Aust govt removes outbound travel ban exemption for overseas residents

[Anna]

How the world changed in 50 years. When my parents moved to Australia in 1969, it was in full knowledge that visits 'home' would be rare and that family occasions would be missed. Phone calls were annual, at Christmas, with a terrible echo and delay on the line. I think international calls may even have had to be booked in advance?? The next time my parents returned 'home' was in 1975. 6 years between visits and that was just how it was back then. (But I do have boxes and boxes of handwritten aerogram letters). I wonder how many current expats would have left if they knew that the current restrictions were going to be the deal. But 50+ years ago it was effectively the deal, that returning would be expensive, difficult and rare and we all just had to accept that. (NOT criticising. Just reminiscing).

 

[Seat0B]

Outbound exemptions can be applied for and answered before travel to Australia so there's no risk of being stranded now.

you may be right, but Seat Son’s window for travel has closed now until next year.

 

[Pushka]

How the world changed in 50 years. When my parents moved to Australia in 1969, it was in full knowledge that visits 'home' would be rare and that family occasions would be missed. Phone calls were annual, at Christmas, with a terrible echo and delay on the line. I think international calls may even have had to be booked in advance?? The next time my parents returned 'home' was in 1975. 6 years between visits and that was just how it was back then. (But I do have boxes and boxes of handwritten aerogram letters). I wonder how many current expats would have left if they knew that the current restrictions were going to be the deal. But 50+ years ago it was effectively the deal, that returning would be expensive, difficult and rare and we all just had to accept that. (NOT criticising. Just reminiscing).

Agree of course and my grandparents who emigrated from the UK in their twenties only returned once in their lifetime and no one from the UK visited them in Australia. But that was the deal. They lived in country Victoria and didn't have a phone for years and then it went through the local exchange where the operator could listen in . DIL from the UK made the pact when she married in OZ that whatever happened they had to ensure they had the money for her to return to the UK to see her parents once a year. That worked well....for a year of their marriage.

 

[Seat0B]

How the world changed in 50 years. When my parents moved to Australia in 1969, it was in full knowledge that visits 'home' would be rare and that family occasions would be missed. Phone calls were annual, at Christmas, with a terrible echo and delay on the line. I think international calls may even have had to be booked in advance?? The next time my parents returned 'home' was in 1975. 6 years between visits and that was just how it was back then. (But I do have boxes and boxes of handwritten aerogram letters). I wonder how many current expats would have left if they knew that the current restrictions were going to be the deal. But 50+ years ago it was effectively the deal, that returning would be expensive, difficult and rare and we all just had to accept that. (NOT criticising. Just reminiscing).

Yes they were tough people, the migrants of the 1950s, 60s and 70s. But as you say, the point was that they knew what they were choosing.

I can say for absolute certain that Seat Son’s decision to live and work overseas was predicated on the ability for him to get home once a year, for us to get to him once a year, and for a family meet up in a third country for a holiday together once a year. Also that he would be able to come home for important family occasions. For example, he did make it home to see his grandfather and grandmother before they died respectively in 2018 and 2019 of lung cancer and leukaemia as well as for their funerals. He made his sister’s 30th birthday, and her wedding. But now, who knows. He’s missed my 60th, the birth of his first and only niece, his 87 year old grandmother’s graduation from university (yes really - what a champion) and many other events. He’s had no support after the break up of a 4 year relationship (living together). As you say, that is not the deal he (and we) signed up for.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Yes they were tough people, the migrants of the 1950s, 60s and 70s. But as you say, the point was that they knew what they were choosing.

I can say for absolute certain that Seat Son’s decision to live and work overseas was predicated on the ability for him to get home once a year, for us to get to him once a year, and for a family meet up in a third country for a holiday together once a year. Also that he would be able to come home for important family occasions. For example, he did make it home to see his grandfather and grandmother before they died respectively in 2018 and 2019 of lung cancer and leukaemia as well as for their funerals. He made his sister’s 30th birthday, and her wedding. But now, who knows. He’s missed my 60th, the birth of his first and only niece, his 87 year old grandmother’s graduation from university (yes really - what a champion) and many other events. He’s had no support after the break up of a 4 year relationship (living together). As you say, that is not the deal he (and we) signed up for.

Tough decision on whether the benefits of staying overseas outweigh those of returning permanently to Australia.

 

[louie-m]

Outbound exemptions can be applied for and answered before travel to Australia so there's no risk of being stranded now.

Depends how long you are planning on being in Australia. Only supposed to apply two months before your return (i.e. when the permit is required (though it will be valid for three months)) which isn't long to arrange a trip if you don't feel confident of booking flights, time off from work etc until you are sure you can return home at the end of the trip.

 

[Pushka]

Tough decision on whether the benefits of staying overseas outweigh those of returning permanently to Australia.

Which of course is not exactly helpful with dual citizens who have parents and parents in law in two different countries.

 

[TonyHancock]

Tough decision on whether the benefits of staying overseas outweigh those of returning permanently to Australia.

Agreed. I really don't know when I will get back to Australia. It is unlikely to be anytime soon as Federal and State governments blunder along as they currently are.

 

[roogirl]

Which of course is not exactly helpful with dual citizens who have parents and parents in law in two different countries.

This is my situation. My father in law is in his 80s and not well (Parkinson’s) - how can I ask my husband to move back to fortress australia and condemn him to not seeing HIS father again? It’s simply not a choice any family should have to make.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Outbound exemptions can be applied for and answered before travel to Australia so there's no risk of being stranded now.

Don’t you still have to apply a maximum of two months before you leave or has that changed?

 

[Flying mermaid]

How the world changed in 50 years. When my parents moved to Australia in 1969, it was in full knowledge that visits 'home' would be rare and that family occasions would be missed. Phone calls were annual, at Christmas, with a terrible echo and delay on the line. I think international calls may even have had to be booked in advance?? The next time my parents returned 'home' was in 1975. 6 years between visits and that was just how it was back then. (But I do have boxes and boxes of handwritten aerogram letters). I wonder how many current expats would have left if they knew that the current restrictions were going to be the deal. But 50+ years ago it was effectively the deal, that returning would be expensive, difficult and rare and we all just had to accept that. (NOT criticising. Just reminiscing).

Aerogram letters! I arrived in Australia in early 1977 and I remember both receiving and sending many of those! It was 35 years before I saw my brother again

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Don’t you still have to apply a maximum of two months before you leave or has that changed?

If you are outside Australia and want to travel to Australia then return to your country of residence, you can apply for an outwards exemption before you arrive in Australia. Exemptions are valid for 3 months from the date of approval. From Leaving Australia | COVID-19 and the border

 

[Flying mermaid]

If you are outside Australia and want to travel to Australia then return to your country of residence, you can apply for an outwards exemption before you arrive in Australia. Exemptions are valid for 3 months from the date of approval. From Leaving Australia | COVID-19 and the border

Oh that’s good - I missed that before. I will let Master FM know. I still don’t believe he will have any trouble getting an exemption but may as well be sure. I am a lot more worried about his ability to travel between states.

 

[Seat0B]

Oh that’s good - I missed that before. I will let Master FM know. I still don’t believe he will have any trouble getting an exemption but may as well be sure. I am a lot more worried about his ability to travel between states.

Yes it is looking pretty dodgy right now isn’t it. But I hope it settles by the time he arrives.

 

[Seat0B]

Tough decision on whether the benefits of staying overseas outweigh those of returning permanently to Australia.

Yes and it’s not a decision he should be forced to make by inept and populist government decisions.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Yes it is looking pretty dodgy right now isn’t it. But I hope it settles by the time he arrives.

Very dodgy! I am just hoping Vic gets control, so he will be able to travel back to us! Keep telling myself it’s still a long time…….

 

[louie-m]

If you are outside Australia and want to travel to Australia then return to your country of residence, you can apply for an outwards exemption before you arrive in Australia. Exemptions are valid for 3 months from the date of approval. From Leaving Australia | COVID-19 and the border

Whilst they are valid for three months, once you hit the APPLY button, you get a message saying "All travel exemption should be submitted at least 2 weeks, but not more than 2 months, prior to travel". But as I said previously, it's entirely possible your anticipated return date might be within two months now, but your plans might change after you've got the permit sorted

 

[jrfsp]

Comment: Are the government’s new restrictions for expats even legal?

In this cross-posting with The Conversation, International Law lecturers Liz Hicks, Jane McAdam and Regina Jefferies discuss the Federal Government's move to make it more difficult for Aussie expats to visit home and then return to their country of residence.

australianaviation.com.au

Quite interesting

 

[Seat0B]

It seems like the most recent piece of overreach is generating a little bit of press. I for one am glad to see some interest being taken in this appalling decision.

Law firm considering legal challenge to federal rules limiting who can depart Australia

Recent changes to regulations on expats who live overseas have left many fearing they won’t be able to leave Australia if they come back

www.theguardian.com

Australians who live overseas may be unable to leave country if they return for visit

Government expands border ban in a move experts say could be constitutionally invalid and unfairly affect Australians from multicultural backgrounds

www.theguardian.com

‘Barbaric’: Returning citizens who live abroad will need permission to leave Australia

The move serves as a deterrent for Australians who live abroad but may need to return home for distress travel as it could prohibit them from being able to return to their life overseas.

www.smh.com.au

Overseas-based Aussies' travel exemption stripped in latest crackdown

www.9news.com.au

From the 9 News report
"Many Australians living overseas who have no desire to return home permanently have now gone years without seeing their family and friends in Australia after having flights cancelled in the early stages of the pandemic.
While many countries have imposed strict entry restrictions during the pandemic, Australia is the only one to ban its citizens from leaving."

‘Barbaric’: Returning citizens who live abroad will need permission to leave Australia

The move serves as a deterrent for Australians who live abroad but may need to return home for distress travel as it could prohibit them from being able to return to their life overseas.

www.smh.com.au

Government promises to let Australian citizens leave if they live abroad

Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews has promised Australians who live abroad that they will still be able to leave the country if they apply for an exemption.

www.smh.com.au

“It’s not really a loophole, it is the normal rights of a person to travel back and forward to their country of citizenship,” she [citizenship law expert Dr Kim Rubenstein] said. They have made it even more draconian than it was at the beginning. No matter where you are from in the world, if you land here, you could be trapped."

Anger as expat travel ‘loophole’ closed

An automatic exemption allowing Australians who normally live overseas to depart the country has been removed.

www.afr.com

“In terms of the message this sends, it just continues the theme that has been occurring for over a year. If you choose to leave Australia to pursue a career, study or love, you essentially leave your ‘Australianness’ at the border. The only thing they have left to do is cancel our passports.” Australian living in Kuala Lumpur

It's reached the BBC:

Australia borders: Citizens living overseas could be 'trapped' if they return

Australians who live overseas will require exemptions to leave Australia if they return home.

www.bbc.com

Change of overseas travel permission is unnecessarily harsh

We have concerns that the change was made with little to no warning.

www.theage.com.au

This one calls out the double standard applied to celebrities and notes "Karen Andrews [Home Affairs Minister] would no doubt argue that, technically, many travellers – particularly those who don’t intend to return in the near future – will still be able to get permission to depart.
Be that as it may, these travellers now find themselves in the hands of bureaucrats – “decision makers” – who can arbitrarily decide whether the reason given is “compelling” enough and whether the documentary evidence supplied with it is sufficient." and we all know how consistent and sensible that process will turn out to be, don't we.

 

[focusedbear]

Another story...

How much evidence does one need? Will the situation get to the point where an applicant needs to have 100 points of proof (for example, visa 70 points, lease 30 points) to leave. Actually, I shouldn't be giving ideas.

Before this change was made, I heard of some expats applying to return home overseas and told they needn't have. How the tide has turned. I can understand clamping down on those visiting every three months without good reason, otherwise it's heartless.

‘I’m stuck’: expat in Kuwait can’t visit her seriously ill mother in Australia due to strict new rules

Australians living abroad who return home temporarily must now meet rigorous documentary requirements before they can leave again

www.theguardian.com