Iran 53,510
Iraq 68,180
Libya 2,510
Sudan 23,380
South Sudan 4,410
Syria 13,660
Yemen 660
When one adds to this an unknown number of Australians who have travelled to these countries since 1 July 2011 and face the possibility of being denied a U.S. tourist or work visa on that basis, the number of Australia citizens and permanent residents potentially affected grows.
Smartraveller.gov.au:
Changes to entry requirements from 27 January 2017
The
US State Department has advised visa issuance to nationals of Iraq, Iran,
Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen has been temporarily suspended following
the signing of the Executive Order on Protecting the Nation from Terrorist
Attacks by Foreign Nationals on 27 January 2017.
Australians
who are dual citizens of Iran, Iraq, Sudan, or Syria are no longer eligible to
apply for an ESTA to enter the United States under the VWP. Any of these
Australians who have previously been issued an ESTA are likely to have the ESTA
revoked.
Australians
who have travelled to Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen since
1 March 2011 will also no longer be eligible to apply for an ESTA to enter the
United States under the VWP.
If
you are affected by these changes and wish to travel to the United States, you
will need to apply for a non-immigrant visa at a US Embassy or Consulate.
Exceptions from these travel restrictions will be made for Australians who have
travelled on official Australian Defence Force or Australian Government
business. No exceptions will be made for government officials or ADF members
who are dual citizens of Iran, Iraq, Syria or Sudan.
The
Secretary of Homeland Security may waive these travel restrictions on a case by
case basis for travellers from the following categories: Australians who have
travelled on behalf on international organisations, regional organisations or
State and Territory governments on official duty; Australians who have
travelled on behalf of a humanitarian NGO; Australian journalists who have
travelled for reporting purposes; Australians who have travelled to Iran for
legitimate business-related purposes following the conclusion of the Joint Comprehensive
Plan of Action on 14 July 2015; or Australians who have travelled to Iraq for
legitimate business-related purposes. Those travellers who are potentially
eligible for waivers do not need to apply separately for this – an application
will be automatically generated by the ESTA questionnaire.
If
you need to apply for a non-immigrant visa, the United States Visa Information
Service for Australia encourages applicants to apply at least three months in
advance of the intended date of travel.
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