Travelling to USA from Australia: Visa, Flights, Tips [2025]

Travelling to the United States of America (USA) from Australia, whether for work, study or a dream holiday, requires some careful planning. With a minimum flight time of around 14 hours from Australia’s east coast to Los Angeles and 50 different states to explore, ensuring you can make the most of your time there is essential.

From the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, to the vibrancy of Las Vegas, countless, breathtaking national parks, the buzz of the New York metropolis and more, America is a destination with something for everyone.

No matter if you’re visiting for a short break or an extended stay as a student, understanding visa requirements, how to sort out sim cards, finances and insurance is a must before you depart. In this guide, we’ll delve into the details, so you can feel prepared and confident to tackle all the USA offers.

We'll also introduce to you Wise Travel Card that can help you save on international transactions with currency conversions at mid-market exchange rates.

Table of contents
Australia to USA Travel Requirements Guide to American Visas from Australia Applying for an American Visa Waiver Flying to the USA from Australia Checklist for Australia to America Travel Travel Insurance for the USA Making Payments in the USA

---

Australia to USA Travel Requirements

Depending on the purpose of your travel, duration and your residency status in Australia, you will either need to arrange a visa or complete a visa waiver in advance of travel.

American Visas for Australian Citizens

If you are visiting the USA for tourism or work purposes and will stay for less than 90 days, you do not need a visa.¹ You will, however, need to apply for the visa waiver program online, which we will cover in more detail below.

Students

If you are heading over to study, you are required to obtain a student visa (F-1 or J-1 visa) via an American Embassy before doing so.² Extensive documentation is required for this visa including proof of enrolment from a relevant school, college or university in the USA as well as pre-payment of the visa and student fee. An interview with an embassy representative may also be required to confirm eligibility and determine visa duration.²

Employees

Should you need to work in the USA for longer than 90 days, a special working visa (E-3 visa) is available to Australians as part of the Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement (AUSFTA).³ This visa, which can be renewed indefinitely in two-year increments, can only be obtained where you have sponsorship from a US employer and meet other key criteria.

Visa Waiver Program

This allows Australian citizens to travel to the United States for business or tourism for stays of up to 90 days without a visa. You must apply online for the waiver via the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before departing and carry the authorisation with you.¹

It should be noted that this document does not guarantee admission into the United States, only that you are eligible based on your country of citizenship.¹ Should you have any criminal convictions or other concerns that may conflict with American immigration law, it is recommended to speak with your local US embassy before booking travel.

American Visa for Australian Resident Permit holders

As an Australian resident, if your passport country is one of the 42 countries included in the Visa Waiver Program, you can travel for work or tourism for 90 days visa-free in the same way an Aussie citizen can. Should you not be eligible for this, you will need to pursue a nonimmigrant visa at a US Embassy or Consulate.¹

When it comes to studying as a non-AU citizen, you will need to check the restrictions or conditions for student visas in the USA relevant to your passport country. Residency in Australia does not appear to alter the application process for student visas at this time.

Workwise, while you cannot apply for the E-3 visa offered to Australian citizens, you can pursue a H-1B Visa which is open to all nationalities. The fee for this visa is higher than the E-3 and validity is generally capped at 6 years. Sponsorship by a US employer will also be required.³

Applying for an American Visa Waiver from Australia

To obtain an ESTA Visa Waiver for travel to the USA, you will need to do the following⁴:

1. Go to the ESTA application website
2. Read the disclaimers and travel clause
3. Enter applicant information and personal details
4. Input your travel information
5. Answer eligibility questions
6. Review your application
7. Pay the fee (USD 21 as of March 2025)
8. Upload a clear photo of your passport
9. Confirm your email address and submit

It can take up to 72 hours to get an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recommends applying at least 72 hours before traveling to the United States.⁴

Important details

• Once issued, a Visa Waiver is generally valid for 2 years or until the passport expires⁴
• If you are a dual citizen using more than one passport, a separate visa waiver is required for each of these⁴
• Waiver approvals are communicated directly to airlines, so you do not have to carry a physical copy, however, noting your approval number is recommended⁴

For support applying for a US visa or where you are denied a visa waiver, please contact your nearest US Embassy or Consulate in Australia for support.

Flying to the USA from Australia

Who you fly with and how long it will take to get from Australia to the USA can vary depending on where you depart from and which US city you are heading to.

To give an idea of what to expect, below are some of the main options for departures from either Perth or Sydney to Los Angeles on America’s west coast and New York on their east coast. Direct flights are regularly available between Australia’s east coast and Los Angeles, otherwise you may like to enjoy an included stopover and explore somewhere new on the way.

Departure City	Arrival City	Airlines	Flight Duration	Stopovers
Sydney	Los Angeles	American Airlines, Delta, Qantas, United Airlines	Approximately 13h 50m	Non-stop flights available
Sydney	New York	Qantas, United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta, Singapore Airlines	Approximately 20h+	Typically one stopover. Depending on the airline this may be in Los Angeles, San Francisco or Singapore.
Perth	Los Angeles	Qantas, Virgin Australia, Air New Zealand, Emirates, American Airlines	Approximately 20h 15m	Usually one stopover. Depending on the airline, this may be in Sydney, Auckland or Dubai.
Perth	New York	Qantas, Emirates, Singapore Airlines	Approximately 24h+	Typically one or two stopovers. Depending on the airline, this may be in Sydney, Melbourne, Singapore, Dubai or Los Angeles

What can I bring into the USA?

General items such as clothing, toiletries, personal electronics, prescribed medications or similar can all be brought into the USA. However, just like Australia, the USA has strict border protections in place concerning restricted and prohibited items.

To ensure you are compliant with all customs regulations, you should refrain from bringing in⁵:

• Dangerous children's toys
• Bush meat and certain animal products or animal by-products
• Illegal substances like absinthe, Rohypnol and other controlled drugs
• Firearms and other weapons
• Certain fruits and vegetables
• Counterfeit items and more

Permits may be granted for restricted items in some instances, however, application for these must be done in advance of travel and approvals are subject to strict criteria being met. Contact US Customs and Border Protection for more details.

Duty-free allowances

Duty-free allowances in the USA vary by item, state of arrival, age of the traveller and other criteria.⁵ Should you wish to bring alcohol or tobacco, for example, into the USA, we recommend seeking confirmation of allowances based on your circumstances from the relevant authority.

Documents to carry before flying to the USA

To allow for a smooth journey to the USA and through arrivals, you should ensure you have the following:

• A valid passport. For US entry, it must be valid for the duration of your intended stay. However, a general travel recommendation is to have at least 6 months of validity remaining from your planned return date.
• Either a record of your Visa Waiver approval number or evidence of your approved visa for travel, study or work in the USA

While vaccination records or proof of insurance are not required for those travelling under the Visa Waiver Program, these may be required for those on a long-stay visa.⁶ Even if submitted during the application process, it is advisable to also travel with copies of these for inspection by immigration officials if requested.

Checklist for Australia to America Travel

Ready to pack and start your travels to the USA? Here are a few final things to keep in mind that can help you have the best time away:

• Travel adapters and electronics. The USA uses Type A/B power outlets (120V, 60Hz). Bring a US power adapter and a voltage converter if your devices are not dual voltage. A universal travel adapter with USB ports can be useful for multiple devices.

• Mobile connectivity options. Check if your Australian provider offers affordable international roaming. If not, alternatives include a US eSIM or a local prepaid SIM for better rates and coverage, if opting for the former, just be sure to check your phone supports eSIM activation before purchasing a plan.

• Pack climate/season-appropriate clothing. Remember, the USA is in the Northern Hemisphere so their seasons are opposite to Australia with Winter being December to February and Summer June to August. While Spring and Autumn can be fairly mild and easy to manage with layers, summers can be very hot and winters snowy and below freezing, so pack mindfully.

• Health and safety. Travel insurance is strongly recommended. Any prescription medications should be accompanied by a doctor’s letter and you should bring enough to cover the trip duration. Check Smartraveller for up to date travel safety advice and share copies of important documents with a trusted emergency contact.

Travel Insurance for the USA

Ever heard the saying ‘if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel’? While this is certainly great advice for all destinations, in the USA it's especially true. Basic medical care in the USA can be prohibitively expensive. Should an emergency requiring hospital admission or medical evacuation occur, the costs involved can extend into hundreds of thousands, if not millions of dollars.

For a complete guide, click here to review the best travel insurance providers for USA 👉

As such, it is strongly recommended to ensure you have sufficient travel insurance, as it not only assists with emergency medical care but may also protect you against theft, cancellations, rental car damage and more. Different insurers will offer variations in coverage and policy costs, so be sure to shop around and read the terms and conditions in detail before purchasing.

Managing Your Finances in the USA

When it comes to spending while you’re in the USA, both cash and card are widely accepted. However, with the AUD to USD exchange rate being generally unfavourable, ensuring you minimise fees and access the best rate is essential to making your money go further.

Cash Considerations

No matter where you travel, it's always a good idea to keep some local currency on hand for small purchases or emergencies. Whether you withdraw this on arrival or arrange it beforehand, you'll want to ensure you’re getting the best exchange rate with minimal fees.

A dedicated travel money card can be an ideal solution for this. It allows you to track exchange rates, convert funds from AUD to USD when the rate is good, and then hold that balance to withdraw from ATMs as needed. Look for a provider that uses the mid-market exchange rate with no hidden markups and low, transparent fees for ATM use abroad. This helps you maximise your budget and avoid travelling with large amounts of cash.

Best Ways to Get Foreign Currency 👉

The Hidden Costs of Using Your Australian Bank Cards

Visa, Mastercard and American Express are widely supported throughout the USA, which means your Australian-issued debit or credit card will likely work without issue. Digital wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay are also common in major retailers.

However, while convenient, using your home bank's card abroad can come with several costly fees, including:

• Currency conversion fees, often 3% or more of the transaction amount.
• Overseas ATM withdrawal fees from both your bank and the local ATM provider.
• Poor exchange rates with hidden markups on top of the fees.

For this reason, it is important to review your card provider's terms and conditions for not only the foreign transaction fees but also the currency conversion rate. This is usually marked up from the mid-market exchange rate you usually see on Google — and the one used by Wise.

Heading to the USA? Maximise your USD spending with the Wise Card

Don't let high bank fees and poor exchange rates eat into your US travel budget. With the Wise card, you can hold, spend, and withdraw USD like a local. The Wise card is a simple way to save up to 7x when you're spending internationally. You can spend in 150+ countries at mid-market rate — basically the rate you see on Google. With no foreign transaction fees and low, transparent pricing, Wise usually gives you the best value for your money.

Simply create a Wise account for free, order a card and top-up AUD to get started. Having a physical Wise card allows you to make chip and pin payments, as well as make some free ATM withdrawals each month for when you're abroad. You can get digital cards and add to your Google or Apple Pay wallet for instant use. Spend directly with the Wise account in AUD and let auto-conversion do the trick or convert in advance to your desired currency. You can hold and exchange 40+ currencies in your Wise account and spend the currencies you hold for free.

Wherever your travel takes you, the Wise card makes spending money abroad cheaper and easier.

🚀 Get your Wise card

---

This general advice does not take into account your objectives, financial circumstances or needs and you should consider if it is appropriate for you. Savings claim based on our rates vs. selected Australian banks and other similar providers in Jan 2025. To learn more please visit https://growth-layer.live/au/compare%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E

Please see Terms of Use and product availability for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

---

Sources:

1. US Customs & Border Protection - Visa Waiver Program
2. US Embassy & Consulates Australia - Student Visas
3. DFAT Australia - US Work Visas
4. ESTA - Application
5. US Customs & Border Protection - Restricted & Prohibited Items
6. US State Department - Vaccinations

Sources checked on 19 September 2025