The US administration has introduced new visa rules that are creating major challenges for thousands of Australians living in the United States. It was stated that these sudden changes were announced over the weekend and have already led to visa extension denials for some Australians, raising widespread concern among expat communities. In response, these groups have held urgent meetings with immigration lawyers to grasp the full impact of the new regulations.
American immigration lawyer Jonathan Grode, managing partner at the Philadelphia law firm Green & Spiegel, described a state of “full-on panic mode” among many affected individuals. The new directive from the State Department, issued without prior warning, states that Australians on working visas may now need to return to Australia every two years to attend an interview at a US consulate for visa renewal. This represents a major shift from previous practices, where Australians could conveniently renew their visas at US consulates in nearby countries like the UK or Barbados.
The new directive seems to discourage this option by warning visa applicants that they must be able to “demonstrate residence in the country where they are applying.” This change has already caught several individuals off guard. Josh Pugh, who runs the popular website and online community for Australians in the US, America Josh, mentioned that he had received reports from about a dozen people who traveled to London for visa interviews, only to be denied their visas due to the new directive. Mr. Pugh pointed out the significant trouble this created for those affected, as they were left without a visa to re-enter the United States.
One of those impacted is Lauren Eather, a New York-based Australian advertising executive who has lived in the US on an E-3 working visa for nearly a decade. Ms. Eather had a visa renewal appointment scheduled in London. The E-3 visa, a key feature of the 2005 US-Australia Free Trade Agreement, is available only to Australian citizens with a university degree and a related job offer in the US. The visa must be renewed every two years, but there is no limit on renewals. It also grants working rights to the visa holder’s spouse and covers their children under 21.
The widespread anxiety is evident within the community. Amy Meyer, who operates a recruitment firm providing advice on E-3 visas, organized an emergency online session with Mr. Grode. She reported that more than 700 people registered for the session in under 24 hours, underscoring the significant stress and worry among Australians who previously found the process straightforward.
Mr. Grode commented on the unclear nature of the new directive, noting that even staff at US consulates abroad seemed confused. He recalled an incident where his firm wrote to the consulate in London about a client’s visa denial and received a response stating that the consulate was “seeking additional guidance.” Mr. Grode hopes the rules might be relaxed for those on professional working visas like the E-3.
This directive is part of a wider trend of tightening visa regulations in the US. It includes a proposal to change visa conditions for students and media workers, which currently allow for renewals over several years. The proposed changes would shorten their maximum duration to 240 days and make extensions more difficult. Organizations advocating for press freedom, like Reporters Without Borders USA, have raised serious concerns.
