Transit through Guam

clintonsears02:50 UTC04 Mar 2009

Hey, quick question about transiting Guam.

My friend and I are planning to go from Korea to Micronesia (for 2 months) and then on the US (for 3 months). I'm American, so I have no visa issues with these countries. However, my friend is Korean and we can't get straight answers about transit visas/the Visa Waiver Program. From what I understand, upon arrival in Guam you need a US visa (or can use the VWP if you're eligible).

Our problem is that he doesn't want to use the VWP because it gives only 90 days in the US. Since we'll be spending 2 months in FSM before getting to the mainland US, he'd only have one month left. Repeated attempts to call the embassy in Seoul have been met with "read the website" and "call X Y Z office" which has not resolved the question.

Anyone else have experience with the VWP in Guam, and then going on to the US? Thanks for any help/insight you can provide and happy traveling!

rimajolbritt00:38 UTC17 Mar 2009

Hi Clintonsears,

I agree that the transit visa situation in Guam is absolutely maddening. I live in Marshall Islands and have had a difficult time getting the US government to allow friends who require visas to visit me here, even though they will never set foot in the US. I believe that it might be possible to do a Visa Waiver program twice (once in Guam and then again in Honolulu) as long as he checks out of the US upon leaving Guam (which is pretty much as soon as he enters!). You might want to call INS in Guam to check on that. They would be the ones who would know for sure. Another possibility is that your friend could obtain a transit visa for Guam (requires an interview and a fee) and then use the VWP at Honolulu? Living out here has taught me how frustratingly tight America's fist around the Northern Pacific is. I have a Korean friend who went to school in both the Marshalls and Hawaii that I can ask for advice if you can't turn up any information elsewhere.

Hope that you have a great time in Micronesia! Which islands are you planning to visit? In December/January I took a whirlwind trip over to all the islands in FSM and Palau as well as one day layover in Guam. I've written and posted pictures from the trip on my blog (http://flobiegirl.blogspot.com), as well as funny experiences and anecdotal stories from the 2.5 years I've lived in the Marshalls.

Happy traveling, and good luck with the visa situation!

Cheers,
Britt

clintonsears00:43 UTC17 Mar 2009

Thanks Britt!

In the end we found an INS webpage that says they can apply for transit through guam, and then again to the US...so it should work out (provided INS or TSA or CBP or whoever is in the right mood!).

Thanks again...I'll check out your photos.

Clinton

Transit through Guam Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Guam
clintonsears02:50 UTC04 Mar 2009	Hey, quick question about transiting Guam. My friend and I are planning to go from Korea to Micronesia (for 2 months) and then on the US (for 3 months). I'm American, so I have no visa issues with these countries. However, my friend is Korean and we can't get straight answers about transit visas/the Visa Waiver Program. From what I understand, upon arrival in Guam you need a US visa (or can use the VWP if you're eligible). Our problem is that he doesn't want to use the VWP because it gives only 90 days in the US. Since we'll be spending 2 months in FSM before getting to the mainland US, he'd only have one month left. Repeated attempts to call the embassy in Seoul have been met with "read the website" and "call X Y Z office" which has not resolved the question. Anyone else have experience with the VWP in Guam, and then going on to the US? Thanks for any help/insight you can provide and happy traveling!
rimajolbritt00:38 UTC17 Mar 2009	Hi Clintonsears, I agree that the transit visa situation in Guam is absolutely maddening. I live in Marshall Islands and have had a difficult time getting the US government to allow friends who require visas to visit me here, even though they will never set foot in the US. I believe that it might be possible to do a Visa Waiver program twice (once in Guam and then again in Honolulu) as long as he checks out of the US upon leaving Guam (which is pretty much as soon as he enters!). You might want to call INS in Guam to check on that. They would be the ones who would know for sure. Another possibility is that your friend could obtain a transit visa for Guam (requires an interview and a fee) and then use the VWP at Honolulu? Living out here has taught me how frustratingly tight America's fist around the Northern Pacific is. I have a Korean friend who went to school in both the Marshalls and Hawaii that I can ask for advice if you can't turn up any information elsewhere. Hope that you have a great time in Micronesia! Which islands are you planning to visit? In December/January I took a whirlwind trip over to all the islands in FSM and Palau as well as one day layover in Guam. I've written and posted pictures from the trip on my blog (http://flobiegirl.blogspot.com), as well as funny experiences and anecdotal stories from the 2.5 years I've lived in the Marshalls. Happy traveling, and good luck with the visa situation! Cheers, Britt	1
clintonsears00:43 UTC17 Mar 2009	Thanks Britt! In the end we found an INS webpage that says they can apply for transit through guam, and then again to the US...so it should work out (provided INS or TSA or CBP or whoever is in the right mood!). Thanks again...I'll check out your photos. Clinton	2