Without adhering to the United States entry requirements, you can easily find yourself being refused entry into the country. With this in mind, it’s crucial to research the different US visa options and go through the appropriate application steps well before you board your plane. This way, you can ensure that all the steps are in place to successfully enter the US, whether you’re travelling for study, business or travel purposes.
Do Australians need a visa to enter the USA?
When travelling to the USA, Australians will need to organise a number of key documents. The most important documents are of course your passport, but also the applicable US visa or authorisation as these form the basis of key entry requirements. Depending on the purpose of the travel, Australians may only need an ESTA, an Electronic System for Travel Authorization, that allows Australians to enter the USA.
What is a USA travel visa?
At its core a travel document, a US visa essentially allows citizens of foreign countries to enter the United States of America. While a visa will allow you to board a US bound means of transport such as a plane to get to a US port-of-entry, it is the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) inspectors who may or may not allow you entry into the US.
A visa is important as it indicates to the CBP inspector that you are eligible to seek entry for the specific purpose stated - be that study, travel or business- and for the exact time period outlined.
What is the Visa Waiver Program
While there are different types of visas that can be obtained, Australia is a participating country in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).
This program means that Australians travelling to the US for tourism or business purposes for a stay of fewer than 90 days can travel without obtaining a visa.
Instead of applying for a visa, travellers must have a valid Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA). This pre-approves you for travel and is valid for a period of two years, as well as for multiple entries.
The application process is online, and once approved, the ESTA will be sent to the email provided by the traveller.
The VWP can be used for:
- Business purposes such as negotiating a contract, consulting with associates or attending a business convention or conference.
- Tourism purposes such as a holiday, visit with family and friends, medical treatment or enrollment in short recreational courses that are not credited towards a degree.
However, under the VWP, travel purposes such as study for credit, employment, work in the foreign press or other information media, as well as permanent residence in the US is not permitted.
How to apply for an ESTA
Those eligible for the VWP (Visa Waiver Program) will still need to receive travel authorisation in the form of ESTA. Valid for two years and for multiple entries, ESTA approvals can take up to 72 hours. The cost, which includes processing fees, is around $33.
To complete the online form, Australian citizens will need access to their passport number, a payment method, and active email address. With this information, the application form can be filled out and upon approval, the authorisation is sent to your nominated email address.
While you cannot hold any form of employment when entering the US through the VWP and ESTA, there are many benefits to consider. Namely, the fact that, when entering the US for less than 90 days, you can complete the online form rather than having to go through the various steps associated with the US visitor visa.
The types of Visas you can get when you are travelling to the USA
If you are not eligible for an ESTA, there are two categories of visas which you can apply for - non-immigrant and immigrant. Non-immigrant visas allow for activities such as travelling and studying, while the immigrant visa refers to people immigrating to the US due to being sponsored for employment or by family .
How to apply for US visitor visa
One type of US visa is the visitor visa (non-immigrant visa). Also known as a tourist visa, everyone from backpackers and young families to those over the age of 70 can travel to the US with a visitor visa for activities ranging from business to tourism.
The application process for a visitor visa encompasses a few key steps:
The online non-immigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 will need to be completed. You will need to upload your photo. US visa photo requirements specify that the photo is in colour, taken within the last 6 months with a neutral facial expression. Any facial coverings such as hats, headphones, or glasses are not allowed.
Schedule an appointment for the visa interview at the US Embassy or Consulate. It’s important to initiate this process early on as wait times for interviews can vary depending on factors such as location and visa category.
- It is worth noting that there are instances where an interview is not required. For example, those aged 13 and younger, or 80 and over are generally not required to sit for the interview. However, those in the age bracket between 14-79 must attend the interview.
- During the interview, additional documentation may be requested to highlight the purpose of the trip. Importantly, you may also need to show that you intend to depart the US after your trip by providing return flight documents.
- As part of the visa interview, you will also need to show that you have the ability to cover all costs associated with the trip. If you alone cannot cover the costs, you will need to show evidence that another person can.
While a visa may be granted after the interview process, it is important to remember that a visa only allows you to travel to a US port of entry. It is the CBP officials who have the authority to grant entry by providing you with an admission stamp or an I-91 form that is your Arrival/Departure Record.
The visitor visa is intended to be issued to individuals for a temporary stay. However, you can request to extend your stay via the US Citizenship and Immigration Services website beyond the date indicated on your admission stamp or Form I-94. You will need to instigate this process before your departure date or risk your visa being voided.
What are the entry requirements for Australians visiting the US?
Along with obtaining the appropriate visa or ESTA, there are other entry requirements that Australians need to consider before visiting the US. In particular, vaccination requirements for COVID-19. At the moment, there are no longer requirements surrounding covid tests or vaccinations. This means that you will not have to take a test before boarding a flight, nor will you have to show proof of vaccination records.
However, it is worth noting that US authorities may deny boarding to passengers showing signs of illness. As requirements are subject to change, it’s best to consult the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention before travelling. Another requirement for entering the US is completing a Customs Declaration form. This form provides basic information to customs officials surrounding a passenger’s journey and what they may be bringing with them into the US. One form per family is typical practice.
What happens if you travel to the US without a visa?
The US has strict entry and exit requirements for travellers and, there are serious implications for those who arrive in the US without a visa. As such, if you travel to the US without a visa or do not have an ESTA, US authorities will simply deny entry into the country. Standard practice dictates that you be placed on a return flight home at your own expense, and there may even be implications surrounding future travel.
Your visa application checklist
For those needing a visa to travel to the US, there are a list of steps that need to be completed. In order to make sure that you have all the required documentation to be afforded entry into the US, it’s important to start the process early and be prepared.
Steps involved with obtaining a US visa:
- Check what type of US visa you need eg. immigrant or non-immigrant
- Check where you need to apply for a US Visa in Australia, for example, the closest US Embassy or Consulate
- Complete the online US visa application form and attach a photo that meets the requirements
- Pay the machine-readable (MRV) fee
- Collect the required documents for a US visa from Australia
- Schedule a US visa appointment in Australia, wait times may vary so be proactive
- Attend the American visa interview
Beyond Navigating Your Visa Requirements
A trip to the US is on a lot of people’s bucket lists. Home to some of the world’s most famous landmarks and cities, it makes sense why people from around the world plan once-in-a-lifetime trips to America. Beyond the visa requirements, learn more about the US through our USA travel guide, discover the most awe-inspiring destinations, and learn our safety and travel tips.
As part of the trip planning process, it’s essential to research visa requirements to ensure a smooth entry into the country. These requirements will vary depending on your country of citizenship and your intention for entering the US. By taking the time to understand the US visa requirements, you can check that your travel to the US is in line with their stringent entry and exit requirements.
