The outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus has now been labeled a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO), and countries all around the world have begun implementing measures to help contain the spread of the virus. Depending on the country, the preventative measures against COVID-19 include travel restrictions, border closures, and the suspension of flights
US ESTA Requirements for Australians
Citizens of Australia are eligible to apply for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) to visit the United States. In order to register with this system, they must meet the US ESTA requirements for Australians.
Australia is one of the countries that is part of the Visa Waiver Program for the United States of America, having been added to the list in 1996. This means that Australian nationals enjoy visa exemption for short-term visits for leisure, business, or medical treatment.
In order to take advantage of this visa-free travel, they must register with the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
ESTA registration for Australian passport holders is quick and simple. Certain requirements must be met in order to apply successfully.
What Is an ESTA for Australian Citizens and What Does It Do?
The ESTA for Australian citizens is an electronic travel authorization system that permits holders to travel to the United States of America without a visa.
The US ESTA is available to Australian nationals if their visit to the States meets certain criteria.
The purpose of the visit must be for one of the following:
- Tourism
- Business
- Medical treatment
- Transit
The ESTA cannot be used to relocate to the United States or undertake any kind of employment or paid work in the country.
Citizens of Australia may use the ESTA to enter the USA for stays of up to 90 days at a time.
Australian visitors must register their details with the system prior to embarking on the journey to the USA. Once registered, the ESTA is valid for 2 years. The holder can then use it to enter the United States on multiple occasions within this period.
How Can I Apply for the ESTA Visa Waiver from Australia?
Citizens of Australia can apply for the US ESTA online. There is a simple application form, which takes a matter of minutes to complete, and can be done from the traveler’s home or office.
The Australian applicant must enter the following information:
Basic personal data
Passport information
Contact details
There are also a few questions to answer that pertain to health, travel history, and general security.
ESTA Requirements for Australian Citizens to Travel to the United States
The following items are requirements for Australian citizens completing the US ESTA application:
- Valid Australian passport (which will not expire for at least 6 months)
- Payment method (credit or debit card) to cover the ESTA fee
- Active email address
All of these must be provided in order to obtain the ESTA.
When traveling to the USA with the ESTA, visitors from Australia must carry the passport that was used to complete the application.
If the registered passport is lost, damaged, stolen, or rendered invalid, the Australian traveler must reapply for the ESTA and register the details of their new passport.
How Will I Receive my US ESTA in Australia?
Once the application is completed and submitted, the approved ESTA will be sent to the Australian traveler by email.
The confirmation of ESTA registration will be delivered to the email address provided by the applicant from Australia within the next few business days.
ESTA Benefits for Australians
The ESTA has several advantages for travelers from Australia.
The principal benefit is that registering with the system means that Australian passport holders can visit the USA without having to go to a US embassy to apply for a visa, which is a much longer process with more requirements than the ESTA application.
Overall, applying for the ESTA from Australia is a much quicker and easier process with a streamlined automated system than traditional US visa applications.
The ESTA was implemented to increase security by running checks on travelers from countries in the Visa Waiver Program. Before its introduction, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) could screen arrivals with a visa, but the ability to perform background checks on visa-exempt travelers was limited.
Thanks to the ESTA, visitors from Visa Waiver countries, like Australia, can continue to enjoy visa exemption for the USA, but the added screening helps CBP to prevent security risks and makes traveling to the United States safer than ever before.
Application Steps
STEP 1
Complete online applicationSTEP 2
Confirm PaymentSTEP 3
Receive approved VisaCountry policy
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