can we enter the US without one?

Thanks Rich

[Island Time O25]

Have all your vessel paperwork on hand and in case the initial CBP screener doesn't know what you're talking about, ask for his supervisor.

There is a presumption in US immigration law that all non resident visitors have intent to stay. The return ticket is one type of evidence to overcome that presumption. Ownership of a vessel which you intend to sail back home is another such type of evidence but not very common of course.

[atoll]

Originally Posted by Clearwater1

Hey we have just bought a boat in Florida. We will be travelling from the UK on an ESTA or B1 visa.
We won't need a return ticket but can we enter the US without one?

Thanks Rich

buy an open return that is refundable,chances are the airline will not let you board in the uk without a return ticket.

[Island Time O25]

As an alternative get a US bound flight through Shannon.

https://www.cbp.gov/travel/preclearance

[Zanshin]

I've written a letter for crew flying into the US one-way before stating the details of their intended departure (on my boat). Usually the airlines are stricter in that regard, as they carry the burden of the cost of a return flight if a traveler is denied entry. But showing ownership papers for a sailboat should be sufficient proof of intent to depart the USA.
I would email your airline regarding that one-way ticket and keep their printed reply with me when checking in just to make sure that all goes smoothly during checkin.

It will be worth getting the B1 visa as it shows that you have been pre-vetted. I always get asked about my B1 when I fly to the USA (I can use an ESTA) and once I explain that I have a sailboat they just wave me on through. The B1 will also allow you to sail back into the US (or USVI) as the ESTA is not sufficient for that.

[Clearwater1]

Hey so would anyone know if we arrive on an Esta then head to the Bahamas could we then apply for the B1 there before returning to the US.
The reason I ask is that here in New Zealand our US embassy is shut due to covid. That means we have no way of obtaining one before we leave.
Thanks again.
Rich

[goboatingnow]

Can you legally leave the US on a private boat using an ESTA

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by Island Time O25

As an alternative get a US bound flight through Shannon.

https://www.cbp.gov/travel/preclearance

That’s good advice as you then know you can enter

[Clearwater1]

That's a good point. But i can't see why not?

[acunningham]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

Can you legally leave the US on a private boat using an ESTA

Yes. The ESTA does not allow entry by private vessel, but places no restrictions on departure by private vessel.

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by Clearwater1

Hey so would anyone know if we arrive on an Esta then head to the Bahamas could we then apply for the B1 there before returning to the US.
The reason I ask is that here in New Zealand our US embassy is shut due to covid. That means we have no way of obtaining one before we leave.
Thanks again.
Rich

All US Embassy and Consulates have limited access right now. Wait times for visa appointments are long. If you want to risk getting your visa in the Bahamas you probably ought to have a plan on what to do if you don't get it and hurricane season arrives.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Clearwater1

Hey so would anyone know if we arrive on an Esta then head to the Bahamas could we then apply for the B1 there before returning to the US. ...

[Updated September 20, 2021]
U.S. Embassy Nassau is conducting visa interviews for all visa categories at this time. However, due to social distancing requirements, staffing, and current demand, the wait time for a visa interview appointment can be considerable.
More ➥ https://bs.usembassy.gov/visas/nonimmigrant-visas/

[Zanshin]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

Can you legally leave the US on a private boat using an ESTA

Yes, you can leave the USA on a boat when using an ESTA. The main reason for the visa for entry is a liability one. If you arrive on a commercial carrier, they have posted a bond and are responsible for returning you if you are not allowed entry into the USA. When arriving on a private vessel you can conceivably find reasons not to leave if denied entry and the US government mitigates that risk by requiring pre-vetting with a B1 Visa. While the immigration officer can still deny entry the odds of that happening are much lower.

As mentioned earlier, I've had crew fly in on an ESTA and leave the US with me on the boat.

This method is also used in the USVI. People take the ferry from the BVI and enter the USA with an ESTA and return to the BVI, then sail from the BVI to the USVI and since their permit to stay from the previous entry is still valid they can clear into the country.

[Clearwater1]

This is all awesome information i really appreciate it. So i should be able to pick up the boat in January on an Esta head to the Bahamas apply for a B1 and be well clear by the time hurricane season rolls around.
Fingers crossed.

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by Clearwater1

This is all awesome information i really appreciate it. So i should be able to pick up the boat in January on an Esta head to the Bahamas apply for a B1 and be well clear by the time hurricane season rolls around.
Fingers crossed.

Don't underestimate the wait time for your visa interview and processing. It can be very long at times and there is a large backlog due to Covid season.