Article: Have Australians Stopped Flying to the USA? Here’s What the Data Says…

[Aeryn]

So they are wanting more information for an ETSA than they currently ask for for an actual Visa except the interview?? May as well scrap the ETSA scheme.

I wouldnt be able to tell you most of the email addresses Ive had in the past 10 years; as a consultant/contractor Im given new/temporary email addresses for every client job; and these are archived/deleted once the job wraps. I dont keep a list as once you move on your cant access them so pointless.

What happens you forget one you dont have anymore? Or that email address has now been claimed by someone else - usernames for deleted accounts on gmail/hotmail only get quarantined for 1-2 years before someone else can take it for a new account.

Id also worry about any validation being done on basis of an email address as with all the data breaches, who know who has or has spoofed your address or mobile number somewhere you dont know about.

Ive always left the social media part of the ETSA blank, as apart from a tightly controlled Facebook account which is mostly travel photos and check-ins so I remember good restaurants etc; and linked in which is essential for work, I dont use things like X or Instagram or make political posts etc.

 

[cjd600]

I just completed new ESTA.
Social media was optional.
Parents names required (not DOB or place of birth)
Nothing about prior email addresses
USD40 pp

 

[BCons]

I just completed new ESTA.
Social media was optional.
Parents names required (not DOB or place of birth)
Nothing about prior email addresses
USD40 pp

This extended social media history thing is currently just a proposal from CBP and yet to be considered by trump admin, but reasonable to say US border reqmts/restrictions hv only gone one way this year..

 

[Himeno]

Ive always left the social media part of the ETSA blank, as apart from a tightly controlled Facebook account which is mostly travel photos and check-ins so I remember good restaurants etc; and linked in which is essential for work, I dont use things like X or Instagram or make political posts etc.

CBP would likely find that odd because they stupidly can't think that someone not using/having "social media" accounts could be possible.

 

[Melburnian1]

This extended social media history thing is currently just a proposal from CBP and yet to be considered by trump admin, but reasonable to say US border reqmts/restrictions hv only gone one way this year..

US Customs and Border Protection is accepting public comments for 60 days according to a report in 'The Australian' on Thursday 11 December 2025.

The ESTA website is proposed for decommissioning with applications to be moved to a new mobile platform.

But changes won't occur for at least months (assuming the changes proceed). Perhaps it'll take longer than that.

Will the USA's State Department have the resources to vet millions of social media posts? Will it partly use AI despite that often being accused of having a left-wing bias?

 

[desafinado74]

I got my ESTA approved 5 months ago (Going to US in April next year) Left the social media question blank. I also applied for the Global Entry program, which will be open to every Australian next week.
Gotta admit, all these news is making me a bit nervous, but i will not be cancelling my trip,and i think i will be ok to enter the US

 

[Melburnian1]

I got my ESTA approved 5 months ago (Going to US in April next year) Left the social media question blank. I also applied for the Global Entry program, which will be open to every Australian next week.
Gotta admit, all these news is making me a bit nervous, but i will not be cancelling my trip,and i think i will be ok to enter the US

You should be OK. I can't see these changes occurring for many months.

If one has to eventually submit family members' arcane details such as place of birth, plus personal and business email addresses used in the past decade, it's over the top.

I strongly support not allowing so-called 'bad actors' entry but if these proposed restrictions are adopted with no modifications, won't it lead to not just a huge administrative burden for the USA's government departments but also many travellers saying 'stuff you, I'll travel elsewhere?'

And what happens if there's a data breach and stacks of a traveller's personal history, plus that of his or her relatives', is leaked to scammers, other criminals and so on?

'Big Brother' in a major, but not a good, way.

 

[justinbrett]

Sounds pretty similar to Global Entry vetting.

I’m assuming they’ll capture the data but only vet the 1% who actually fit the risk profile. No way they have the resources to vet everyone - unless they’ve got AI to do it.

My social media (Facebook with a closed friends group) is pretty much limited to photos of airline lounges and aircraft cabins so I’ve got nothing to hide. I already have Global Entry anyway so have been vetted.

 

[desafinado74]

You should be OK. I can't see these changes occurring for many months.

If one has to eventually submit family members' arcane details such as place of birth, plus personal and business email addresses used in the past decade, it's over the top.

I strongly support not allowing so-called 'bad actors' entry but if these proposed restrictions are adopted with no modifications, won't it lead to not just a huge administrative burden for the USA's government departments but also many travellers saying 'stuff you, I'll travel elsewhere?'

And what happens if there's a data breach and stacks of a traveller's personal history, plus that of his or her relatives', is leaked to scammers, other criminals and so on?

'Big Brother' in a major, but not a good, way.

I think tourist numbers will fall even further. It will be interesting to see the number of foreign tourists who will be going to next year's World Cup in the US

 

[AuSammy]

A couple out of a number of reports Las Vegas businesses bleeding cash...

Las Vegas faces its worst slump since 2008 — tourists vanish as Americans run out of cash

Las Vegas faces its worst slump since 2008. Tourists are vanishing. Hotels are half-empty. Casinos are quieter. Visitor numbers are down 8%, and average hotel rates fell to $193 per night. Rising costs are keeping Americans home. Dining, gambling, and lodging feel too expensive. International...

m.economictimes.com

With Tourism Decline, New Las Vegas Travel Deals And All-Inclusives

There have been a lot of headlines about the drop in Las Vegas tourism , but not much about the vacation and travel bargains you can get as a result. Here's an update.

www.forbes.com

 

[desafinado74]

Sounds pretty similar to Global Entry vetting.

I’m assuming they’ll capture the data but only vet the 1% who actually fit the risk profile. No way they have the resources to vet everyone - unless they’ve got AI to do it.

My social media (Facebook with a closed friends group) is pretty much limited to photos of airline lounges and aircraft cabins so I’ve got nothing to hide. I already have Global Entry anyway so have been vetted.

Out of curiosity, may i ask how Auscheck go about doing the background check for the Global Entry program ? For example, do you need to answer questions on an online form? Or everything will be done by Auscheck in the background, and you just sit back and wait for the outcome? And how long did Auscheck take to do the background check on you?

 

[Melburnian1]

This is 'The Australian' headline and synopsis:

Planning a US trip? You’ll now need to share your DNA​

The simple ESTA application could become an ordeal as the US proposes demanding extra family details, biometric data and social media history from Australian visitors. Here are the key changes.

 

[justinbrett]

Out of curiosity, may i ask how Auscheck go about doing the background check for the Global Entry program ? For example, do you need to answer questions on an online form? Or everything will be done by Auscheck in the background, and you just sit back and wait for the outcome? And how long did Auscheck take to do the background check on you?

You do the Auscheck process on the Australian site - having already done the Global Entry application on the US site. You get sent the link to do it a few days after you submit the Global Entry application.

Mine took a fair while, I think 2-3 weeks from memory, whereas most others here got it much quicker. I think it’s because I was in the ADF for 20 years and they send off for a report from the ADF as part of the vetting process.

A couple out of a number of reports Las Vegas businesses bleeding cash...

Las Vegas faces its worst slump since 2008 — tourists vanish as Americans run out of cash

Las Vegas faces its worst slump since 2008. Tourists are vanishing. Hotels are half-empty. Casinos are quieter. Visitor numbers are down 8%, and average hotel rates fell to $193 per night. Rising costs are keeping Americans home. Dining, gambling, and lodging feel too expensive. International...

m.economictimes.com

With Tourism Decline, New Las Vegas Travel Deals And All-Inclusives

There have been a lot of headlines about the drop in Las Vegas tourism , but not much about the vacation and travel bargains you can get as a result. Here's an update.

www.forbes.com

There is a decline in Vegas international tourists (mostly Canadian) but that’s only a small part of the problem, the decline is across the board including domestic tourists and it’s mostly due to the price gouging by MGM/Caesars, the CEO of MGM recently admitted they’ve gone to far and are going to relax prices (or so he says).

 

[desafinado74]

You do the Auscheck process on the Australian site - having already done the Global Entry application on the US site. You get sent the link to do it a few days after you submit the Global Entry application.

Mine took a fair while, I think 2-3 weeks from memory, whereas most others here got it much quicker. I think it’s because I was in the ADF for 20 years and they send off for a report from the ADF as part of the vetting process.



There is a decline in Vegas international tourists (mostly Canadian) but that’s only a small part of the problem, the decline is across the board including domestic tourists and it’s mostly due to the price gouging by MGM/Caesars, the CEO of MGM recently admitted they’ve gone to far and are going to relax prices (or so he says).

Thank you for the helpful reply. I have submitted and paid for the Global Entry Program from the US side. Now just waiting for Phase 2 to open next week.

 

[RSD]

Again I pose the Q - am I the only person who finds it so ironical that it is now much easier to visit that rogue communist state China than it is to visit our great friends the in the home of democracy DSA?

Its getting to the point where it will be easier to visit countries like Iran etc than go to the U.S.

 

[AuSammy]

Its getting to the point where it will be easier to visit countries like Iran etc than go to the U.S.

Well it was certainly easier for my Asia/Europe sojourn earlier this year, 8 countries zero paperwork. (Going to change tho )

 

[Aeryn]

I’m assuming they’ll capture the data but only vet the 1% who actually fit the risk profile. No way they have the resources to vet everyone - unless they’ve got AI to do it.

I expect they will have AI do check of social media they can access; hopefully they dont have tools to read non-public profile. But what are they going to do with all those email accounts? They shouldn't be able to read your emails (again unless they have some special back door access).

I also wonder what the stats are re how many people subsequently charged with a terrorist / criminal act entered the USA on a visa waiver? In the examples in the media the culprit seems to be on a student visa, from a country not eligible for Visa waiver or illegal.