USA visa

[Expon]

I'm travelling to the USA and was curious how many people here apply for a visa before hand or participate in the visa waiver program. I'm keen on the latter but unsure how difficult the process may be. I'll have to get a new passport with a microchip in it, but would that be better than paying for a visa in advance? My current passport is the older kind and by reading the info on the Qantas site it seems I have to have the new one with the chip to participate in the visa waiver program. Another good benefit would be the shorter queue when coming back into Oz.

Having had no criminal record or any relatives associated with crime I cannot forsee any difficulties, but this is the modern day and things go wrong all the time. Any advice is appreciated on which way to go.


Thanks
Ex

 

[Mal]

Don't bother getting the visa unless you need it. Applying for a Visa is 'suspicious' to the brain trust they employ!

There are plenty of websites which go through what the various restrictions on entry are. Just check that you don't fit the 'moral turpitude' clause and I doubt the rest of the questions are any real issue for 99% of people. (note that if you're a Journalist or intend to work/study etc, then a visa is pretty much compulsory).

Remember though, by not applying for a visa, you do waive your rights of appeal on decisions made at the border.

BTW, your reading of the Qantas site is slightly incorrect. The US has various restrictions on passports depending on when they were created. A chipped passport is not compulsory at the moment, rather a machine readable strip at the bottom of the photo page and a digital photo in the passport are the 2 main requirements for recentish passports.

 

[littl_flier]

I'm travelling to the USA and was curious how many people here apply for a visa before hand or participate in the visa waiver program. I'm keen on the latter but unsure how difficult the process may be. I'll have to get a new passport with a microchip in it, but would that be better than paying for a visa in advance? My current passport is the older kind and by reading the info on the Qantas site it seems I have to have the new one with the chip to participate in the visa waiver program. Another good benefit would be the shorter queue when coming back into Oz.

Hi Ex, I'm definitely a Visa Waiver program guy. I was under the impression that you had to travel to the US consulate in SYD to get USA visa's which would significantly add to the cost. (but I may be confused with working visas) A new passport would be cheaper in this circumstance, particularly if you intend on visiting multiple times in the next 10 years.

I've had a quick look and the wording is a machine readable passport but I'm pretty sure these aren't the ones with the chips, but rather where they can scan the front page. You only require the chip if your passport was issued after 26/10/06.

Machine-readable passports issued or renewed/extended on or after 10/26/06 – requires integrated chip with information from the data page ( e-Passport ).

Here's some more info. Visa Waiver Program (VWP)

 

[Expon]

Ahh I think mine is maching readable, when I went to Japan they put it under some scanner and then waved me through. I just didn't want to get there and have the wrong passport and get rejected. Maybe it's best to get the new passport? although my current one still has 5 years to go on it.....

 

[straitman]

Ahh I think mine is maching readable, when I went to Japan they put it under some scanner and then waved me through. I just didn't want to get there and have the wrong passport and get rejected. Maybe it's best to get the new passport? although my current one still has 5 years to go on it.....

Expon,

Machine readable it is. What you have is adequate and is the same as what I have and have used.

 

[littl_flier]

A quick way to check is to see whether there are two lines of 44 characters at the bottom of the photo page. If so, then it's a machine readable passport. If not, maybe call Passports Australia (131232) to check. Could help forking out a couple of hundred dollars....

 

[drron]

My passport was issued in December 98 and is machine readable and has been accepted by the US 2-3 times a year the last time last month.I dont think you have any problems with the visa waiver program.

 

[serfty]

A bit more in this thread:

• http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/community/your-questions/visa-to-us-5393.html?post63206

The machine readable part is the two lines of type on the bottom of photo page: e.g.

P<AUSNURK<FRED<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< J1234567<4AUS510131M0802288<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<04

A 'machine' would read this as Australian passport number J1234567 for Fred Nurk (no middle name), born 31st Jan 1951, male expiring on 28th February 2008.

 

[NM]

All current Australian passports are "machine readable". Machine readable passports have been issued by the Australian government for way more than 10 years, which is the maximum validity for any current passport.

Be sure you qualify for the VWP and are not included in any of the noted reasons for needing a Visa (i.e. criminal record, previous member of the naz_ party etc).

I have entered the USA on the VWP at least 30 times (may be closer to 40 times now).

 

[simongr]

As with the others I have used the VWP on my 5-6 trips to/through the US over the past two years with no problems. Just read the instructions carefully on filling it in as it can be a bit confusing as to where in the box you need to write stuff - if you get it wrong you are off to the back of the queue.

Main advice as with everyone else is to make sure you dont have something suspect in your background - there was a thread here not so recently where someone posted wanting advice that despite an impending court case the should "just go for it"... we did not provide said advice

Is there anyway that you can get an APEC card?

 

[Shano]

Pre VWP days my wife (at the time) sent her PP to the American consulate to have the visa issued. They subsequently lost her PP and she had to apply for a new one. The PP was couriered from our Melbourne office so there was definitely a record of receipt at the consulate. This wouldn't have been so bad but we were trying to organise to get her to the US as I was based there at the time. In the end it all worked out but was definitely a hassle.

So as other's have metioned, if you qualify, go the VWP route.

In case you are unaware of the merits of the APEC card that simongr mentioned above, have a look at this thread:

 

[Mal]

All current Australian passports are "machine readable". Machine readable passports have been issued by the Australian government for way more than 10 years, which is the maximum validity for any current passport.

Yep, There may be a couple of 'emergency' passports issued by far flung consulates that aren't machine readable, (or could have a stuck on photo rather than it being digital), but for all intents and purposes any normal passport issued by the Australian Government is machine readable.

The OP should check out the following US Govt website which explains in detail the passport requirements, with really good diagrams and examples.

DHS | Visa Waiver Program: Passport Requirements Timeline

 

[NM]

Is there anyway that you can get an APEC card?

An APEC Business Traveller Card is not going to provide an alternative to a Visa or VWP for USA. They only recognise the card as an entitlement to use the crew/express lanes for processing. You still need a visa or I94W form when using an APEC BTC.

 

[simongr]

Apologies - that was partially not my intent - more on minimising the time spent being sent to the back of the line.

 

[Maca44]

Sorry for re-hashing the visa waiver program, but am with a mate who was in the process of applying for a visa on the VisaPoint website so he could get an appointment etc. In all other threads concerning the use of the VWP it clearly states that if you have been "arrested or charged" with an offence you must apply for a visa, however, when he went through the relevant screens, one of them states:

Please note that the following travelers are always ineligible to travel VWP and must apply for a visa:

1.Individuals intending to accept paid or unpaid employment in the U.S. (includes au-Pairs and interns)
2. Individuals who qualify for the Visa Waiver Program but want to stay longer then 90 days
3. Individuals who want to attend school or university (Including English Language Programs)
4. Individuals who intend to work in the U.S. as journalists
4. Individuals who have been denied entry on a previous occasion or have been expelled from the U.S. during the last five years.
5. Individuals who have been previously refused a visa and who have not had a visa issued since that refusal
6. Individuals who have a criminal record or are drug traffickers
7. Individuals who are drug addicts or have a serious transmittable disease (e. g. HIV or AIDS) or mental disorder
8. Individuals who were involved in the naz_ persecutions
9. Individuals who were or still are members of a subversive or terrorist organization
10. Individuals who hold a travel document that was issued by the Geneva Convention (e.g. refugees)
Do any of these categories apply to you?
[] No, the above categories DO NOT apply to me.
[] Yes, one of the above categories applies to me​

In all other theads it has been discussed that if you have been "arrested OR charged" you must apply for a visa, but then when you do the right thing, go through the US Embassy website and through the appropriate links to apply for such a visa you arrive at this page which only refers to a "criminal record". Although my friend was charged the matter was withdrawn by Police when it went to Court when the real offender was arrested, so he has no criminal record. It is confusing when one official site says to apply, and then when you follow the links it say you don't. He has printed out the relevant page in the event he is asked when he arrives.
​

 

[JohnK]

In all other theads it has been discussed that if you have been "arrested OR charged" you must apply for a visa, but then when you do the right thing, go through the US Embassy website and through the appropriate links to apply for such a visa you arrive at this page which only refers to a "criminal record". Although my friend was charged the matter was withdrawn by Police when it went to Court when the real offender was arrested, so he has no criminal record.

I am almost certain that the USA is just using scare tactics to get people to apply for a visa. I think the initial visa application is ~$175 and then ~$45 if the visa application is approved. I understand that there is no refund of the initial visa application fee if the visa application is rejected.

I do not believe, nor does it sound logical, that Australia, or any other country in the world, sends to the USA a list of people who have been arrested and whether a conviction has been recorded against them unless the offence was of a very serious nature, like terrorism, murder, armed robbery etc.

I know someone who has had 2 convictions for drug use and has visited the USA under the VWP on a number of occassions.

Another got arrested for a very minor offence and did not attend the court case but through a solicitor sent a letter to the magistrate and was fined with no conviction recorded. He has visited the USA under the VWP a few times.

Is it luck? I don't think so....

 

[serfty]

... I know someone who has had 2 convictions for drug use and has visited the USA under the VWP on a number of occassions.

Another got arrested for a very minor offence and did not attend the court case but through a solicitor sent a letter to the magistrate and was fined with no conviction recorded. He has visited the USA under the VWP a few times.

Is it luck? I don't think so....

Note that if said issues were finalised more than 10 years ago, Government agencys are generally prevented by law from passing that information on. There's a few posts on AFF about past or spent convictions in relation to visiting the US.

 

[Dave Noble]

Suggesting that a person deliberately lie on the visa waiver form or the idea that it wont likely be noticed is one of the worst ideas around. Anyone doing this deserves to get caught and sent back on the next flight back to their origin .. plus they are likely also to have difficulty visiting the USA ( and other countries that have restrictions on admitting persons refused entry/deported from a country ) in future

Dave

 

[JohnK]

Note that if said issues were finalised more than 10 years ago, Government agencys are generally prevented by law from passing that information on.

I was referring to recent issues. I am not suggesting anyone lie on the VWP form but there are many people doing it. It does not make it right but one has to question the information exchange between countries.

 

[serfty]

Sometimes the communication connects:

• http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/com...a-waiver-program-to-usa-6431-2.html#post98277