Mexico via Miami - Would I need a visa ?

[alexandra uk]

I know that you don't need a visa to go to Mexico, but the only scheduled flights there are indirect and you have to change planes in the U.S.

As I don't qualify for the visa waiver program would I have to have a visa to get through immigration to my connecting flight to Mexico ?

 

[vernon]

I'm reasonably sure you wouldn't AS LONG AS YOU DON'T CLEAR US CUSTOMS AND IMMIGRATION. I would be pretty sure MExican flights would go out of the same terminal you would go into so there shouldn't be a problem, but as always it's best to check with the airline.

 

[patdavies]

I think that you have no option but to clear imigration and customs on arriving in Miami - so if you don't qualify for VWP then you will need a visa.

I have read somewhere about people being arrested and deported although they were only in transit through the US airport (LAX I recall)

 

[patdavies]

This from the US embassy website

On August 2, 2003 the Department of Homeland Security announced the indefinite suspension of the Transit without a Visa Program (TWOV) program and the International-to-International Transit Program (ITI), pending a review within the next 60 days. This announcement does not affect qualified travelers traveling visa free under the Visa Waiver Program.

To minimize inconvenience to travelers, those who were seeking to transit the United States under TWOV or ITI who purchased their tickets as TWOV or ITI passengers on or before July 24, 2003 and who are scheduled to depart for transit through the United States before 12.01 a.m. EST, Tuesday, August 5, 2003 may still transit without a visa, provided they are otherwise qualified. Travelers with tickets purchased after July 24 or those with tickets purchased on or before that date, but not scheduled to depart in transit until after 12.01 EST, Tuesday, August 5, 2003 will either be required to apply for a U.S. visa, or change their travel itinerary to exclude a stop in the United States.

Travelers who have already made the outward journey through the United States under the TWOV or ITI programs and are seeking to transit the United States on the return journey must use the return portion of their round trip ticket before 11:00 a.m. EST, August 9, 2003. Travelers who are not on their return journey through the United States or those whose return journey will take them through the United States after 11:00 a.m. EST, August 9, 2003 will either be required to apply for a visa, or change their travel itinerary to exclude a stop in the United States.

Important Notice: The suspension of the TWOV program does not affect visa free travel under the Visa Waiver Program. Qualified visa free travelers may continue to travel to the United States for business or pleasure or in transit through the United States

 

[alexandra uk]

Thanks for that.

It looks like it would be charter all the way then
At least it goes direct.