Travelling from NZ to the UK - an option for desperate aussies?

[jcornes]

I am considering a trip to NZ so that I can fly to the UK. I am a british citizen with a british passport, so they'll let me in. And yes I have had my vaccination. My intention would be to return to NZ, pay to do my quarantine in NZ then fly back to Australia. Thoughts?

 

[Lynda2475]

NZ are currently only allowing arrivals into NZ for NZ Citizens and NZ PRs with exception of flights originating from Australia and Cook Islands.

So unless you also have a NZ passport this wont be an option for return.

 

[Lynda2475]

However, If you can afford to stay away for 3 months, anecdotal evidence says dual-citizens or non-citizens don't find it hard to get an exemption to leave Australia.

 

[henrus]

I am considering a trip to NZ so that I can fly to the UK. I am a british citizen with a british passport, so they'll let me in. And yes I have had my vaccination. My intention would be to return to NZ, pay to do my quarantine in NZ then fly back to Australia. Thoughts?

This will not work.

I assume you're a British citizen with Australian residency/citizenship, if you've spent the majority (50%) of the last 12 months inside of Australia then you must apply for an exemption to leave.

NZ will only allow NZ citizens, NZ residents to enter their hotel quarantine. So it won't be possible to achieve what you're trying to do.

 

[Cappuccino99]

I have a British and a NZ passport and am not a citizen or PR in Australia so this is an option I'm considering.

 

[QF_Flyer]

I have a British and a NZ passport and am not a citizen or PR in Australia so this is an option I'm considering.

As you're not a citizen or PR of Australia, you can leave any time you like, you don't need to go via NZ or get an exemption.

 

[Anna]

As you're not a citizen or PR of Australia, you can leave any time you like

Is it as easy to get back in? I suppose return via NZ if an NZ citizen?

 

[Pushka]

Is it as easy to get back in? I suppose return via NZ if an NZ citizen?

No - if you aren't a PR or Australian citizen.

 

[bcworld]

However, If you can afford to stay away for 3 months, anecdotal evidence says dual-citizens or non-citizens don't find it hard to get an exemption to leave Australia.

I don't believe that is the case...it once was, but not any longer. Now the 3 months must also be supported by a substantive reason.

 

[henrus]

Now the 3 months must also be supported by a substantive reason.

Based on a few people I know who've applied, it seems anything other than writing "I'm going on holidays/visiting family" on the form is likely to be approved. Things like going OS for work/education etc are all accepted.

The rules are rather simple when broken down.

When leaving Australia:
- If an Australian Citizen/PR then you must apply for permission to leave (unless you normally live overseas - defined as more time outside Australia than in, over the last 12/24 months).
- If a New Zealand Citizen/PR (but not also an Australian) then no permission to leave is required.
- If a citizen of any other country/holding any AU visa other than PR then no permission to leave is required.

When returning to Australia:
- If an Australian Citizen/PR (or immediate family) then no permission is required to return.
- If an NZ citizen (or immediate family) then no permission to return is required provided the person usually lives in Australia.
- If an NZ citizen usually doesn't live in Australia then permission is required to enter Australia ("exceptional circumstances" have to apply)
- A citizen of any other country/holding any other AU visas (other than diplomat, seasonal worker or innovation visa) then permission is required to enter Australia (again "exceptional circumstances" have to apply)

Obviously, the Trans Tasman bubble allows people to complete hotel quarantine in NZ then travel to Australia. However, NZ only allows their own citizens, PR's and Australian's who usually live in NZ to return to NZ (the latter is defined as spending 6 months of the last 12 living in NZ).


The outbound restrictions can be found here:

https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/covid-19/Documents/outward-travel-restrictions-operation-directive.pdf

and inbound restrictions found here:

https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/covid-19/Documents/inward-travel-restrictions-operation-directive.pdf

 

[levelnine]

Based on a few people I know who've applied, it seems anything other than writing "I'm going on holidays/visiting family" on the form is likely to be approved. Things like going OS for work/education etc are all accepted.

That mischaracterises the situation.

Authorities have substantially tightened the 3-month departure exception.

It's not just a case of writing something on a form. The statutory declaration now has to have extensive evidence -- we're talking removalist receipts, statements by employers confirming your resignation, deed of sale of your house in Australia, etc. The 3-month departure exception is now, basically, only an option for people permanently leaving Australia.

 

[bcworld]

Based on a few people I know who've applied, it seems anything other than writing "I'm going on holidays/visiting family" on the form is likely to be approved. Things like going OS for work/education etc are all accepted.

I am a member of a few FB travel issue groups...and an admin in one. I can state for sure that many people are regularly declined when requesting to travel for reasons such as serious or life threatening illness of an immediate family member e.g. a parent, even when supported by declarations from that parent's doctor(s).

 

[henrus]

I can state for sure that many people are regularly declined when requesting to travel for reasons such as serious or life threatening illness of an immediate family member e.g. a parent, even when supported by declarations from that parent's doctor(s).

Seems very odd, the few people who I know that have recently left were going for work/further education for periods of 6-12 months. None of them described the process as difficult but I guess it'd a good thing they've tightened it up given there were reports of people going overseas for 3 months just to attend weddings or "athletics meets".

At the same time quite poor form that travel is denied for travel related to immediate family member illness.

 

[Lynda2475]

It's not just a case of writing something on a form. The statutory declaration now has to have extensive evidence -- we're talking removalist receipts, statements by employers confirming your resignation, deed of sale of your house in Australia, etc. The 3-month departure exception is now, basically, only an option for people permanently leaving Australia.

You do not have to sell your house or say you are going permanently. I have a friend who is a dual AU/USA citizen who left last week, will be working on a project for 4 months at various sites across the USA (she works for Australian arm of an American company). Only provided stat Dec and a letter from employer to say was needed there. As she will be travelling to different sites staying in hotels, did not need to have signed a lease in US either, but did provide itinerary as part of Stat Dec and specify that employer is arranging for her to get Moderna vaccine whilst in USA.

She still owns her Australian home and has every intention of returning to live in it, she hasn't rented it out either as her Aussie husband is still living in it. People do 1-5 year working stints overseas all the time but do not sell their home to do so, so it is unreasonable that the government would expect you to during Covid times.

That said getting a seat on a commercial flight from USA to Australia isn't that hard, there are multiple airlines flying and being direct no concerns over transiting a 3rd country. I'm sure high vaccination rates in the USA help the application too, applying to go somewhere may be a different story.

 

[bcworld]

Exemptions for business reasons are much more easily obtained than exemptions for compassionate reasons.

 

[levelnine]

You do not have to sell your house or say you are going permanently.

I counter your one anecdote with the 50+ people I know who have recently gone through and are currently going through the process. Yes some people get an exemption granted with ease, but the overwhelming majority do not. The important point that you do not understand is that the process is highly arbitrary. It entirely depends on the case officer you get, there is no right of appeal or right to reasons for a decision, FOI documents suggest that an unsuccessful application marks future applications as warranting additional scrutiny, etc.

As bcworld notes, there are not FB groups with tens of thousands of members desperately seeking help with their travel exemptions simply to go on holiday or attend a wedding.

 

[Lynda2475]

Yes some people get an exemption granted with ease, but the overwhelming majority do not.

I'm not saying *some* people don't find it difficult but you absolutely do not have to sell your house (even if going overseas permanently). You do not have to be a resident to own property. There is no rule that says if you are leaving permanently you cant continue to own a home.

I know others who have left in last couple of months on compassionate grounds, one friends Mum left Brisbane to care for her boyfriend (yep not even a fiancé or spouse) who had a heart attack in Scotland, was given the OK because she intended to stay 6 months and is a dual AU/UK passport holder. Her daughter and grandson are living in her Brisbane home which she was not required to sell.

It may well be arbitrary based on who reviews you application but it is in no way a necessity to sell your home. And some countries dont allow you sign a lease until you are in country. There are other ways to demonstrate legitimacy of plans without selling your most valuable asset.

 

[levelnine]

I'm not saying *some* people don't find it difficult but you absolutely do not have to sell your house (even if going overseas permanently). You do not have to be a resident to own property. There is no rule that says if you are leaving permanently you cant continue to own a home.

I never said it was necessary to sell your house, but I have seen correspondence between MPs (representing constituents who keep getting refusals) and DHA indicating that as the type of evidence they are looking for. I have seen many people (25+) who have been denied exemptions with far more compelling reasons and far more evidence than your single anecdote. I think you need to stop and reflect on the fact that three out of four outward exemptions were being refused last year before the exemption criteria were significantly tightened.

 

[Seat0B]

The important point that you do not understand is that the process is highly arbitrary. It entirely depends on the case officer you get, there is no right of appeal or right to reasons for a decision, FOI documents suggest that an unsuccessful application marks future applications as warranting additional scrutiny, etc.

And it is that very arbitrariness that has led to the UN raising concerns about the rights of Australian citizens to enter and leave their country. Not that it appears to have done any good

 

[MEL_Traveller]

And it is that very arbitrariness that has led to the UN raising concerns about the rights of Australian citizens to enter and leave their country. Not that it appears to have done any good

I thought the question was only in respect of citizens returning to Australia? Not the leaving bit? The caps for returning do not appear to be arbitrary in terms of policy or implementation. The leaving bit is another issue.