Yes. I mean it really is as simple as that, yes, yes you can. You can get your first E3 Visa (or any renewals of visa) from inside OR outside of Australia. So why is this question asked so many times and why is there so much confusion? Can you get an E3 from a country other than Australia (for the first time?)
The main reason there is so much confusion is that there is a general recommendation from immigration attorneys that you should get your first visa in Australia.
Why do lawyers recommend getting your first E3 in Australia?
Well, the E3 visa is specifically for Australians, and therefore going into the US Consulate in Australia (Sydney, Melbourne OR Perth) will reliably be a safe place to go for someone to understand what is required for that visa.
If you go to a location outside of Australia, they are mostly (some aren't up to date) equipped to handle E3 visas, but some may not do them regularly, and some may have only ever done a handful at all. This will mean that there can be severe delays in processing and in some cases you may be rejected because they are not fully aware of what is required of you.
What is a Third Country National?
You are considered a “Third Country National” (TCN), as you are not from the country you are applying in, and you are not from the US. This will also mean that you are potentially pushed down the list and availabilities are not so open to you.
Do so at your own risk, but know that lots of people have done it before you!
Where can you get a visa from outside Australia?
For information on where to get your visa, you can use my review system! Every time someone completes their interview process they have the ability to write a review about how it went for them and I keep an aggregate score for all locations with reviews.
Click here to see the list of reviews for US visa locations!
In Australia, you are from Australia, therefore not a TCN, so there should be more availabilities for appointments and the process will be more accurate and straight forward.
Best of luck with your application!
What’s the latest best locations for locations other than Australia at the moment?
Can I apply for my E-3 visa in Auckland NZ. I live here but I have Aussie citizenship and a passport. I’m hoping to get a flying job ( First officer ) at an American Airline shortly ? I hope so anyway. I hope this process isn’t as terrible as it was in China ? How could it be ? Luckily my wife handled most of the paperwork , I just tagged along like a good boy !
Hi Josh!
The appointment wait time for non-immigrant visas in Ottawa is supposedly “30 days” according to travel.state.gov
But I went throught the application process, paid the fee, and got to Canada’s scheduling page, and the next appointment it offered me was November 2022!
What happened here?
Did I mess up somewhere? Did it automatically push me down the calendar for applying for E-3? Or are the state.gov estimate times super wrong?
Unfortunately the travel.state.gov estimates aren’t actually indicative of appointments (and never have been). You did everything right, there are just no appointments!
I see. Thanks!
If you qualify for a mail-in option to renew an E3, can you mail it in outside of Australia (due to COVID travel restrictions and consulates having limited interviews)?
Hi Kate, no, you must be in the district of the Consulate unfortunately.