Passports

Will I need a passport?
Passports are needed when travelling outside your home country. Your passport should be valid for 6 months beyond the conclusion of your trip. Global Journeys recommends that your passport contains at least two unused and facing visa pages.

For those clients travelling to Australia you need to apply for a Visa or ETA before you travel to Australia (except for New Zealand citizens). See below for more information under the heading "Visas (Travel to Australia)".

Visas (Travel from Australia)

You are responsible for obtaining all necessary visas prior to your tour departure. Depending on your nationality, you may need visas to enter certain countries and obtaining visas can take up to six weeks. We've provided some simple guidance for you below. Note that the information below may change. Date this page was last amended 26 June 2010.

Applying for your Visa online
Global Journeys have partnered with Visalink who specialise in providing Australian travellers with the relevant visas needed to reach destinations around the world. Be it Brazil, Russia, India, or China, Visalink can offer you with the visa needed to get you there quickly and efficiently.

Visalink has strong relationships with general consulates in Sydney, Melbourne and around Australia meaning you’ll receive your required visa in the most efficient way possible. More>

Visiting or in Transit in the USA
An ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) approval is required for Australian passport holders entering the USA (even in transit). Sounds scary but it's not! An ESTA is an automated system that will assist The US Department of Homeland Security in determining a travellers eligibility to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program.

The Visa Waiver Program allows foreign nationals from certain countries to travel to the United States for business or pleasure, for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa. Currently there is no fee to apply for a travel authorization.

To apply, all you need to do is complete the form on the link below. Get your itinerary and passports ready and then click on the following link: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/

European Visas
For the majority of European destinations a visa is not required for stays up to 3 months for holders of Australian passports. A visa is not required for holidays in the following countries:

If you are resident in Australia, but hold a passport from another country then your visa requirements are likely to be different. If the country you are visiting is not on the list above, then it is likely a visa will be required. If you are unsure, email your dedicated tour consultant who will be able to help.

Visas for China
A visa is required to enter China (not Hong Kong where a visa is not required for stays of up to 90 days). Your dedicated tour consultant who will be able to help organise a visa to china for you.

Visas for New Zealand
Aussie passport holders do not need a visa to travel to New Zealand for the purpose of visiting on holiday.

Visas (Travel to Australia)

Travellers to Australia need a valid passport or similar certificate of identification.  Everyone, except travellers with Australian or New Zealand passports, require a visa.

Electronic Travel Authority (ETA)
An electronically stored authority for short-term visits to Australia of up to 3 months. Available to passport holders from 32 countries and regions. Applications must be made from outside Australia. (See below)

Tourist Visa (Subclass 676)
A temporary visa generally granted for a stay of 3 months or 6 months. In certain circumstances a stay of 12 months may be granted. (See below)

Now, you can also submit applications online, and in most cases, your ETA can be approved in less than 30 seconds. The ETA is issued electronically by a computer system operated for the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA) of Australia. When an application for an ETA is submitted through their site, all you need to do is enter the details from your passport and your credit card information. The application is processed immediately. Approved applications are electronically recorded on Australian Government systems.

When you arrive at an airport for check-in on a flight to Australia, the airline check-in staff can electronically confirm that you have authority to board the flight to Australia. If you do not want to do this yourself, then simply ask for your flight agent to lodge it when you are booking your flights. This is the most popular option.

Travellers holding the following passports may now apply for an ETA:

Tourist Visa (subclass 676)
This visa is for people who want to visit Australia for a holiday or recreation, or to visit family and/or friends. This visa may also be used for other short-term non-work purposes including study for less than three months. This visa is for you if you are:

• outside Australia and want to apply for a visa to visit Australia
• in Australia and want to extend your stay as a visitor.

For information on applying for this Visa then please click here.

Visa Exemptions

You do not need a visa or ETA to visit Australia if you are an Australian or New Zealand citizen.

The Small Print
We’ve tried to make this visa & passport guide as accurate as possible but please double check the essentials like visas, health and safety, airport information etc with the relevant authorities before you travel. Global Journeys takes no responsibility for loss, injury or inconvenience caused as a result of the information provided above.

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