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USA Visa – Travel Tips For Australians

Oz is beautiful, of that there is no doubt. Varied landscape, gorgeous weather, mouth-watering food, and of course amazing people! Despite all the wonders of the country, now and then even Australians need to leave their homeland to explore other parts of our beautiful planet home.

So if you’re an Australian who is set to travel, or just thinking about letting your itchy feet go exploring, you’d likely appreciate a few tips to ensure your travel experience is memorable for all the right reasons.

So here they come, the top four tips for Australian travelers, enjoy!

Tip Number 1 – Know The Visa Requirements

In 2009 a new program came into operation that means citizens of countries which are part of the Visa Waiver Program must have this travel authorization with them when entering the US.

As long as your planned trip is for less than 90 days, including proof that you have booked your return journey, then this travel authorization is sufficient, and a visa application is not required.

Before you start your journey, inform yourself on the Esta Visa Waiver Program and confirm that you have met all necessary requirements before zipping up your suitcase.

Tip Number 2 – Don’t Skimp on The Travel Insurance

Granted no one likes to think about the idea of having an accident or getting sick when abroad, whether it be for business or pleasure. Unfortunately taking on, ‘ostrich syndrome’, by burying your head in the sand to any potential of sickness when away from home, could have disastrous effects.

So tip number two is a crucial one; book yourself an excellent travel insurance policy, and don’t forget to bring your policy number and emergency contact number with you in your travel documents!

Tip Number 3 – Know The Tipping Rules!

In Australia, tipping just isn’t a done thing. I guess that’s why sometimes Australians get a bad reputation as being the worst nationality for tipping; the truth is, however, it just isn’t something that comes naturally!

So the rule for tipping in the US is pretty simple, of course remembering to do it is another story altogether. In general, if you’re sitting down to eat, you should be tipping your waiter.

So if you’ve grabbed a bit of street food, or a quick coffee on the go, tipping doesn’t even need to cross your mind. If however, you find yourself sitting at a table, being served by waiting for staff and tucking into a meal, whether it be breakfast, lunch or dinner, you’re within the tipping rule boundary.

So how much should you tip? A ball point figure of around 20% should keep you right. If you’re struggling with the tipping culture, just remember that waiters rely on it to make up a decent wage at the end of the week.

4. Be Aware Of Price Tags – What You See Isn’t Always What You Get

Most people who visit the US love to go on a good old shopping spree. Before you commit to buying, however, check the final price with a member of the sales staff. The price you see on the ticket will be excluding sales tax, so before you think you’ve bagged yourself a bargain, double check the figures.

So there’s no doubt, Australia is a beautiful country that welcomes countless visitors every year. Sometimes the natives want to have their share of traveling too! So if you’re planning to leave the country this year, whether it be for business or pleasure, be sure to check your travel document requirements carefully and purchase a good travel insurance policy.

After that, all you need to do is familiarize yourself with the customs and practices in the US, plan your journey carefully, and have a trip that will give you great memories years into the future.

For more information and travel tips:

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