International Travel Restrictions

International travel changed dramatically with the pandemic. We see different countries manage the virus very differently and take completely different approaches to allowing people to travel in and out.

In Australia, the Federal Health Minister set up Travel Restrictions that control who can leave Australia, who can enter, and for what reasons.

People who want to Enter Australia or Depart Australia must get an exemption to the Travel Restrictions before travel unless;

– they are in an exempt category, or

– inside a “Travel Bubble” like the recent one with New Zealand. The New Zealand Travel Bubble is currently suspended.

Recent uncontrolled DELTA outbreaks, brought even tougher restrictions.

Some Features of Current Travel Restrictions

Citizens and Permanent Residents (PR)

At time of writing, Australian citizens and PR do not need to apply for a travel exemption to Enter Australia.

However, almost all Australian citizens and PR must apply for exemptions to Depart and from early September, that will even include Australian citizens and PR who live long-term outside Australia.

This could mean, for example, that an Australian Expat living in the UK could travel back to Australia for urgent family business, but then be stopped from leaving Australia to go back to their overseas home and work.

Temporary Residents

Temporary residents (everybody who is not a Citizen or PR) can Depart Australia anytime they can book a seat, but may not get back in.

Temporary Residents must apply for exemptions to Enter Australia or prove they are in an exempt category (for example, spouse or dependent child of an Australian citizen or PR, do certain types of work, or other exempt categories).

Temporary residents who want to Depart for a short trip overseas, then Re-Enter Australia, should get an exemption to Re-Enter before leaving Australia or they may be prevented from coming back.

This is true for first stage Partner visa holders (subclasses 309 and 820) who were previously exempt.

These rules are highly complex and constantly changing.

Career Up can Lodge Travel Exemption Applications on your behalf

Career Up can help you plan your travel to avoid problems and lodge Travel Exemption requests on your behalf.

We can save you time and money, and save you the frustration of unnecessary repeated exemption applications.

CONSULTATIONS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

Call 07 3118 5700 for an appointment or contact us by email at visa@careerup.com.au

George Pearse
MARN 0425396

Contact us here

Please note this blog post is not legal advice or visa advice.