* An earlier version of this story reported the US Visa Waiver programme was under threat, as reported by international media. The programme being considered is actually the US Visa Interview Waiver programme, which only applies to people renewing certain categories of US visa.

Kiwis and Australians wanting to travel repeatedly to the US could be forced to undertake an in-person interview with American officials in order to renew their US visas, under strict new border rules US President Donald Trump is considering.

The Los Angeles Times, citing a draft copy of an executive order on immigration and refugees Trump is mulling, reported the visa interview waiver programme could be suspended.

REUTERS Kiwis planning to renew US visas may have to do in-person interviews under Trump's proposed rules.

The programme applies to certain categories of non-immigrant visas for Kiwis wanting to repeatedly travel to the US for reasons such as work or study, who would have to sit for an in-person interview under the new rules - probably at the US Consulate General in Auckland.

"The Secretary of State shall immediately suspend the Visa Interview Waiver programme and ensure compliance with section 222 of the INA (Immigration and Nationality Act), which requires that all individuals seeking a nonimmigrant visa, undergo an in-person interview, subject to specific statutory exceptions," the draft executive order states.

Read more:

* Travelling to the US: When your travel is not authorised under ESTA visa waiver

* New Zealand makes list of world's most powerful passports

* Sick at the cost of flight changes? How to cope in a travel emergency

The Los Angeles Times earlier reported the US was planning to suspend what it called the visa waiver programme, which would include any visitor to the US, including holidaymakers. That caused a scare that all Kiwis travelling to the US would have to undergo an interview.

The current visa waiver programme allows New Zealanders and citizens from 37 other countries a 90-day tourist visa to easily enter the US by simply submitting biographical information online. However, it is now understood that this will not be affected.

House of Travel commercial director Brent Thomas said Kiwis are keener than ever to travel Stateside. Last year, visitor numbers to the US were up more than 150,000, excluding business travel, and 2017 is shaping up to be another record year with forward bookings already up, Thomas said.

White House press secretary Sean Spicer said on Wednesday that Trump will announce later this week details on the "Keeping America Safe" plan.

Trump is also considering blocking all refugees from entering the US for 120 days and restricting visas for people from terror hot spot nations Syria, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.

The draft order temporarily suspends the US refugee programme while new vetting procedures are put in place and stops refugees from Syria being admitted indefinitely until a security screening review is completed.

Many of the asylum seekers on Nauru and Manus Island are from Syria and the other targetted terror hot spot countries.

"I think the guiding principle for the president is keeping this country safe," Spicer said.

Spicer added the US needs to make sure "people who are from a country that has a propensity to do us harm" face "appropriate steps to make sure they are coming to this country for all of the right reasons".

The US-Australia deal involving refugees held on Nauru and Manus Island was struck last year when Barack Obama was US president.

With Obama exiting the White House and Trump, who vowed to crackdown on refugees while campaigning to be president, in power the secretly negotiated deal could be doomed.

Powerful members of the Republican-controlled Congress were outraged when it was revealed Malcolm Turnbull and Obama had struck the agreements without their input.

If Trump torpedoes the refugee deal it will be the second major blow he has delivered to Australian prime minister this week.

Trump signed an executive order on Monday withdrawing America's involvement in the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement with Australia and 10 other Pacific countries.

The Australian government, however, is holding out hope the strong relationship Australia has with the US will keep the refugee deal alive.

"We look forward to working with President Trump, his administration, and in particular Secretary of Homeland Security General John Kelly, on this issue and many others of shared interest in the years ahead," Australian Immigration Minister Peter Dutton told AAP on Wednesday.

"We will continue to work with our friends in the United States on the arrangement but will not provide a running commentary through the media."

- AAP with Stuff