Australian passport undergoes facelift

[Cheesy]

Still on the old "L" style passport, so until that expires in 2013 (although it's more likely to be filled with stamps before then) SmartGate unfortunately is not an option for me. For someone who buys a new laptop/netbook every 6 months, I hate using old technology ... but I do like having a passport full of stamps!

 

[oz_mark]

I am still surprised to see that they scan them. Wasn't the security chip supposed to be the security measure?

You need to scan it to get the chip to talk to you

I'm on a 'L' series that expire Jan 2011. Of course, the last six months are pretty much useless, so I'll be applying mid year for a new one.

 

[ChrisBNE]

My old passport doesnt have the magic chip, so long queues for me!

 

[serfty]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought Smartgate was for Immi, and Express passes for Customs only? ...

No, at various time last year I have seen MEL immigration hall the following special categories:

• Orange D sticker
• express Pass
• Aircrew
• APEC
• Diplomatic

Often one or more are combined.

As for the express pass and its customs use; I often walk out with it held resting on top of my passport, fanned with the immigration card - I often get approach and given the green sticker. In SYD I have seen special x-ray queues for express Pass holders as well.

 

[simongr]

I always use the Epass for Immi but now have 5 Inwards Epass vouchers at home as they never get taken off me at Customs - and with less travel to Asia I seem to be not even needing to be xrayed

 

[anat0l]

My L passport doesn't expire until Nov 2012, so still quite a bit of "life" in mine left.

In my recent experiences, immigration doesn't take longer than 5 minutes for me; OK SmartGate would trump that at around 0-2 minutes, but it does help pass a bit of them time whilst the baggage people try and get their act together.

My father was of the opinion (or learned knowledge) that there are certain countries in the world that do not accept old passports (i.e. they must be RFID ready). I can't think of one country that enforces this; I assume the US is still OK to enter with an old passport.

There's no point having a faster subprocesses if you can't reduce the time on the critical path.

 

[NM]

My father was of the opinion (or learned knowledge) that there are certain countries in the world that do not accept old passports (i.e. they must be RFID ready). I can't think of one country that enforces this; I assume the US is still OK to enter with an old passport.

Perhaps he is referencing the requirement by some countries for passports to be "Machine Readable"? This is a requirement for entry to the USA. But a Machine Readable passport does not require an RFID chip, just the standardised form printing on the information page that can be swiped through the reader for automatic input into the system. All current L, M and N series Australian passports have this "machine readable" printing on the information page.

 

[Mal]

My father was of the opinion (or learned knowledge) that there are certain countries in the world that do not accept old passports (i.e. they must be RFID ready).

It's partially true for the U.S , but not really an issue for Australian passports. See DHS | Visa Waiver Program: Passport Requirements Timeline

If a passport was issued on or after Oct 26, 2006 and doesn't have a chip then you can't use the VWP for entry. However Australia introduced chipped passports before that date anyway so it's a moot point for Australians. Not all countries did though, so some passports that aren't chipped will be refused at the U.S border for VWP purposes.

 

[Febs]

Never seen the Express sign at the SYD APEC/Crew queue (left-most queue)...maybe it's only there sometimes?

As for the express pass and its customs use; I often walk out with it held resting on top of my passport, fanned with the immigration card - I often get approach and given the green sticker. In SYD I have seen special x-ray queues for express Pass holders as well.

Yep, ditto my experiences - usually either the APEC card or the Express pass clearly visible earns me a D stamp. It helps that you're at the baggage carousel before it gets too busy too. I think I'll be hiding the APEC card post-Immi now, however.

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[wtolmie]

I will be needing to renew mine shortly.. Expires 2012, but only have 1 double page left.. Why they dont let us add pages like other countries do is beyond belief. The worst part for me is I have to get my China residency visa redone, my APEC card.. grrrrr..and a new ESTA.. oh well..

 

[auriga]

The black cover looks nice... but not till 2015 for me!

Re- express pass... one problem I have is that the quicker you get thru immigration, the longer you have to wait at the baggage carousel, and I just hate those sniffer dogs!

 

[serfty]

... The worst part for me is I have to get my China residency visa redone, my APEC card.. grrrrr..and a new ESTA.. oh well..

Oh well, there's $500 and counting in the first two (with a new PP) - at least the ESTA is currently* Free.

* It seems an ESTA may soon cost USD10 ...

 

[wtolmie]

Oh well, there's $500 and counting in the first two (with a new PP) - at least the ESTA is currently* Free.

* It seems an ESTA may soon cost USD10 ...

At least I can claim the cost back from the company.. Just a pain in the a$$ to go thru theo whole thing again.. Also means I have to get my Alien (sic) Expert license and heath cert reissued with up dated passport # too.. Ahh the red tape !!!

 

[JohnK]

I am due for a new passport before my next overseas trip in June and don't know what to expect.

Are there still problems with the chip breaking? I carry my passport in my pocket mostly everywhere I go when I am overseas so it is going to get a good workout. Any preservation tips?

 

[serfty]

... Are there still problems with the chip breaking? I carry my passport in my pocket mostly everywhere I go when I am overseas so it is going to get a good workout. Any preservation tips?

Sorry, John - my best advice is not to carry one's PP in one's pocket.

Certainly, never in any of your trouser/pant's pockets, especially if you intend to sit down.

On arrival into a place where I'm going to need my passport to exit, after the seat belt sign goes off, I collect my carry-on stuff and then extract my PP from a special wallet I have along with any filled out arrival paperwork/documentation that will be required.

I then hold these all the way through.

 

[JohnK]

Sorry, John - my best advice is not to carry one's PP in one's pocket.

Certainly, never in any of your trouser/pant's pockets, especially if you intend to sit down.

Unfortunately I do not trust hotel in-room safes or hotel employees. Well not after I recently saw how easy it is to open one with the master key.

So unfortunately the passport stays with me and the safest place is in my trouser's pocket if I am wearing a golf shirt without a pocket. May need to rethink the situation again once I see the new passport.

 

[serfty]

Forgetting microchips, perspiration can really disrupt the integrity of an Oz PP's printed security features.

 

[JohnK]

Good point.

Need to find a way to make the passport last and be safe at the same time....