Aussies warned to double check their passport expiry date before their next trip
It’s a simple mistake to make which is why Aussies are being warned to check their passports if they’re heading overseas anytime soon.
It’s a simple mistake to make, which is why Aussies are being warned to check their passports if they’re heading overseas anytime soon.
If you’re not aware of the “six-month rule”, now would be the time to get familiar with it.
There are some countries that won’t let you enter if you have less than six months validity on your passport from the date you intend to leave that country.
It also may apply when you’re transiting or stopping over in the country.
“Check your passport expiry date before you travel. Make sure there’s more than six months between the expiry date and the date you leave your destination”, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade warns on its site.
It advises that if you’re not sure it will be valid long enough, consider renewing.
“To check the entry requirements of the countries you’re visiting, contact the foreign diplomatic and consular representatives of the country you’re visiting, or ask your travel agent,” the site states. “We recommend you allow a minimum of six weeks to get your new passport and don’t book your trip until you have it.”
TikTok is also awash with travellers warning fellow tourists about the six-month rule.
“Double check your passports,” Rizzo, a travel blogger, warns.
“Why? because if your passport expires within six months during your travel time, most, literally most countries will not let you in. They will literally deny you boarding.
“Nobody wants to ruin their vacation so double check your passport ahead of time.”
Some of the popular destinations for Australian travellers that enforce this rule include Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Fiji, Samoa and Vanuatu.
For Indonesia, with Aussies continuing to flock to Bali, travellers must have at least six months of validity on their passport from the date they plan to enter.
“We also recommend having at least six months of passport validity from the date you plan to leave Indonesia, to avoid any issues for your departure or onward travel and a return or onward flight booking to another country,” it explains on Smartraveller.
Bali Immigration recently released its latest figures for deportations and refusals of entry to Indonesia — and the passport “six-month rule” was one of the reasons.
Head of Immigration Ngurah Rai, Suhendra said out of the 561 foreigners who were refused entry from January 2024 to June 2024, 52 people had a passport validity period of less than six months.
The Bali Sun reported that all foreigners arriving in Indonesia are also required to have at least two blank pages in their passports.
Meanwhile, 243 foreigners who did not have a visa and were not eligible for a visa on arrival, 28 people were on the banned list, 20 people were detected as being wanted by Interpol and 212 people were on the criminal list for other immigration reasons.
Indonesian immigration officials are known to be rather strict with tourists also warned to ensure their passport is in pristine condition — or risked being refused entry.
Several Aussies have fallen victim to this including Sydney woman Elyse Elmer.
After arriving to the airport ahead of her flight to Denpasar she was refused by the airline to go on the flight because of a “small tear” in the spine of the document.
“That is literally … all it took for them to totally refuse entry,” she said in March.
Had the airline allowed her on the flight, she could have been denied entry into Bali once landing at Bali Ngurah Rai International Airport.
It happened to Sydney man, Matt Vandenberg, who was detained before he could enter Bali.
The 29-year-old passed Australia’s security checks with zero issues and boarded a routine Jetstar flight. But a tiny tear in his passport was the culprit and it was enough to stop him setting foot on Indonesian soil.
“So I arrived at DPS, paid my visa, presented my passport, and get brought over to the immigration office who alerted me I have a 1cm tear on my passport page. To be fair, he is correct. I had no idea until he bent it all the way back, and it stood out. You couldn’t see it any other way,” he said at the time.
The young Aussie was then brought into an office at Bali Ngurah Rai International Airport and told that because of the tiny tear, he wouldn’t be accepted into the country, and his passport was confiscated until he was put on a flight back to Australia.
Aussie passport now costs $400
Aussies is need of renewing their passport will have to pay almost $400.
As of July 1, it went up 15 per cent, meaning those who plan on purchasing the 10-year travel document will have to pay $398, up from $346.
If you’re in need of an ‘emergency’ Australian passport, it will cost you $250. But, it’s only valid for up to 12 months and doesn’t have a chip.
“Because of this, there are restrictions on using them in some countries. Check the visa requirements of any country you plan to enter or transit,” the DFAT website reads.
Aussies needing to fast-track their passport can do so for $100 with the document processed within five business days. This is on top of the $398 fee for the 10-year passport itself.
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