Aussie tourists to register for US entry
The US Government is imposing tougher restrictions on Australians wanting to visit America.
Australia is currently one of more than two dozen countries that enjoy visa waiver rights for short-term travel to the US.
But from the beginning of next year Australians wanting to travel to America will have to register with the US Government at least three days in advance.
US Homeland Security secretary Michael Chertoff says the move will help identify potential terrorists.
“It’s very important to us to remain a welcoming country to visitors and business travellers and students from around the world, at the same time, recognise the importance of maintaining vigorous security standards,” he said.
“Recent intelligence has underscored the fact that Al Qaeda and similar extremists are attempting to recruit operatives who blend in to western society.”
Travellers will not be allowed on planes or cruise ships unless they produce this new US Government authorisation.
The US ambassador to Australia is defending the new entry requirements
Ambassador Robert McCallum says providing personal details ahead of a planned US trip will actually speed up the process.
“Australians that will be travelling to the United States under various visa programs will be able to, in my view, expedite their admission into the United States rather than defer it,” he said.
“There have been some privacy issues raised by some European countries but I doubt that is going to be a great impediment.”
Source: Michael Rowland, ABC
Tags: australian corporate travel, corporate travel, international updates
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