FTA

No one is encouraging people to leave and enter without an Australian passport. In fact I would advise against it to avoid problems like this. It also is not good for home security, and better for everyone if guidelines are followed. However, it is not against the law, and if you do make a mistake like this, it is your right by law to enter Australia without a passport.

How many kids do you know aspire to do this job? That’s right, zero. It’s a kind of default job for dummies, and people who don’t like their job, tend to be bitter and angry. The big women with short hair are the worst.

True, but they also have the power to strip search you with latex gloves at any time.

The plot thickens. He managed to slip through their grasp on the way out, which it seems they get very angry about. They now have egg on their faces and will be out to prove a point. Good luck. I find acting very ashamed and guilty, and making them feel very important, mixed with a bit of grovelling is the best approach.

Apart from that, he is NOT flouting any rule. It is NOT illegal for an Australian citizen to enter Australia without an Australian passport.

But he won't need to check-in again in Dubai. He can be checked through to Australia and have boarding pass issued in London. He will only need to pass through security in Dubai (between arrivals and departures) who only x-ray carry-on baggage. Please advise on why it is not advisable for an Australian citizen to get a tourist visa. There is no reason to I know, but I am curious. Are there any ramifications for the citizen which you seem to be implying.

The system will not allow him to get any visas because he is an Australian citizen, and theoretically shouldn't need one. Actually, that is a good way to confirm that he is in their system. Just try and apply online, and when it refuses, he knows that all the airline need to do is contact the DIAC at the the airport to verify citizenship.

Hi Peter, There is no reason why your son should be refused entry into Australia. Being an Australian citizen, this is his right! But there are plenty of reasons why he 'may not' be, such as: 1. Airline does not help. Yes they get a huge fine if they let someone fly without a visa, which everyone knows about, but they are also not obligated to help. It is the traveler's responsibility to meet the entry requirements. Having said that, all it takes is a quick call to the DIAC to establish citizenship. And I'd fully expect the staff in the UK to be helpful in this regard. They do it all of the time. 2. DIAC refuses entry. Not likely, but 'may not' be is the key words they use in their own statement previously posted. I don't know of any reason why they would deny entry, but they can, and may. 3. Airline can't get through to DIAC, phone lines are down, DIAC can't find citizenship records etc etc. Unfortunately, your citizenship certificate will not count for anything to the airline and they will need to contact the DIAC to get approval before issuing a boarding pass. 4. Transiting Dubai should not be a problem wrt to the Australian entry requirement. But if you read the DFAT website, it is a dangerous place, so don't be caught carrying any things like Codeine or Dildos in your carry-on baggage. If security do stop your son for some reason, my advice is to be sober, and be friendly and he will be fine.

I know how how she feels. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/aug/08/computer-says-no-irish-vet-fails-oral-english-test-needed-to-stay-in-australia

We had a chance to use our surplus to fund local projects to generate jobs and boost industry. But Rudd gave it to bogans so that they could buy a $1000 tv from Korea. Unfortunately the lost decades option is now inevitable.

100% correct PomQueen. Immigration has been propping up the Australian economy for decades and it is the lazy goverrnments' way of boosting growth. It's a ponzi scheme that works for as long as it can be sustained. But most politicians don't look past 3 years so not their problem when it fails.

Sorry, I just realised that she is not on the list of eligible countries to apply for an on-line ETA. The DIBP website states that "If you do not hold a passport from any of the above countries or regions, you cannot apply for an ETA online." However it goes on to say that "You might be eligible to apply for an ETA through a travel agent, airline or an Australian visa office". I am guessing that this means certain other countries, such as those on the eVisitor eligibility list. In a previous post, wrussell advised that the "in-person" method will not cancel the PR, but the post has since been deleted. And I wouldn't have the first idea on how to apply for an ETA in person, given that visa service offices are generally geared toward countries who are not on the eligible list, and only process Visitor visa (subclass 600) and the like. Under FAQ for ETA it also states that "If you already hold a current visa for travel to Australia, you will be notified during the application process and you will be given the option of whether to proceed with your application. If you proceed, any ETA granted will not begin until your current visa or ETA expires." It does not distinguish between on-line, or in-person. I saw that another poster from Canada was having this problem and the ETA had stalled. I am also not sure what "expires" means. I have been told that PR visas never expire. Just the eligibility to enter/live-in Australia on them expires. Is this correct? She is on the list of eligible countries for an eVisitor visa, but the DIBP website states that "Important: If you apply for an eVisitor whilst holding another visa, your current visa may no longer be valid should you be granted an eVisitor. If you hold a valid visa we recommended [sic] that you contact the department before lodging an eVisitor application.". This kind of implies that the current visa may remain valid IF you contact the department. The department here in Dubai is evasive and farms most work out to VFS, so it could take me a while to pin them down. In the mean time any advice from an expert is highly appreciated.

My wife can only get a 3 month-1 year RRV. Renewed it twice already, but it is a bit pointless doing this indefinitely until such time as she, or more to the point, we, are ready to move back to Australia. But she also needs to visit Australia in the mean time, for which a visitor visa will do if this is possible. She can get an on-line ETA quite easily. But does this automatically cancel the PR?

I also used them in the other direction and would use them again... that's if I ever go back:) The packers were not overly friendly but did the job.

You can't have your cake and eat it.