To ask a visa question - travelling to NZ and Aus via USA

[ABigSalad123]

Hi all, I’m going on holiday to Australia and New Zealand for a couple of weeks at the start of Feb - as I’m a chronic worrier, just posting for traffic to check I’ve got everything I need to comply with the visa requirements.

I've just bought an NZeTA visa for New Zealand and that’s been processed fine, and I’ve also applied online for an eVisitor visa for Australia.

When I fly back to the UK, I’m flying back from New Zealand via America. I’m not staying over in America, just transiting through an airport there, but my understanding is I’ll need to buy an ESTA even if I’m just staying in the airport and not actually leaving it.

Would be v grateful if anyone could confirm this is correct, and if I need anything else. Thanks!

Yep, that's correct.

Yep. ESTA for US

Thanks all!!

Just a further question - I’ve checked the status of my visa for Australia, and it says on the online account I used to apply for it that it’s ‘finalised’ and to check my messages for further details.

I can’t see any messages on my online account though, and I haven’t been emailed with any updates.

Does anyone know what the ‘finalised’ update means? Does it mean my visa is now all confirmed or sorted, or is it not fully confirmed until I’ve had an email confirmation? Thanks!

just an update - on my online account for the Australian visa, it says it’s been granted, but I haven’t got an email about it yet - do I also need an email?

you need an ESTA for transit through the US as well as proof of covid vaccination. The NZ and US visas electronically attach to your passport. Not sure re Australian one

Just checking back in - the latest is I’ve seen my Australian visa has been granted (at least I think it has, it says ‘granted’ next to my name and details on the online portal). It’s an e-visitor visa (the free one).

I haven’t got an email or any other notification to tell me the visa’s been granted.

Does anyone know if it’s sufficient just to have evidence in the online portal that my visa’s been granted? Thanks!

Aus one will be electronic. You will never be asked for it.

Having said that I always get an email with the grant letter attached. Did you enter you address correctly? You should be able to click on the link in the Immi website to see the grant letter anyway

Either way you won't be asked for the print out

Just checked my immi account (I'm a Uk citizen living in Nz so have loads of evisitor visas for Aus.

Click on your application then go to messages. You will see the letter of visa grant in there. Print it out if it gives you peace of mind but that is sufficient. I'd be checking it's correct though!

Yep if your bum lands in the US you need an ESTA. My boss didn’t know that and was entering it in a panic on her phone at the airport. Luckily it was approved by the time she landed.