Will anyone be arriving in Australia soon

[leny]

Now I forgot what it is called, but each time you arrive in Australia, they hand out those little yellow cards that you have to fill out, would someone please help me out and tell me what they are called..


My grandparents will be arriving in Australia in a couple of months, they speak little english and will not know what to fill out on the card. Would someone be able to tell me what it asks on the card so I can send them a translation? Please accompany those with the numbers so I can tell them exactly what it says for each one.

Thanks (If anyone is able to) :-|

 

[Evan]

Landing cards ? immigration cards ?

What language ? they have them in languages other than English, if for example your on a flight from China the offer a Chinese version as well, Japanese as well, no doubt other but not sure what ones may be on offer either on the plane (depends on airline) or at the airport.

You could ring the immigration dept / dfat ?, probably can send you a copy so you can send to your parents in advance...

Not sure if this is the right kind of govt web site to try but anyway...
Department of Immigration and Citizenship

E

 

[Mal]

The official name for the form is "incoming passenger card"

Agree that you should try and get a copy to view/send. I'm not sure if it is Customs or IMMI who you should be contacting.

Here is an older version of the English form. Note that it is not 100% correct as it has been revised since then. http://www.evisastoaustralia.com/section06/customs.pdf

 

[leny]

Thanks a lot for that Evan and Mal -- I think the one Mal posted should be good enough.
You guys are the best

leny

 

[JohnK]

Now I forgot what it is called, but each time you arrive in Australia, they hand out those little yellow cards that you have to fill out, would someone please help me out and tell me what they are called..

I have a spare "incoming passenger card" with me right now and can have some more in 4 weeks time. If you want an actual copy PM me your address and I would be happy to post it out to you.

 

[leny]

I have a spare "incoming passenger card" with me right now and can have some more in 4 weeks time. If you want an actual copy PM me your address and I would be happy to post it out to you.

That is so very kind of you, but it's too much trouble for you to go to because all I need to do is translate it for the grandparents - is what you have the same as what is under Mal's link? I didn't think they would change them that often. Cheers JohnK

 

[Dave Noble]

That is so very kind of you, but it's too much trouble for you to go to because all I need to do is translate it for the grandparents - is what you have the same as what is under Mal's link? I didn't think they would change them that often. Cheers JohnK

I thought that the incoming passenger cards were available in different languages

Dave

 

[markis10]

The cards have certainly changed, especially the bits regarding the duty free allowances for each person, kind of important!

 

[vt01]

More importantly, remember to tell them if they have any doubt about any question regarding what they are bringing into Australia, tick yes. especially any prepackaged food - even a packet of chewing gum! I find customs are really good as long as you declare it.
I brought in a packet of microwave popcorn which I didn't even know I had. It was in my backpack leftover from taking into the office. When they found it, they said it was a definite no no. Surprised me.. Not something I thought would have been a issue. But because it is a seed, it was banned...
Just glad I declared food...

 

[simongr]

I am careful to declare all food - sometimes a beneficial effect on the passage through quarantine

Mind you I am not as skilled at declaring goods purchased overseas... Interesting dilemna coming up - plannning to buy Tumi luggage here and get TRS 10% back which will bring it down to $1,090 - and I am planning to buy some comics and clothes overseas... I am sensing my integrity might be tested...

 

[serfty]

OT: but if an item has been used Customs often apply a depreciation as a discount. Perhaps in your case of 20%.

A reference to that can be found here: http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/com...-duty-free-allowance-into-5426.html#post63515

 

[serfty]

I keep a few of these with me; it saves time when "They forgot to load any of the documents".

Current one have the new Duty/Free allowances and request some additional contact information.

I'll post some images.

 

[simongr]

OT: but if an item has been used Customs often apply a depreciation as a discount. Perhaps in your case of 20%.

A reference to that can be found here: http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/com...-duty-free-allowance-into-5426.html#post63515

I think I might spend a little more than the 20% discount on other things I might be bringing in - there may be anothre Tiffany's trip and I have my eye on one comic alone that sells for at least 50 quid...

 

[serfty]

... I'll post some images.

Here's a thumbnail of the Front:

Here a link to it's 800K full image: Incoming Passenger Card - front

The Back:

Full 850K Image link: Incoming Passenger Card - back

 

[Zulaiha]

If they fly Qantas, are not there at least one Steward/ess that speaks the language on board?

From my own experience, I wrote many letters to accompany my mother while she is travelling for the obvious reasons that she speaks none English.

I wrote one for the check in person to request for the help to get someone who do speak my mother's language as well as alerting the airline that there is pax require help.

I wrote one for the steward/ess to help her to fill her inbound cards, my mum only has to sign the cards.

I wrote one for the immigration/custome officer.

So far we have never encounter any problems (touch wood).

 

[chrisb]

I'm surprised no one has pointed out the danger of providing a translation for a card that you can't be 100% positive is the same as the one you have translated - You are getting your grandparents to sign something that explicitly states that they understand the questions and honestly answered them.

I would suggest getting some cards in their language from customs and mailing them over in advance. Even if they're out of date, it'll give Customs a good starting point.

Also, as suggested by another poster write up a generic english letter explaining what language they speak, where they're coming from/going to, your mobile number and asking for a translator or documents to be provided in that language. That's good for all situations if they get into trouble or feel uncomfortable about anything they encounter. It's probably worth writing the letter in english and their language on the same page so they feel comfortable with its contents and use.

Chrisb.

 

[JohnK]

That is so very kind of you, but it's too much trouble for you to go to because all I need to do is translate it for the grandparents - is what you have the same as what is under Mal's link? I didn't think they would change them that often. Cheers JohnK

The link Mal provided looks to be an outdated form. The link that serfty provided is the current form.

FWIW my mother is not confident in filling out the form so I posted a completed form to her in Greece and all she had to do was sign it. She returned to Australia yesterday and brought back another form for me as a spare. Next time I must remember to keep 3-4 spares with me.

 

[leny]

The letters are a very good idea and I'm definitely going to use it!! Thanks!

The biggest problem is that I doubt that the stewardesses would speak CZECH.
They are flying PRG (Prague) - LHR (BA) - HKG (CX) - BNE (CX).

I've read several different opinions but what should I do:
Send them one that is filled out
Provide a translation of the words that usually appear on the card
Or include on the letter to the staff that they will need help?

I really doubt that they will have cards in Czech.


Another question: They are flying PRG - LHR on BA ~ should I write the letter in Czech or English? No idea whether they would speak the language of the departure country, the airline's main language or both?

 

[leny]

And yes - thanks very much serfty, those will definitely come in handy for me!

 

[Zulaiha]

Leny,

In my opinion English is world wide language, if I were you I will write it in both English and CZECH explaining who you are and why you write this letter as well as what your grandparent is doing and where they are heading. There are great possibilities there are people speaks their language in International airports, but as suggested by Chrisb, do include your contact numbers so if anything fail, they still can get in touch with you.

They might be lucky to find another CZECH passanger that are going the same way they are.

PS:
I used to add the necessary details of my mum's passport as in all details need in an arrival card as well as custome's cards.