How do I get a tourist visa for Hawaii from Australia?

Holders of the Australian passport who wish to travel to Hawaii can do so without having to obtain a visa. This is possible for up to 90 days through the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). It is also worthy of note that any time spent in the USA, Mexico, Canada, or adjacent islands will account for the maximum allowable 90 days.

Hawaii is a unique holiday destination that attracts many visitors every year. People come from all over the world to experience the stunning beaches and Hawaiian life, many of whom return to the destination over and over again. As Hawaii is classed as part of the United States, anybody wanting to visit the island is required to have the appropriate travel authorization.

For citizens from a country that is part of the Visa Waiver Program, obtaining travel authorization to visit Hawaii can be in the form of an ESTA. An ESTA stands for electronic system for travel authorization, and it can be obtained by completing a short online form.

Can Australians apply for ESTA?

As Australia is part of the Visa Waiver Program, citizens of Australia are able to apply for the ESTA instead of a visa. It is easy to apply for an ESTA for Australian Citizens and often the applicant receives confirmation that the ESTA has been processed within just minutes of applying.

However, it is recommended that people apply for the ESTA well in advance, so that they do not risk disrupting their travel plans. If you are planning on traveling to Hawaii as a family, an ESTA is required for each individual member of the family. Each applicant simply needs to fill out the form and provide all of the required information, including passport details. If the ESTA is approved, it will then be electronically linked to the passport and valid for two years (or until the passport expires, if this is sooner).

What are the requirements for Australians to get an ESTA for Hawaii?

An ESTA is for tourism and business purposes for visits to the US of no more than 90 days in total, so as long as the applicant is visiting for a short holiday, or to visit friends or family, for example, the ESTA visa is the right type of travel authorization. An ESTA can be used multiple times to visit the US, provided that the limit of 90 days is not overstayed.

However, if the Australian citizen wanted to stay for longer than 90 days, or wanted to seek employment in Hawaii, then they would need to apply for a visa instead. There may also be some circumstances that lead to an ESTA being declined, such as medical conditions or criminal convictions and in this case, a visa application may provide the opportunity to visit Hawaii.

How Australian citizens can apply for a tourist visa for Hawaii?

Applying for a tourist visa for Hawaii takes longer than applying for an ESTA and it requires the applicant to attend an interview at the US Embassy. They must complete the DS-160 Form and arrange an interview, which can take a few weeks to schedule, depending on how busy the office is at that time. If there are any medical conditions or criminal convictions involved, the applicant should take supporting documents to the interview with them e.g. letter from their physician or the police providing further details.