Visas, ESTAs, social media? Everything you need to know about travel to the US

Tightening border scrutiny, evolving visa requirements and baffling social media rules are making travel to the US more complex for Australians - and reshaping where they choose to go.

Australian Bureau of Statistics data released on February 12 confirmed Aussies are bypassing the US in favour of closer, simpler options in Asia and New Zealand.

Part of the reason is the "chill factor" - a growing perception among travellers that the US has become less welcoming following the second Trump administration's policy shifts.

Griffith Institute for Tourism director Daniel Gschwind told Explore on February 19 that perceptions of safety and welcome play a decisive role in travel decisions.

"So at the back of everyone's mind is always, am I safe and will I be welcome ... and although these instances of border problems may be rare, they nevertheless play on the minds of visitors," he said.

"It introduces an element of uncertainty in people's mind and uncertainty is not something you want associated with travel."

Most Australians travelling to the US for tourism or business do not need a visa.

Instead, they can enter under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), which allows stays of up to 90 days.

Travellers must apply online for an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before boarding their flight.

Unlike a visa, the ESTA is not issued by an embassy and typically takes minutes to complete.

An ESTA costs roughly $30 and is valid for two years, or until the passport expires - whichever comes first.

Approval is often granted within minutes, but authorities recommend applying at least 72 hours before departure in case additional checks are required.

Australians travelling to the US under the Visa Waiver Program could soon be required to show US authorities their social media data from the past five years to get into the country.

In a proposal announced on December 10 by the by US Customs and Border Protection and the Department of Homeland Security, ESTA applicants will need to provide the names of their social media accounts for the past five years.

Currently, ESTA applicants may voluntarily provide their social media history, and are prompted for their Facebook profile, LinkedIn name, Instagram handle and X identification.

Additional proposed rules would require travellers to provide the last 10 years of email addresses, IP addresses, photo metadata, biometric data and details about their family members.

Mr Gschwind said the proposal was a "highly unusual action for a country to take".

"I don't know how this will play out. On the one hand we are warned about cyber security and digital safety and then to be asked that is probably a bit confronting for a lot of people."

Not all travellers qualify for an ESTA.

You will generally need a full visa if you plan to stay longer than 90 days, want to work in the US, have been denied entry previously, have certain criminal convictions or have travelled to certain restricted countries in recent years.

Visa applications are more complex, involving embassy interviews, paperwork and longer processing times.

Travellers are advised to apply well in advance if a visa is required.

Your passport must be valid for the entire duration of your stay. Damage, water exposure or significant wear can result in boarding refusal.

The name on your ESTA must exactly match your passport. Even small differences can cause problems at check-in or border control.

While the US remains at a "standard" travel advice level, the Australian Government's Smartraveller service has reinforced warnings regarding the country's notoriously strict entry requirements.

The US federal government entered a partial shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security on February 14 leaving tens of thousands of Transportation Security Administration and Border Protection officers working without pay.

While these officers remain at their posts as they are deemed "essential", the standoff has led to warnings of staffing shortages and increased wait times at major entry hubs like Los Angeles and JFK airports.

The persistent weakness of the Australian dollar against the greenback has long been a primary hurdle for those eyeing a trip to the States, but recent weeks have finally offered a reprieve.

After a sluggish 2025, the local currency has staged an impressive comeback, rallying for four consecutive weeks to hit a fresh high of US71c this February.

This rebound - driven by a combination of high local interest rates and a softening US economy - has ensured a trip to the US is roughly 10 per cent cheaper than last year.