Visas & Immigration is a popular topic at the Australian Frequent Flyer. When travelling overseas, you certainly need to have a good understanding of immigration procedures, including getting the required visas to the countries you are planning on visiting.
It has been reported that compulsory ID checks will soon be implemented for Australian domestic flights. This means that you would be required to show photo identification before boarding a domestic flight. It is already illegal to fly under a false name. And when checking in at an airport counter, most airlines will already ask … Continued
Iran is a fascinating and increasingly popular tourist destination. Located in the Persian Gulf, Iran is home to spectacular scenery, impressive architecture, warm hospitality and thousands of years of history. If you’ve been thinking about a holiday in Iran, you’re not alone. The number of visitors to Iran has surged in recent years. But there … Continued
Overseas travellers will no longer need to fill out those pesky green cards when departing from Australia. From 1 July, Australia’s “outgoing passenger cards” will finally be phased out. Travellers are pleasantly surprised with the news. These forms have been an annoyance – albeit a minor one – to many of our members. Good, now … Continued
Visitors to Qatar and passengers flying with oneworld member Qatar Airways are likely to face disruption after several neighbouring countries cut diplomatic ties with the small Arabian Peninsula nation. Direct flights between Qatar and the affected countries are no longer allowed. Qatar Airways aircraft are also being forced to take longer, circuitous routings as they … Continued
One member recently had the unfortunate experience of being denied entry to a country because they did not have the correct visa. This member inadvertently flew with Qantas to Papua New Guinea without the necessary visa, and was sent on the next flight back to Australia after being stopped at the border. I had a rather … Continued
Our member Skyring recently travelled to an intriguing part of the world that very few get the opportunity to experience first-hand. Having been inspired by the stories of Bruce, a Persian carpet salesman, our member visited the Middle Eastern country of Iran. The thought of participating on a tour through a “difficult” country, led by … Continued
If you’ve always wanted to visit South America, there has never been a better time! Flights between Australia and South America have traditionally been expensive. But, to the delight of travellers, this appears to be changing. In late 2015, Air New Zealand launched flights from Auckland to Buenos Aires. This effectively broke the monopoly of … Continued
For many years, Australians visiting Bali and other Indonesian destinations have needed to pay for a visa. This added USD35 (around $47) to the cost of every visit. But after years of discussions and speculation, this visa fee was finally dropped last week. Australians are now able to enter the country without a visa for up … Continued
There have recently been calls to make identification checks mandatory for all passengers flying within Australia. The checks would be intended to prevent criminals from flying under a fake name. Booking a ticket using a false name is already a serious criminal offence. However, the introduction of online check-in and self-service kiosks means that it … Continued
Regular visitors to Singapore will be pleased to learn that from 1 October, Australians will be eligible to use the “enhanced-Immigration Automated Clearance System”, or eIACS usually available only to local residents passing through Singapore’s Changi Airport. Unfortunately, travellers will need to register first before they can use these “smart gates” and there are a … Continued
Australian travellers to the United States will be pleased to know that “Automated Passport Control” (APC) kiosks can now be used when entering the country. APC machines have now been installed at many major airports in the United States, including Los Angeles, Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami, San Francisco and both of New York’s international airports. This … Continued
Registering your travel plans with the “Smart Traveller” service is spruiked as a way to enhance your safety while travelling overseas. Registering allows the Australian government to keep track of you, so they can contact you if there is an attack or natural disaster in a part of the world you are travelling to. The … Continued