China announces visa-free travel for Australians visiting up to 30 days (previously 15 days)

[RSD]

At least the newer R series passports have a much more robust photo page (also containing the chip).

The P series is much more flimsy and has a separate chip page - always worried me scanning it continually.

I do hope most countries eventually move solely to or also accept a Passport card (like US citizens can use in Canada, Mexico and bits of Carribbean, and Irish citizens can use in most of the EU)

After a few trips to China even my R series passport is showing signs of wear!

 

[SYD]

After a few trips to China even my R series passport is showing signs of wear!

Carrying it around 24/7 can’t be good. I dusted off an old plastic PP cover from PPs past to offer some protection for this trip.

 

[RSD]

Carrying it around 24/7 can’t be good. I dusted off an old plastic PP cover from PPs past to offer some protection for this trip.

I think that it is more the constant opening it perfectly flat and inserting it into a machine that is the main cause of the wear. I would hate to think what would happen if one of those machines goes rogue and munches your passport! Mind you simply losing your phone in China would be a total disaster as everything is done through the apps.

 

[elanshin]

My 1 year old R series passport's photo page is a little bit loose now as well after a year of travel. I feel like it's not the most well made passport for longer term use.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Carrying it around 24/7 can’t be good. I dusted off an old plastic PP cover from PPs past to offer some protection for this trip.

You do not need to carry your PP 24/7 - that is just a total furphy - YES to access HRS you need PP to access stations - other than that very limited requirement.

I am currently in SH and PP has been locked in safe in room for the last week and I have been out and about every day

 

[SYD]

You do not need to carry your PP 24/7 - that is just a total furphy - YES to access HRS you need PP to access stations - other than that very limited requirement.

I am currently in SH and PP has been locked in safe in room for the last week and I have been out and about every day

But your not a tourist!

Literally everything I’ve just booked to visit requires a PP to enter…PITA quite frankly.

 

[Matt_01]

Australia travel visa waiver ends 31 Dec 2025 what's the likelihood it'll be extended as I'm looking at travelling in Jan 2026 or should I be organizing a visa...

Last time I checked (last year) you can only apply for a visa 90 days out.

You do not need to carry your PP 24/7 - that is just a total furphy - YES to access HRS you need PP to access stations - other than that very limited requirement.

I am currently in SH and PP has been locked in safe in room for the last week and I have been out and about every day

Agree I never really carried around my PP when I have been to China. In saying that I am heading back in a couple of weeks and have been advised I will have to carry my PP and travel permit at all times.

 

[SYD]

I think that it is more the constant opening it perfectly flat and inserting it into a machine that is the main cause of the wear. I would hate to think what would happen if one of those machines goes rogue and munches your passport! Mind you simply losing your phone in China would be a total disaster as everything is done through the apps.

I had an over enthusiastic Dutch immigration guy stamp my PP so hard it broke the chip…!

It was technically still valid but never worked again in Oz eGates… So had to get a replacement - at my cost!

 

[Flashback]

I had an over enthusiastic Dutch immigration guy stamp my PP so hard it broke the chip…!

It was technically still valid but never worked again in Oz eGates… So had to get a replacement - at my cost!

My chip failed after the passport was 6 months old, after a bit of back and forth I was able to get a replacement FOC. I had already used 45% of the pages in it, so it was a welcome bonus extra pages for me once the new one arrived (same expiry date / new start date) ......... which I pay for anyway, given the premium surcharge us overseas recipients have to pay!

 

[Cruiser Elite]

But your not a tourist!

Granted

 

[skylabsea]

My chip failed after the passport was 6 months old, after a bit of back and forth I was able to get a replacement FOC. I had already used 45% of the pages in it, so it was a welcome bonus extra pages for me once the new one arrived (same expiry date / new start date) ......... which I pay for anyway, given the premium surcharge us overseas recipients have to pay!

45% of pages in 6 months is impressive!
I wish they hadnt gotten rid of the extended passport variant