Passport information

New ‘e’ passports are the latest development in travel identification for Aussies heading overseas.  The humble paper passport now includes a chip in the middle page to help protect against fraud while also allowing for more information about you to be stored with the passport itself.

Via photos you provide when applying for the new passports, your image, along with your personal info (name, date of birth, sex) are stored in a database and compared when you cross over borders in countries that have agreed to share this information (or just coming home).  In theory this should speed things up going through customs.

Despite this intention the current process of getting your face matched against your old photo by a machine at the airport can be slow, you can’t smile and facial hair seems to put the system out.  It’s probably just early teething problems; it should make things allot simpler in the future.  The electronic chip also makes the passport a little more vulnerable to damage from water or bending (so keeping it in the back pocket might not be the way to go).

These changes have also meant tighter guidlines for passpor photos; no longer does every pharmacy take them.  Australia post is the easiet port of call for photos and applying for your passport.

Getting a passport for the first time

Getting a passport for the first time is a fairly simple process.  Australia Post handles the vast majority of passport applications/renewals/replacements and all the forms you need are there.  The process of getting your passport takes around ten working days, though you can pay extra to have it rushed through earlier (see table below for costs).  You will need multiple passport sized photos (which can be taken at most offices), the fee, and different forms of ID.

Renewing an expired passport

You can easily renew a current passport or one that has expired within the last 12 months (if its been expired for more than 12 months you will have to start the process again).  Information on this is available at www.passports.gov.au or through your local Australia Post Office.

Lost passports

Replacing a lost passport will arequire you to start the process again.  See the post office or government site for details if you are in Australia.

If you lose the passport overseas it’s certainly hassle, but not the end of the world.  Should you lose your passport you should report the loss straight away to the nearest Aussie embassy or high commission.  If Australia has no diplomatic representation in the country where you are try contacting the embassy closest (neighbouring countries if possible).

If the passport has been stolen go the local police and get a report; you will probably need to take this to the embassy.

You will usually have to show the embassy another form of photo ID; its a good idea to have a colour copy of the main page of your passport kept separate for this purpose.  Failing that a driver’s licence should work.

Replacements can cost a little more, but in some cases you can get an emergency replacement on the same day.

Some tips for keeping your passport safe and you through customs..

• If you have a current passport check that it has minimum 6 months validity from the return date of your travels. Some destinations have this as a major requirement of entry (Indonesia/Bali is one example).
• Make sure you have enough blank pages for any visas you need; many visas issued will take up a whole page (Vietnam, India, and Indonesia for example).
• For passports in a hurry, you can get away with two working days plus postage time.  Higher fees are charged for this (see the table below).
• It’s important to be up to date with the latest developments as some destinations (such as the USA) are phasing out the use of older style passports for entry.  www.passports.gov.au is the port of call for this.
• Passports can be a real target for threat while on the road.   Keep it on you or locked away as replacing it while on the road can really ruin your plans.
• If possible keep your passport well clear of any other ID’s or credit cards.  Losing the lot could easily see a duplicate you withdrawing large amount of cash via the Bahamas’.
• Some travel insurance policies will have coverage for the costs of replacing your passport while away.

Dual Citizenship

If you’re lucky enough to have two passports, you can switch between them for the purpose of residence (so you can work) or just for cheaper visas (an EU passport might get you around Africa cheaper than your Aussie passport for example).

You should try to stick to using the same passport between neighbouring countries, and avoid telling immigration officials you have two passports to save any extra questioning.  Entering a country on one passport and leaving on another might look suspicious.

All countries will have different rules for dual citizens.  Be sure to understand the ramifications of entering a country with your second passport.  Avoiding a mandatory stint in the local military might be a reason to get informed on this.

Costs for an Australian passport

http://www.passports.gov.au, 18/12/2009.