Visa J-1 y Programa de exención de visa durante el período de gracia

Soy ciudadano francés y actualmente trabajo en los Estados Unidos con una visa J-1. Esta visa vencerá el 30 de mayo. Tengo la intención de salir de los EE. UU. Para viajar a Centroamérica y México, luego volver a ingresar al país el 28 de junio para tomar mi equipaje y salir de los EE. UU. El 30 de junio. Sé que esto es un riesgo situación, ya que no se supone que me vaya y luego vuelva a ingresar a los EE. UU. durante mi período de gracia de 30 días después de que expire el J-1.

¿Resolvería un ESTA mi caso en Inmigración?

¿Puedo solicitar que un ESTA posea una visa J-1 y luego vuelva a ingresar usando el Programa de exención de visa?

(En el sitio web de ESTA se especifica que puede solicitar una nueva autorización si "actualmente no posee una visa de visitante").

— Jack
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Note that a US visa is only for entry and the visa's expiration date only means the last day on which you can use the visa to enter the US. It has nothing to do with your ability to stay in or leave the US. Your ability to stay in the US is determined by your status, which for J1 is generally determined by your DS-2019.

— user102008

I am in the same situation (exact same dates actually), but I was thinking that it was easier to just take the baggage to Mexico and fly back to Europe from there. Maybe even send excess luggage, that I don't need in Mexico, home on its own. Have you considered this option?

— Thomas Ahle

Simple answer: Yes!

The 30-day grace period exists to give you time to relocate out of the US - it allows you to stay in the country for up to 30 days, but without being able to work/study/etc, as technically you are out of status as your J1 has finished/expired. If you leave the country during this period then you can not re-enter using your J1, as it is no longer valid. In effect, once you leave the country, your grace period ends (even if it's less than 30 days).

However, you can re-enter the country using other means at any time after you leave - even if it's within the 30 days. This could be by applying for another type of visa (eg, B1/B2), or if you are from a VWP country, then by getting an ESTA.

You should have no issue obtaining an ESTA even through you have a current visa. If you do have any issue, you can simple re-apply after your J1 has expired as at that time you will not hold a valid visa.

— Doc
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@Doc Are there no measures to prevent people from doing 'visa runs' to Mexico in order to prolong their VWP status?

— Thomas Ahle

@ThomasAhle You can always be refused entry at the border, but for a first-time VWP entry (even if following a J1) it's extremely unlikely - especially given that the fact you did it is an indication that you are trying to stay legal (rather than just overstaying the J1). After the VWP entry expires, attempting to do this again will almost certainly fail.

— Doc