What rights do Australians have when travelling to the US?

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Just what are an Australian's authorities erstwhile it comes to entering nan United States?

Nothing has changed erstwhile it comes to introduction to nan US for Australians however, US separator power agents are getting stricter astir who they fto into nan country.

Unfortunately, there's not overmuch visitors tin do astir it.

An Australian woman's caller ordeal of being jailed and deported from nan US has raised questions astir nan country's migration process nether nan Trump administration.The nation's Visa laws for Australians stay nan same, however, US separator power agents are getting stricter astir who they fto into nan country.The nation's Visa laws for Australians stay nan same, however, US separator power agents are getting stricter astir who they fto into nan country. (Getty)

Here's everything you request to cognize astir travelling to nan US

Understanding nan Visa Waiver Program (VWP)

The Visa Waiver Program allows visitors from circumstantial countries to participate nan US without nan extended process of obtaining a visa done nan US Embassy.

Australia is part of that program, meaning citizens tin sojourn nan US pinch an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA).

However, location are conditions astir nan program. 

It only applies to group travelling to nan US for tourism aliases circumstantial business purposes, for illustration attending a convention aliases negotiating contracts.

People seeking employment successful nan US are not eligible nether nan program.

Tourists must besides beryllium staying successful nan US for little than 90 days to beryllium eligible nether nan VWP.

Everyone travelling nether nan VWP needs a valid and approved Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) earlier entering nan US.

An Australian woman's caller ordeal of being jailed and deported from nan US has raised questions astir nan country's migration process nether nan Trump administration.The nation's Visa laws for Australians stay nan same, however, US separator power agents are getting stricter astir who they fto into nan country.Australia is part of that program, meaning citizens tin sojourn nan US pinch an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA). (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

All VWP visitors request an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) earlier entering nan country.

An ESTA is not Visa, but alternatively an authorisation to recreation to nan US.

Travellers request to use for an ESTA earlier leaving Australia done nan US Customs and Border Protection website.

Applications tin beryllium made online and tin return a fewer days up to 2 weeks to approve. 

Not each Australian citizens are eligible for an ESTA.

Anyone pinch a dual nationality of Cuba, nan Democratic Republic of Korea (North Korea), Iran, Iraq, Sudan aliases Syria is not eligible.

People who person precocious travelled to nan supra countries are besides not eligible for an ESTA.

Anyone who precocious travelled to Cuba connected aliases aft January 12, 2021 is besides not eligible. 

An Australian woman's caller ordeal of being jailed and deported from nan US has raised questions astir nan country's migration process nether nan Trump administration.The nation's Visa laws for Australians stay nan same, however, US separator power agents are getting stricter astir who they fto into nan country.Australian passport pinch nan world representation successful nan inheritance (Getty)

How to hole for your US visit

  • Make judge you person a valid passport
  • Apply for your ESTA aliases spell done nan Visa process (if applicable)
  • Make judge you book a return ticket, ne'er a one-way ticket
  • Keep a printed transcript of your itinerary pinch you 
  • Be polite to and cooperate pinch gross agents connected arrival
  • Answer their questions and stay calm

Can I beryllium denied introduction to nan US pinch a valid ESTA? 

It's important to understand that moreover pinch an approved and valid ESTA, nan last determination to fto a tourer into nan state is made by nan US Customs and Border officers.

Padstow Heights female Nicole Saroukos had nary criminal record, a valid ESTA and tourer visa but she was deported from a US airdrome aft constabulary searched her telephone and her luggage.

She went connected nan travel to sojourn her husband, who is simply a serving personnel of nan US military, but claims she was targeted by separator officials connected presence successful nan US.

Nicole Saroukos was excited to sojourn her husband, who is simply a serving personnel of nan US subject but claims she was targeted by separator officials connected presence successful nan US. (9News)

"The serviceman stated that I had excessively galore apparel for a three-and-a-half week trip," she said.

"They started questioning maine astir my tattoos.

"I person 2 Japanese sleeves connected my arms, tatts connected my hands." … I felt arsenic though they were trying to racially floor plan me."

Californian migration lawyer Andrea Szew said visitors were now being subjected to heightened scrutiny from separator officials astatine American airports.

"It sounds unspeakable that someone's subjective sentiment tin beryllium that powerful to nonstop maine backmost connected a formation each nan measurement backmost to Australia conscionable because they're having a bad day, because unfortunately, it is simply a subjective decision," she said.

There are claims immoderate officers are emboldened by Trump's America-first policies.

The unfortunate reality is Australians person adjacent to nary authorities erstwhile entering nan USA.