Trump is NOT axing visa-free Aussie travel to the USA
By David Flynn, January 29 2017
No change to visa-free ESTA travel, but some visas will require an interview at the US consulate before they can be renewed.
There's been plenty of misreporting over the impact of President Trump's Executive Order to tighten immigration into the USA, including aspects of travelling to the US for both leisure and business.
Some news outlets have incorrectly claimed that Australians planning to visit the US "could be forced to undertake an in-person interview with American officials under strict new border rules."
This is utter nonsense stemming from an incorrect reading of the Executive Order and a lack of understanding of the current US system for both visa and visa-free travel. So here's the real deal.
Visa-free ESTA travel
There's no change to the current and largely hassle-free ESTA 'visa waiver' scheme which allows travellers to enter the USA without obtaining a visa, simply by completing an online application.
Most travellers to the USA do so under the ESTA visa-waiver program, with ESTA clearances valid for two years and allowing an unlimited number of entries into the US for both business and leisure purposes.
When your ESTA permit expires, you jump back online and apply for a new one. Nothing about this process will change.
Read more: Visa-free entry to the USA – what you need to know about ESTA
Travel requiring a visa
ESTA aside, there are still many instances where a visa is required. It's necessary to visit the US consulate for an interview as part of the application for these visas, but no interview is needed when it's time to renew the visa.
This is where some publications mucked it up: they confused the ESTA-based Visa Waiver Program (VWP) with the Visa Interview Waiver Program (VIWP). The former removes the need for a visa; the latter removes the need to be interviewed for some visa renewals.
Under President Trump's Executive Order, the VIWP has been suspended – meaning that some travellers with a US visa will have to attend the US Consulate for an interview before their visa is renewed.
The specific reference, from Section 8 of Trump's 'Protecting the Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry Into the United States' Executive Order, determines that "the Secretary of State shall immediately suspend the Visa Interview Waiver Program and ensure compliance with section 222 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1222, which requires that all individuals seeking a nonimmigrant visa undergo an in-person interview, subject to specific statutory exceptions."
For further information, visit au.usembassy.gov.
Readers are reminded to keep their comments on topic: this is not the place to discuss US politics or President Trump.
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
29 Aug 2013
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Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
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Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
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Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
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In your example, a dual Iraqi-Australia travelling on an Australian passport would be banned if their Australian passport had a visitor visa stamped in it and I would assume this would extend to ESTA.
The last time I used ESTA if did ask about dual nationality.
You can use ESTA to check the status of your ESTA visa - I would be doing that.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 May 2011
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How we just need a dual national Aussie to give it a go and let us know the result.
14 Jun 2013
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29 Jan 2017
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Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
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Air New Zealand - Airpoints
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Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer - Chairmans Lounge
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QF
12 May 2011
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It has subsequently challenged by the ACLU in the US Federal Court with the effect that those holding existing and current visas can continue to travel to the US.
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QF
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In late 2014, more questions were added to the form re family members
In late 2015, optional questions relating to social media were added and people holding VWP eligible passport who had visiting one of the 7 listing middle eastern nations since 2011 were banned from using the VWP, being required to get a visa instead.
In the last few days, the VIWP was removed, which did not impact on the VWP at all; and the travel ban on all refugees and anyone from the 7 middle eastern nations put in place. This travel ban also impacted duel nationals with a number of Canadian and European citizens holding a 2nd "bad" passport being turned back.
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Qantas
15 Jun 2016
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Looking wrote "but then again Americans call McDonalds a "restaurant".
Actually, McDonalds itself as part of their marketing image have been calling McDonalds a Restaurant for over 30 years .
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