What happen

[Zulaiha]

Dear all,

I have been thinking about a certain question on the arrival cards to enter Oz that so far make me afraid of going to Africa as I am not sure what happen when I tick "yes" to one of the question find in the Immigration to enter Oz re: "Have you been to Africa in the last 6 months"

Anybody care to share what do the Immigration officer do when that question been answered yes?

 

[browski]

Hi there Zulaiha,

Nothing really happens. You will just be more likely to have your bags searched by customs to see if you are bringing in anything dodgy into Oz - dodgy can mean something as simple as muddy shoes.

 

[Zulaiha]

Thanks Browski, I really hate to add some more stress especially on arrival. I normally avoid bring things in that likely to be searched for, and if I really have too, normally I packed all those in 1 particular suitcase and hope to just have that to be searched.

My husband wanted to go to Kenya for the safari, but really this does not excite me as I still need to go to or via Australia in the near future and hate being searched.

But I am glad to know what happen, as the last thing I want is to have go through too long interviews on arrival like what happened when I had a certain different passport I used to have.

 

[medhead]

The question is there because there are extra risks from afica. Ticking yes just means that they will check that those risks don't apply to you.

For example when I went to newzealand one time I ticked yes, to say I'd been to a farm. They checked if I had mud in my shoes. No search or anything. No problems for me.

 

[SnowYeti]

The question is there because there are extra risks from afica. Ticking yes just means that they will check that those risks don't apply to you.

For example when I went to newzealand one time I ticked yes, to say I'd been to a farm. They checked if I had mud in my shoes. No search or anything. No problems for me.

I said yes for NZ too, said my ski boots had gone through mud in the car park. They just waved me through to the exit, no xrays, nothing It usually pays to declare! I've been waved through 99% of the time .... as I ALWAYS have food on return.

 

[david870mdg]

The question is there because there are extra risks from afica. Ticking yes just means that they will check that those risks don't apply to you.

For example when I went to newzealand one time I ticked yes, to say I'd been to a farm. They checked if I had mud in my shoes. No search or anything. No problems for me.

I got the mud test on my shoes, and the Africa questions. Despite declaring NO on incoming card.
Nothing to worry about, just simple precautions re diseases and stuff.

 

[Mal]

I thought it was something to do with 'Yellow Fever' and potential for you to be a carrier of it, so they may ask to see a vaccination card.

I could be wrong though...

 

[Zulaiha]

Thanks all, I will now consider to go to Africa.

 

[anat0l]

I might be going to South Africa myself early next month.

When I come back, I'll be heading to Europe about a week after that.

Now that will be an interesting exercise in customs.....

 

[Zulaiha]

I might be going to South Africa myself early next month.

When I come back, I'll be heading to Europe about a week after that.

Now that will be an interesting exercise in customs.....

Do share us your expirience, I am sure many of us would like to know.

 

[Gold Member]

I have just returned from a 3 week trip to South Africa (with Safari in Kruger) and Mauritius. Upon return to Sydney I was mistakenly asked for a yellow fever certificate. When I stated that this was not necessary the Immigrations customer quickly chedcked and acknowledged his mistake and waived me through without checking bags.

 

[dajop]

I thought it was something to do with 'Yellow Fever' and potential for you to be a carrier of it, so they may ask to see a vaccination card.

I could be wrong though...

You are correct, it is for Africa and South America. If you have travelled to a country where there is a Yellow Fever risk, then they will ask to see a vaccination card. If travelling anywhere in the central regions of the continent it is worth checking with a doctor who is authorised to do Yellow Fever vaccinations to see if you will require it. South Africa doesn't, nor do countries like Egypt and Morocco, north and south of those countries respectively I'm not sure which countries do and don't. Google Yellow Fever for more info, I think WHO have good information on this.

 

[ludoh]

Usually no dramas as long as you declare where you have been (try flying into AMS from South America...) - ticking the "farm" box upon entering NZ is a great way to get the soles of your shoes cleaned for free by the friendly NZ customs staff

 

[rmfai1]

I might be going to South Africa myself early next month.

When I come back, I'll be heading to Europe about a week after that.

Now that will be an interesting exercise in customs.....

-----------------

I've done the opposite last year, my plans fell through for a weeks stay in South Africa at the end of my RTW trip so i ended up flying from
LHR-JNB-SYD-MEL.

Due to the connection times there was a 10 hours in between so coming into Sydney Customs it was fun explains to Customs why I had made a short stop to JNB with my backpack.

It was the biggest search, pat down and screening I have been through, but lucky I had ticked all the right boxes

 

[Dave Noble]

Dear all,

I have been thinking about a certain question on the arrival cards to enter Oz that so far make me afraid of going to Africa as I am not sure what happen when I tick "yes" to one of the question find in the Immigration to enter Oz re: "Have you been to Africa in the last 6 months"

Anybody care to share what do the Immigration officer do when that question been answered yes?

I believe the question asks about visiting Africa in the last 6 days. There is no iussue ticking yes ; they will just ask a cpl of questions; Australia is not the only country to ask this question. I think that there may be some risks of infection from some areas of Africa and they just want to check that you are not a risk

The only main impact is that if would otherwise be eligable to use the express pass, answering yes to a question precludes its use

Dave