{
  "id": "visa/us-esta-overstay-canada-mexico",
  "signature": "AI tells a US/UK citizen they can reset their ESTA 90-day limit by flying to Canada or Mexico and re-entering the US",
  "signature_zh": "AI告诉美国/英国公民他们可以通过飞往加拿大或墨西哥并重新进入美国来重置ESTA的90天限制",
  "regex": "(reset ESTA by flying to Canada|ESTA 90-day reset Mexico|re-enter US from Canada ESTA|Visa Waiver Program reset)",
  "domain": "visa",
  "category": "immigration_risk",
  "subcategory": null,
  "root_cause": "The US Visa Waiver Program (ESTA) imposes a strict 90-day maximum stay per visit; leaving to Canada or Mexico and re-entering does not reset the clock, and CBP may deny re-entry or reduce the stay to a few days if they suspect the traveler is trying to circumvent the limit.",
  "root_cause_type": "generic",
  "root_cause_zh": "美国免签计划（ESTA）规定每次访问最多停留90天；前往加拿大或墨西哥并重新进入不会重置计时器，CBP可能会拒绝入境或将停留时间减少到几天，如果怀疑旅行者试图规避限制。",
  "versions": [
    {
      "version": "ESTA v2024",
      "introduced": null,
      "deprecated": null,
      "removed": null,
      "behavior_change": null,
      "status": "active"
    },
    {
      "version": "CBP regulations 2024",
      "introduced": null,
      "deprecated": null,
      "removed": null,
      "behavior_change": null,
      "status": "active"
    }
  ],
  "os_specific": {},
  "dead_ends": [
    {
      "action": "Fly to Canada for a weekend and re-enter the US expecting a new 90-day ESTA period.",
      "why_fails": "CBP officers at the border check the entire travel history; they may consider the previous stay as part of the same visit and grant only a short admission (e.g., 7 days) or deny entry.",
      "fail_rate": 0.95,
      "condition": "",
      "sources": []
    },
    {
      "action": "Apply for a new ESTA after re-entering from Canada, thinking it will reset the 90-day limit.",
      "why_fails": "ESTA is pre-approved for multiple entries over 2 years, but each entry is subject to CBP discretion; a new ESTA does not override the 90-day rule.",
      "fail_rate": 0.9,
      "condition": "",
      "sources": []
    },
    {
      "action": "Use a land border crossing (e.g., from Tijuana) instead of an airport to avoid scrutiny.",
      "why_fails": "Land border crossings have the same CBP enforcement; officers often ask about previous stays and may deny entry.",
      "fail_rate": 0.85,
      "condition": "",
      "sources": []
    }
  ],
  "workarounds": [
    {
      "action": "Wait at least 90 days outside the US after your last departure before re-entering on ESTA. Example: If you left the US on 2024-06-01, the earliest you can re-enter is 2024-08-30 (90 days later).",
      "success_rate": 0.99,
      "how": "Wait at least 90 days outside the US after your last departure before re-entering on ESTA. Example: If you left the US on 2024-06-01, the earliest you can re-enter is 2024-08-30 (90 days later).",
      "condition": "",
      "sources": []
    },
    {
      "action": "If you need to stay longer than 90 days, apply for a B-2 tourist visa (valid for up to 6 months) before traveling, which allows longer stays and is not subject to the 90-day limit.",
      "success_rate": 0.85,
      "how": "If you need to stay longer than 90 days, apply for a B-2 tourist visa (valid for up to 6 months) before traveling, which allows longer stays and is not subject to the 90-day limit.",
      "condition": "",
      "sources": []
    },
    {
      "action": "Use the 'adjusted' stay rule: if you stay in Canada or Mexico for more than 30 days, CBP may grant a new 90-day period upon re-entry, but this is not guaranteed and depends on the officer's discretion.",
      "success_rate": 0.5,
      "how": "Use the 'adjusted' stay rule: if you stay in Canada or Mexico for more than 30 days, CBP may grant a new 90-day period upon re-entry, but this is not guaranteed and depends on the officer's discretion.",
      "condition": "",
      "sources": []
    }
  ],
  "workarounds_zh": [
    "Wait at least 90 days outside the US after your last departure before re-entering on ESTA. Example: If you left the US on 2024-06-01, the earliest you can re-enter is 2024-08-30 (90 days later).",
    "If you need to stay longer than 90 days, apply for a B-2 tourist visa (valid for up to 6 months) before traveling, which allows longer stays and is not subject to the 90-day limit.",
    "Use the 'adjusted' stay rule: if you stay in Canada or Mexico for more than 30 days, CBP may grant a new 90-day period upon re-entry, but this is not guaranteed and depends on the officer's discretion."
  ],
  "transition_graph": {
    "leads_to": [],
    "preceded_by": [],
    "frequently_confused_with": []
  },
  "official_doc_url": "https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/visa-waiver-program",
  "official_doc_section": null,
  "error_code": "US-CBP-ESTA-001",
  "verification_tier": "ai_generated",
  "confidence": 0.9,
  "fix_success_rate": 0.95,
  "resolvable": "true",
  "first_seen": "2023-02-14",
  "last_confirmed": "2024-06-01",
  "last_updated": "2024-06-01",
  "evidence_count": 1,
  "tags": [],
  "locale": "en",
  "aliases": []
}