Qualification for Entering the US on the Visa Waiver Program

• Instead of a visa, you need an Electronic System of Travel Authorization (ESTA).
• You should be travelling for tourism, business or transit purposes only.
• You should be travelling to the US for up to 90 days.
• If you are travelling by air or sea, you need to have an onward or return ticket. You will also need to show a copy of your itinerary to the immigration officer.
• You need to show proof of adequate funds to support your stay and travel in the US.

The most interesting thing is that applying for an ESTA is super-easy and it takes just 5 minutes to complete the process. The US Department of Homeland Security stated that there is a 99% approval rate for the ESTA. Your ESTA is valid for 2 years.

Passport Requirements for an ESTA

Anyone, who wishes to travel to America on the Visa Waiver Program, regardless of their age, must have a machine-readable passport. If your machine-readable passport was issued or renewed after October 26, 2006, it must carry an integrated chip, with all the details from your e-passport, says an article on US Travel Docs. If your machine-readable passport was issued between October 26, 2005 to October 25, 2006, your e-passport should have your digital photograph.

Visa Requirements for the US

If you are applying for a US visa, you need fulfil certain eligibility criteria. Along with this, you will need to submit some documents, along with your visa application form, such as:

• A valid passport.
• Copy of confirmation page of the DS-160 application form.
• Copy of the confirmation page for the scheduled interview appointment.
• Copy of previous US visas, if you have travelled to the US before.
• A certificate from the Australian police authorities stating that you are of good character, with no criminal record.
• A health certificate from an authorized doctor, stating that you are fit to travel to the US and that you meet the health eligibility criteria set by the US embassy.
• If you are applying for a B-2 visa, you will require a letter of invitation from family or friends living in the US for your visitor visa.
• If you have ever been denied entry into the US, you will need to submit documents stating the reason for the rejection.
• Your bank statements, indicating that you have sufficient funds to support your travel and stay in the US.

USA is a hugely diverse land. Make sure you do your research and have an itinerary planned to make the most of your trip.

The ETA is an Australian tourist visa that permits you to stay in Australia for up to 3 months within a period of one year from the time the ETA is granted. It is different from the traditional visa since there is no stamp on your passport and it is free of cost. The online application charge for an ETA is AUD20 and you receive it within a day of your application being processed.

You need to apply for an ETA if you are visiting Australia for a vacation, visiting your family, or attend a business conference or meeting. You can also take part in a trade fair or seminar with a valid ETA.

Eligibility Criteria for Australian Visa ETA

• You must have a valid US passport
• You must leave the country before the expiration date of the ETA
• You must not work in Australia with an ETA
• You must not study or participate in a training course for more than 3 months
• You must not have any criminal record
• You must not have tuberculosis at the time of entering Australia.

Remember, ETA is a temporary visa and you cannot stay beyond its expiry date.

Although US citizens can get an Australian visa for up to 90 days, there are some important things you must know before applying for the Australian ETA Visa.

What is an ETA?

Electronic Travel Authority or ETA is an Australian Tourist Visa that authorizes the holder to enter and travel within the country. It is electronically linked to your passport and allows you to stay in Australia for up to 90 days over a period of 12 months.

With an ETA, you don’t need a visa label or stamp on your passport. It can used if you want to travel as a tourist or need to visit on business. However, it is not a work visa. So, if you wish to find work in Australia, you will need to apply for a suitable work permit.

Eligibility Criteria for ETA

• When applying for Tourist ETA, you need to be traveling to Australia for tourism purposes. The same holds true for a Business ETA.
• Tourist activities may include vacation or recreational activities or visiting family members, while business activities may include meetings, conferences, negotiations or employment inquiries.
• You must have USA passport.
• You can visit for up to 3 months over a period of one year.
• You must not enroll in any academic course or work while you are in Australia with an ETA.
• You must be in good health and must be free of tuberculosis.
• You must have good character.

Applying for an ETA

Applying for an Australian ETA visa is a simple and convenient process. You simply need to visit the Australian government’s Department of Immigration and Border Protection website and apply for an ETA. The steps to apply include:

• Enter your personal and passport details. This will include your name, date of birth, country from where passport is issued, passport details and so on.
• You will have to enter your criminal record, if any. If you have ever been convicted and sent to prison for 12 months or more, you are not eligible to apply for an ETA.
• Pay the processing fees. Some credit cards are accepted for fee payment, including American Express, Visa and MasterCard.

When you apply online, the application for your ETA is processed automatically. Generally, you will get a response immediately. If you are not comfortable applying online, you can contact the nearest Australian visa office.

If you are applying for an Australian ETA for the first time, you should take help from a trusted visa consultant. Make sure you buy travel insurance before traveling to Australia, to protect yourself against the cost of unexpected injuries, illnesses, or travel risks while you are traveling abroad..

So, what are you waiting for? Apply for the Australia ETA visa today and explore the country’s diverse beauty for yourself.