Yahoo Finance Instant entry permits scrapped for Australians flying to USA
Australian citizens with travel plans to the USA will now need at least three days to obtain their entry permit.
Australians are one of several nationalities that the USA allows entry into the country without a visa. In lieu of a visa, these visitors must attain a Electronic System for Travel Authorization — an ESTA — after filling in an online questionnaire and paying US$14.
Previously, if the applicant ticked off certain criteria, the online system would grant the ESTA immediately. But that is now no longer the case, warning potential visitors to apply “no later than 72 hours before departing for the United States”.
“Real-time approvals will no longer be available and arriving at the airport without a previously approved ESTA will likely result in being denied boarding,” states the ESTA website.
ESTA is designed for visitors intending to stay less than 90 days, and one approval is valid for unlimited trips for two years or until the passport expires. The visa waiver can be used for both leisure and business.
In the past, when ESTA instant approvals were available, it was possible to obtain one at the airport or at the Canadian land border crossing.
Australians intending to live in the USA or visiting for special purposes, such as journalism, must still apply for a visa fit for their purpose.
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