Question re the US visa requirements for Aussies
 

Hi

Firstly, what a lovely idea for the pay it forward ^. Thank you for being so generous to the FT community.

I have a question for the opposite scenario re Visas. I am an Australian citizen living in SYD. I recently did an MR to SFO in May so I applied for my own visa waiver via the Visa Waiver program online - no fees, easy and simple.

I am flying back over again on 16th July SYD-LAX-LAS-SFO-SYD with my daughter (so, yes I will need to do one for her as this is her first trip this year) and we then have a 3rd trip booked to LAX end September.

My question is: Do I have to reapply for the visa waiver EACH time I travel, or is the first one I did in May valid for a certain period of time? I do recall it asked how long I was staying, so maybe we do need to process one for each trip.

I was never asked about my waiver, nor did I need to present anything at any time on my earlier trip. My passport has the electronic chip so maybe that has somethng to do with it.

I would appreciate some advice on this, but I dont need help issuing the waiver, its all very easy to do for Aussies, at least.

Thanks :)

P.S I will be paying forward for the advice, by donating items to Lifeline here in Aust.

Downundergirl, I've taken the liberty of moving your post out from the visa thread for US citizens in the Australian forum. As you state, it is the reverse issue. You've gotten no responses since posting, and I'm afraid you will not in that thread. I've moved it into TravelBuzz in hopes that there will be some knowledgeable folks who can help.

All the best,

SanDiego1K
Senior Moderator

When you go on-line on the visa waiver site you have the option of just updating your dates (if you're already approved) or making a new application, as far as I remember.
K.

The "Electronic System for Travel Authorisation" .. ESTA :

"will be valid for a period of 2 years, such that a visitor may travel to the United States repeatedly within a two year period without having to apply for another ESTA"

Too bad we still have to fill out the green forms!!!

You beat me by 2 days... I'm out Saturday.....:D

You only have to change the address you will stay at.

Hi - thanks for the replies everyone and to our great mod for moving this thread to a more appropriate place. The pay it forward refers to some FTers who are kindly doing the USA citizens visas for Australia free of charge, but ask everyone to donate to a charity ^. I posted in that thread to start with.

I found the answer for myself by going to the website. Oops :o.

Yes, I just updated where I am staying and I am all set. Did a new visa waiver for my teen daughter. We will now be set for our trip in October too.

Trooper - sorry to miss you at the airport, been a long time :D. Flying to Vegas tomorrow - YEAH!!!! :p Enjoy your trip. Hope you got your visa waiver sorted.