Why no outbound electronic immigration processing in AU?

[dajop]

When I leave Singapore (as a foreigner with residency) I scan my passport in a passport reader, it opens a gate then I have my thumbprint scanned before another gate opens and finally a quick check that my name matches my BP by immigration official. The process takes about 1 minute, unless there is someone ahead of me, and it takes 2 minutes (that happens maybe once every 20 flights).

It got me wondering with inbound electronic processing in Australia (which I use most of the time), why outbound processing hasn't evolved. I guess there is the issue of the outbound passenger card. Surely there's a solution to that though.

It works well here in SG, knowing that I don't have to make an allowance for immigration (or security for that matter, being at the gate).

 

[Mal]

Immigration have been planning to trial it for a while - but obviously funding or something else is holding them back.

For example, it is said in a Privacy report on the system (from 2005!) that:
www.privacy.gov.au/materials/types/download/8621/6473

In October 2005, DFAT commenced issuing ePassports to Australian citizens. The SmartGate system considered during this audit is designed to process incoming airline travellers to Australia who are Australian ePassport holders. It is intended however, that the system will eventually provide for the automated border processing of outbound travellers from Australia and holders of approved foreign ePassports.

Interestingly NZ immigration already give this option to Australians to self process outbound.

 

[optimisticTraveller]

It's a great idea. I don't know why Australia is so slow on the uptake sometimes. Maybe funnel some of the upcoming election campaign funding toward it.

 

[tuapekastar]

Immigration have been planning to trial it for a while - but obviously funding or something else is holding them back.

For example, it is said in a Privacy report on the system (from 2005!) that:
www.privacy.gov.au/materials/types/download/8621/6473



Interestingly NZ immigration already give this option to Australians to self process outbound.

When did NZ start doing this?

 

[Major]

When did NZ start doing this?

They use it inbound but use facial recognition rather than fingerprint. Not sure about outbound

 

[serfty]

When did NZ start doing this?

They use it inbound but use facial recognition rather than fingerprint. Not sure about outbound

It uses the smartgate technology - It's been around for emigration in AKL since early last year at least, maybe 2011 even.

 

[SQ421]

SmartGates for outbound immigration are "coming soon". From the last conversation I had in that regard with someone who works at Customs, there are logistical issues arround repurposing the departure aprons to provide approach space to the SmartGates as well as getting a few other processes in place (think along the lines of "while every Australian Citizen has a right to enter Australia, not every Australian Citizen is entitled to leave Australia") that are easily catered to while having a human process outbound passengers, that might need to be done differently via a SmartGate.

 

[Knid]

It uses the smartgate technology - It's been around for emigration in AKL since early last year at least, maybe 2011 even.

They were introduced in Aug 11.

 

[Simo]

I was travelling with another AFFer and he did smart gate the entire trip to NZ and back to BNE.

It would be great if it was available with more destinations and the like.

From memory smart gate can not be used by everyone anyway as kids can not do smart gate anyway.

 

[Deleted member]

They use it inbound but use facial recognition rather than fingerprint. Not sure about outbound

I always use it going in. But not used it going out, I think it was broken last time I left AKL.

 

[Mal]

I always use it going in. But not used it going out, I think it was broken last time I left AKL.

As do I. But, keep in mind that if you receive pre clearance (ie used the qantas premium check-in at akl, spoke to immigration and got the preclearance sticker) that it isn't an option for departing.

 

[Deleted member]

As do I. But, keep in mind that if you receive pre clearance (ie used the qantas premium check-in at akl, spoke to immigration and got the preclearance sticker) that it isn't an option for departing.

Yes of course. I remember now

 

[tuapekastar]

As do I. But, keep in mind that if you receive pre clearance (ie used the qantas premium check-in at akl, spoke to immigration and got the preclearance sticker) that it isn't an option for departing.

Which will explain why I didn't know it existed! (well, that and my complete failure to be aware of things around me ). As long as there is no delay, am happy to keep using premium checkin and the associated pre-clearance. I know you can perform the first step of AU smartgate inbound immigration at AKL, and normally do so if the machine outside the QP is working.

 

[Pushka]

I remember leaving NY through JFK and it took all of 15 seconds for an official to check my passport and I was done.

 

[simongr]

I dont think that there is any actual immigration outbound in the US - I think that might have been the security line - just to check the ID and BP. The airlines then rip the green paper out of your passport as evidence you left the country. It is an eminently sensible system - quite why Oz has such an archaic system I don't know. If you are an Oz citizen you can come and go as you like. If you aren't and are staying illegally you wont be at the airport. If you have overstayed your welcome and are leaving then get thee hence. Oz nationals shouldn't have to do any outbound immi I think.

 

[dajop]

I remember leaving NY through JFK and it took all of 15 seconds for an official to check my passport and I was done.

As you would for departing on any flight out of a US airport - domestic or international. There is no outbound immigration from the US, I assume it is all processed electronically these days via the airline (it used to be the case of the airline collecting the green visa waiver slip before boarding).

 

[serfty]

... I know you can perform the first step of AU smartgate inbound immigration at AKL, and normally do so if the machine outside the QP is working.

In November, I noticed the Oz Smartgate machine have been removed from AKL (both from outside 'QP' and from the departure Concouse near gate 3). Had to queue up for one on arrival into MEL.

I dont think that there is any actual immigration outbound in the US - I think that might have been the security line - just to check the ID and BP. The airlines then rip the green paper out of your passport as evidence you left the country. It is an eminently sensible system - quite why Oz has such an archaic system I don't know....

As you would for departing on any flight out of a US airport - domestic or international. There is no outbound immigration from the US, I assume it is all processed electronically these days via the airline (it used to be the case of the airline collecting the green visa waiver slip before boarding).

Correct, the I94W green slip has gone the way of the dodo for those using ESTA's.

 

[chrisb]

If you have overstayed your welcome and are leaving then get thee hence. Oz nationals shouldn't have to do any outbound immi I think.

While the logic is sound, I do think there should be outbound processing. What's the point of a visa system if there's no checking? People realise that they're probably not going to chase them for overstaying a tourist visa by 6 months so it would just make the system a joke.

That said, smart gate machines should be used where possible. It's a fairly trivial check that can be automated. It'd save time, staff and paperwork. You could potentially integrate it into the checkin process, assuming immigration trust airline staff to properly ID people.

 

[Mal]

The us and uk don't have passport checks by officials outbound, but still know who is going due to data exchange with authorities. If they have a person of interest they will likely be at the gate waiting for them...

 

[*A Flyer]

Outbound SmartGate is currently held up by design issues in the outwards clearance areas combined with the fact that children can't use SmartGate. As it was explained to me, there is no room to create multiple queues at SYD and MEL so they can't split the kids and adults to facilitate SmartGate.

As for the idea that A/an nationals should not have any outwards processing, Australians do not have a right to travel. Numerous Australians are subject to departure prohibition orders thanks to criminal proceeding against them or debts owed to the Commonwealth or under a court order. Outwards clearance is necessary to prevent the departure of those who should not be allowed to leave.