Contents
Summary
Entry and exit requirements
Safety and security
Local travel
Laws that apply to you
Health issues
Where to get help
Additional information
Summary
- We advise you to exercise normal safety precautions.
- Pay close attention to your personal security and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.
- The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issues alerts for terrorism threats within the United States through its National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS). These alerts are published at www.dhs.gov/alerts.
- Before boarding a US-bound airplane or vessel, all Australians passport-holders eligible to travel to the United States under the Visitor Waiver Program must apply for an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA).
- The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Summit will be held in Chicago on 20 and 21 May 2012. For more information see Local travel.
- Be a smart traveller. Before heading overseas:
- organise comprehensive travel insurance and check what circumstances and activities are not covered by your policy
- register your travel and contact details, so we can contact you in an emergency
- subscribe to this travel advice to receive free email updates each time it's reissued.
Entry and exit
Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate-General of the United States for the most up-to-date information.
The United States administers a strict entry regime and you may be refused entry on arrival if you do not comply with its entry requirements.
We strongly recommend you contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of the United States of America about your specific circumstances, well in advance of travel, including if you plan to transit in the United States.
If you are visiting the United States for business or pleasure, you may be eligible to be admitted for up to 90 days under the Visa Waiver Program. If you wish to work (including on journalism assignments), study, or stay for more than 90 days, you are not eligible for entry under the VWP and you must obtain a visa before travelling.
For up-to-date visa information, you should review the information on the following United States Government websites before deciding whether to seek entry under the VWP or to apply for a visa:
Most visitors to the United States, including those seeking entry under the VWP, are required to have their fingerprints scanned by an inkless device and to have digital photographs taken on arrival.
Visa Waiver Program (VWP) and the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA)
Before boarding a US-bound airplane or vessel, all Australian passport holders visiting or transiting in the United States under the VWP must apply for an ESTA, preferably at least 72 hours prior to travel. The cost is USD14.
ESTA is a web-based system administered by the United States Government that determines the preliminary eligibility of visitors to travel under the VWP before boarding a US-bound airplane or vessel. Travellers who do not have a valid ESTA may be denied boarding, experience delayed processing or be denied admission at a United States’ port of entry.
The official site for obtaining an ESTA is at http://www.cbp.gov/esta. To avoid imposter sites, we caution against using links in emails or from other websites to access this site.
An online ESTA application must be completed for each VWP traveller, including accompanied or unaccompanied children. A third party, such as a relative or travel agent, is permitted to submit an ESTA application on behalf of a VWP traveller.
There have been reports of unauthorised websites charging users to submit ESTA applications, or wrongly claiming to produce a faster approval process.
VWP and passport requirements
To enter the United States under the VWP, your passport must be:
- machine-readable if issued prior to 26 October 2005;
- machine-readable and have a digital photograph if issued on or after 26 October 2005; or
- an e-Passport if issued on or after 26 October 2006.
Australian passports without two lines of 44 characters at the bottom of the photo and biodata page are not machine-readable. To confirm whether your passport is machine-readable or an e-Passport, please contact the Australian Passports Information Service on 13 12 32 (within Australia).
Australian citizens travelling on an Emergency Passport, Document of Identity or Provisional Travel Document cannot enter the United States under the VWP as these documents are not machine-readable. Holders of these documents must obtain a valid United States visa. If a valid United States visa cannot be obtained, such travellers may need to look at alternative travel plans. For more information see the US Customs and Border Protection website.
You should ensure that you provide accurate and current travel document details to your airline or cruise line prior to travel. If you obtain a new or replacement passport, you must apply for a new ESTA . Discrepancies between ESTA, ticketing, and passport data will likely result in your being referred for secondary inspection by a US immigration official. This may take several hours and result in you missing a connection.
*VWP additional requirements*Australian citizens travelling to the United States under the VWP must be in possession of an onward or return ticket. If you plan to depart the United States by a different method, such as motor vehicle or cruise ship, you should contact the US Customs and Border Protection for more information.
You will need to provide full details of a valid address in the United States when you check in for your flight. A five-digit zip code (post code) is required .
VWP, ESTA and Form-I-94W Arrival/Departure Record
The Form I-94W Arrival/Departure record that some VWP travellers complete prior to arrival is being phased out. Most travellers entering the United States under the VWP who have an approved ESTA will no longer need to fill out the Form I-94W. Air and ship crew will let you know if you are required to complete one. However, the Form I-94W is still required at land borders, namely the USA/Mexico and USA/Canada borders, and you will be required to pay a processing fee.
Visitors who enter the United States under the VWP who stay longer than the 90-day limit may be arrested and detained for up to 90 days, removed from the country, and likely barred from re-entering the United States.
If you have a Form I-94W form in your passport, you must surrender this to the airline or ship staff at the time you leave the United States. Information on what you need to do if you did not hand in your Form I-94W when you left the United States can be found on the US Customs and Border Protection website.
Other entry and exit information
Whether you enter the United States under the VWP or you have a valid United States visa, you are only legally present in the United States until the date stamped on your Form I-94W or in your passport. This applies even if the expiration date on your visa is later than the date stamped on your Form I-94W or in your passport.
Where children are travelling alone, or with one parent/guardian, we recommend that you carry a notarised letter of consent for travel signed by the non-travelling parent(s) or guardian.
If you are a United States lawful permanent resident (Greencard holder), you will be asked for your Alien Registration Number and your country of normal residence when you check in for your flight.
Many United States lawful permanent residents believe they can live abroad as long as they return to the United States at least once a year. This is incorrect. Permanent residents who leave the United States for extended periods, or who cannot show their intent to live permanently in the United States, may lose their permanent resident status. Full details are contained in the United States Government’s publication ‘Welcome to the United States: A Guide for New Immigrants’ .
Australians with a criminal record (regardless of how minor or how long ago the offence took place) should ensure they seek advice from their nearest United States Embassy or Consulate about their visa requirements for entering or transiting the United States.
Make sure your passport has at least six months' validity and carry copies with you, as well as a recent passport photo, in case you need a replacement passport while overseas.
HIV infection no longer makes a foreign citizen ineligible to apply for a visa to travel to the United States. Applicants who were previously refused visas because they were HIV positive may now be eligible for a visa and may reapply.
Safety and security
Terrorism
Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers.
We advise you to exercise normal safety precautions. Pay close attention to your personal security and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.
The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) now issues detailed alerts through its National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) when it receives information about a specific or credible terrorist threat within the United States.
These alerts include a clear statement that there is an “imminent threat” or “elevated threat”, a concise summary of the potential threat, information about actions taken to ensure public safety, and recommended steps that individuals, communities, businesses and governments can take. NTAS alerts are published at www.dhs.gov/alerts.
Further information on safety and security is available from the following United States government agencies
Crime
According to the latest official figures, the estimated number of violent crimes declined in 2010 for the fourth consecutive year. However, there were still over 1.2 million violent crimes reported nationwide in 2010. Tourists are often targeted for petty crimes such as pick-pocketing and theft, particularly on public transport.
Check specialist travel guides and/or seek local advice for information on districts you might choose to avoid due to the high crime levels present in those areas.
Money and valuables
Before you go, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Australian currency and travellers' cheques are not accepted in many countries. Consult with your bank to find out which is the most appropriate currency to carry and whether your ATM card will work overseas.
Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place from the original and leave another copy with someone at home.
While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.
As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The United States has specific requirements regarding locks used on airline baggage. See the Transport Security Administration's website for further details.
Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.
You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.
Local travel
Travellers to Chicago should be aware that leaders from the 28 North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member states and leaders from the 22 countries contributing to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) will attend meetings in Chicago from 20-21 May 2012. Strict security arrangements will result in restricted access and road closures in areas leading to and around McCormick Place where the summit will take place. Authorities are expecting and making provisions for demonstrations around the event. Further information can be found at the official Chicago site for the summit at http://www.chicagonato.org/ and on the NATO website at http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/index.htm
The United States enforces restrictions on travel to Cuba. The embargo applies to all United States citizens and permanent residents wherever they are located, and all people and organisations physically in the United States, including Australians. If you plan to travel to Cuba, make sure you are familiar with the sanctions. For further details, see the Office of Foreign Assets Control website.
Airline safety
Please refer to our travel bulletin for information about Aviation Safety and Security.
Laws
When you are in the United States of America, local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but we cannot get you out of trouble or out of jail.
Information on what Australian consular officers can and cannot do to help Australians in trouble overseas is available from the Consular Services Charter.
Penalties for drug-related offences, including marijuana use, are severe and provide for minimum mandatory sentences.
In fiscal year 2010 (1 October 2009 to 30 September 2010), the United States Department of Homeland Security apprehended 517,000 foreign nationals, detained 363,000, and removed 387,000 from the country. If you are travelling in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona or southern California, expect to have your documents inspected by authorities without warning and on a random basis, including on public transport. For further information on the penalties for ‘overstaying’, see the Entry and exit section of this travel advice.
On 23 April 2010, the Governor of Arizona signed into law measures that make it a misdemeanour to lack proper immigration paperwork, such as a passport and visa or VWP entry stamp, if asked by law enforcement officials to show them. It also makes it unlawful to transport or harbour anyone unlawfully present in Arizona. In 2011 Alabama, Utah, Georgia, Indiana, and South Carolina also introduced new legislation designed to identify and reduce the number of illegal immigrants in their states. These measures include authorisation for police officers to detain individuals they suspect of being in the United States illegally. Although some of the measures are being contested in the courts, it is important that you have your documents available for scrutiny if you are asked by law enforcement officials to present them wherever you are in the United States.
Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism, child pornography, and child sex tourism, apply to Australians overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia.
Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism and child pornography laws. These laws provide severe penalties for up to 25 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in child sexual exploitation while outside of Australia.
Information for dual nationals
The United States recognises dual nationality. Dual nationals are required by United States law to travel with both passports and use their United States passport to enter and exit the United States and its territories.
Our Dual Nationals brochure provides further information for dual nationals.
Before travelling, dual Australian/United States citizens should consult travel information on the United States Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs’ website.
Health
The latest information on health issues, communicable diseases and preventative measures that are applicable to the United States can be found on the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention website (www.cdc.gov) and in their publication ‘Health Information for Travelers to the United States’.
We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation, before you depart Australia. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you will be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. The Australian Embassy and Consulates-General cannot assist with medical expenses. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. The Australian Government will not pay for a traveller's medical expenses overseas or medical evacuation costs.
Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations (including booster doses of childhood vaccinations) and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our 'Travelling Well' brochure also provides useful tips for staying healthy and travelling with medicines while overseas.
The standard of medical facilities and care throughout the United States compares favourably with that available in Australia. Medical costs in the United States are, however, extremely high. A visit to a doctor in the United States for even minor complaints can cost several hundred dollars, excluding laboratory tests or medication costs. In the absence of accepted health insurance (or proof of ability to pay), payment would generally be required up front.
The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed cases of avian influenza in birds in a number of countries throughout the world. For a list of these countries, visit the OIE website. For more information see our travel bulletin on avian influenza.
Where to get help
In the United States of America, you can obtain consular assistance from the:
Embassy of Australia, Washington, DC
1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20036-2273
Telephone: 1 202 797 3000
Facsimile: 1 202 797 3331
Consular jurisdiction: Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Kentucky, Maryland, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.
Website: www.usa.embassy.gov.au
Australian Consulate-General, Atlanta
Atlanta Financial Center, Suite 1140
3353 Peachtree Road NE
Atlanta, Georgia 30326
Telephone: 1 404 364 8560
Facsimile: 1 404 364 8565
Consular jurisdiction: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina.
Australian Consulate-General, Chicago
123 North Wacker Drive, Suite 1330
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Telephone: 1 312 419 1480
Facsimile: 1 312 419 1499
Consular jurisdiction: Indiana, Kansas, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
Australian Consulate-General, Honolulu
Penthouse, 1000 Bishop Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Telephone: 1 808 529 8100
Facsimile: 1 808 529 8142
Consular jurisdiction: Hawaii.
Australian Consulate-General, Los Angeles
2029 Century Park East, 31st Floor
Los Angeles, California 90067
Telephone: 1 310 229 2300
Facsimile: 1 310 299 2380
Consular jurisdiction: Alaska, Arizona, southern California, Colorado, New Mexico, southern Nevada and Utah.
Australian Consulate-General, New York
150 East 42nd Street, 34th Floor
New York, New York 10017-5612
Telephone: 1 212 351 6500
Facsimile: 1 212 351 6501
Consular jurisdiction: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands of the United States.
Australian Consulate-General, San Francisco
575 Market Street, Suite 1800
San Francisco, California 94105
Telephone: 1 415 644 3620
Facsimile: 1 415 536 1982
Consular jurisdiction: Northern California, Idaho, Montana, northern Nevada, Oregon, Washington State and Wyoming.
Outside business hours, callers from the United States may contact the Consular Emergency Centre in Australia by dialing 011 61 2 6261 3305 or toll-free by dialling 1 888 239 3501. You do not need to dial the international prefix, 011, for this call.
If you are travelling to the United States of America we encourage you to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You can register online or in person at any Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. The information you provide will help us to contact you in an emergency - whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family issue.
In a consular emergency if you are unable to contact the Embassy you can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 within Australia.
Additional information
Natural disasters, severe weather and climate
Severe hurricanes occur in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic coastal regions of the United States. During the hurricane season (June to November), landslides, mudslides, flooding and disruptions to essential services may also occur.
The direction and strength of hurricanes can change with little warning. Television and radio services provide extensive advice from local, state and federal authorities. In the event of an approaching hurricane, you should identify your local shelter. Flights in and out of affected areas could be delayed or suspended. Available flights may fill quickly. You should contact your airline for the latest flight information. The hurricane could also affect access to sea ports in the region. In some areas, adequate shelter from a severe hurricane may not be available to all who may choose to stay. You should familiarise yourself with your hotel or cruise ship evacuation plans.
Many parts of the United States are subject to different natural hazards, including earthquakes, fires or wildfires, floods, extreme heat, hurricanes, landslides and debris flow (mudslides), thunderstorms and lightning, tornadoes, tsunamis, volcanoes (Hawaii, Alaska and Pacific Northwest), winter storms (freezing rain, heavy snow and blizzards) and extreme cold. To see declared disasters by state and to learn what to do before, during and after each of these events, visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s website. General information on fires in the United States is available at the US National Interagency Fire Center website. If you are in areas affected by natural hazards, you should monitor media reports and follow the instructions of local authorities. Mandatory evacuation orders are issued on occasion and apply to everyone, including Australians.
Australians considering travel to areas often affected by natural disasters and severe weather events should give careful thought to the possible dangers and inconveniences should a natural disaster occur. If you are planning on travelling to a region after such an event, you should contact your airline, rail or bus operator to ensure your transport service is still operating. You should also contact the place where you intend to stay for information on local conditions.
You should carry your important documents at all times in a zip-lock bag (i.e. passport, arrival/departure record, photographic identification, airline ticket information, credit and debit cards, travellers’ cheques and cash, etc.) or secure them in a safe, waterproof location. We also suggest that you contact friends and family in Australia with updates about your welfare and whereabouts. For further information, see our Travel Bulletin: Severe Weather – Cyclones, Hurricanes and Typhoons.
All oceanic regions of the world can experience tsunamis, but in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, there is a more frequent occurrence of large, destructive tsunamis because of the many large earthquakes along major tectonic plate boundaries and ocean trenches. See the Tsunami Awareness brochure.
If you are caught in a disaster in the United States you can register that you are safe and well on the Red Cross "Safe and Well" website so your family and friends may review the site and confirm your safety.
If a natural disaster occurs, follow the advice of local authorities.
Wildlife
Australians are advised to respect wildlife laws and to maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife, including marine animals and birds. You should only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators and closely follow park regulations and the advice of wardens.
For parents
For general information and tips on travelling with children see our Travelling with Children brochure.
If you are planning to enrol your children in schools or childcare facilities overseas we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments. You should exercise the same precautions you would take before placing children into schools or childcare facilities in Australia.
Ideas on how to select childcare providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page, Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council.