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.
The New Zealand government has paused quarantine-free travel from all Australian states until at least next Wednesday, amid concerns over new COVID-19 cases found in multiple parts of the country over recent days. The trans-Tasman travel bubble suspension came into effect almost immediately after it was announced on Saturday evening. The pause is currently due … Continued
Leaving Australia in 2021 is unfortunately not as simple as booking a ticket and going to the airport. If you’re an Australian citizen or permanent resident who normally lives in Australia, you’ll firstly need to apply for an exemption from the Department of Home Affairs to even be allowed to exit Australia. You’ll then need … Continued
Since the Australian government closed the international border and limited the number of returning citizens and permanent residents allowed to fly into the country each week, many Australians have struggled to get home. But that’s not for a lack of trying! Many of the tens of thousands of Australians still stranded overseas have already bought multiple … Continued
With Australia’s international border still closed (except to New Zealand), and restrictive international arrival caps still in place, flying to Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic sadly remains a huge challenge. This fortnight, travel agent Alan Lam from Netwave Travel (a.k.a madrooster on the Australian Frequent Flyer forum) returns to the AFF on Air podcast for … Continued
The federal government could allow some Australians vaccinated against COVID-19 to travel overseas within 6-8 weeks under a pilot program, health minister Greg Hunt reportedly told parliamentary colleagues on Tuesday. According to The Guardian, fully vaccinated Australians could soon be permitted to leave the country without having to apply for a travel restriction exemption. People … Continued
On 25 March 2020, the Australian government banned its citizens and permanent residents from leaving the country without a travel exemption as an emergency coronavirus measure. Fourteen months later, the temporary ban is still in force (with the exception of travel to New Zealand) and there are no signs of it being repealed anytime soon. … Continued
Virgin Australia will add five new domestic routes and add more flights on 20 existing routes as demand increases across the domestic network. But the announcement came just a week after Virgin further delayed its planned restart of international flights. New Virgin Australia domestic routes From July 2021, Virgin Australia will add flights on the … Continued
Earlier this year, Devon Indig’s partner Shalini needed to fly to the Netherlands for three months to care for her ageing mother. With Australia’s border closed and a high risk of getting bumped off a return flight back to Australia, it was a difficult and risky endeavour. It could have also been very expensive. There … Continued
Australia’s international borders will not reopen to most countries until at least mid-2022, the federal government has predicted in this week’s budget. “Inbound and outbound international travel is expected to remain low through to mid 2022, after which a gradual recovery in international tourism is assumed to occur,” according to budget documents. The truth is … Continued
The trans-Tasman travel bubble between Australia and New Zealand is now well and truly open. In fact, thousands of Aussies have already flocked to the land of the long white cloud to take advantage of it! In this episode, your podcast host Matt Graham chats to Alan Lam from Netwave Travel (a.k.a. madrooster on the … Continued
Qantas says it has already sold “a lot” of international flights for travel in late 2021 and early 2022, with the UK and United States among the most popular destinations. Other than trans-Tasman and ad-hoc repatriation flights, Qantas has not operated international passenger flights since March 2020 due to Australia’s ongoing international border closure. But … Continued
With the trans-Tasman bubble launching next week, many Australians are booking trips to New Zealand. But Australians heading overseas are now paying much more than before for the privilege. Airfares from Australia to New Zealand are now considerably more expensive than they were before the pandemic, when return Qantas flights to Christchurch were available for … Continued
