Visa requirements

[Febs]

Hi all,

I'm planning my next RTW holiday (leaving in September) and just wanted to check on VISA requirements, as I'm not going through a travel agent. I'm 99.9% sure on the requirements, but thought I should check with the experts (I generally consider people here more "expert" than *most* TA's. )

Travelling for 5 weeks with my dad, both of us on an Aussie passport, no criminal record/convictions etc... I have an APEC card, dad doesn't. Countries we're visiting are:

- China (Shanghai, only 2 nights), including HK but only for transit
- Dubai
- London
- Scotland
- Germany
- Spain
- Finland
- Estonia
- USA

I've been to all of the above except China, but not in the past 10 months, so I just wanted to check - in all countries except China, we'll both be fine to enter as tourists right? Longest place we're staying is Germany - about 2 weeks. In China, I presume I'll be fine with my APEC card (even if I'm not travelling on business?), but dad will require a VISA. We'll do the ESTA thing for pre-clearance Visa Waivers for the US, and I'll get dad to organise his China VISA this week...have I missed anything?

Thanks in advance.

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[djfuzz]

Can't say anything about Finland, Estonia or China, but the others should be fine.

Oneworld.com has a really good tool that outlines visa requirements for various countries:

oneworld - Visa and Health Information

 

[Febs]

Thanks mate, will check it out.

Finland last year was no problem, and Estonia was just a joke. I caught the 2hr ferry from Helsinki and when I jumped off - there was a hall full of customs/immigration desks, every single one empty.

Just walked straight through along with everyone else.

 

[Evan]

Can't say anything about Finland, Estonia or China, but the others should be fine.

Oneworld.com has a really good tool that outlines visa requirements for various countries:

oneworld - Visa and Health Information

Sounds right, China - yes, Finland - yes, Estonia i have no idea.

London, Scotland, Germany, Spain all fine, no via required. Spain is just a stamp and off you go, not even a word to ask why i was here just yesterday... The answer of course being holidays and U2 concert UK asked me why i was visiting and stamp off i go, same with Germany.

Also QF have a site..

Plan - Travel Advice - Visa & Health

 

[Travel Guru]

Finland: No visa required for AU/NZ passport holders for tourism purposes for up to 90 days

Estonia: No visa required for AU/NZ/UK passport holders for tourism purposes for up to 90 days

China - Yes

Every other destination no visa required.


TG

 

[Dave Noble]

Dubai : Australians are eligable for a Visit Visa for the United Arab Emirates which can be issued on arrival

For an Australian passport holder, this will cost AED100 (approx $34 )

Dave

 

[tuapekastar]

As always, caveat emptor, but this site may be useful.

 

[Febs]

Dubai : Australians are eligable for a Visit Visa for the United Arab Emirates which can be issued on arrival

For an Australian passport holder, this will cost AED100 (approx $34 )

Dave

Is that a new thing? Pretty sure I didn't pay anything upon arriving in DXB last July. Was there for 4 nights (same this time - actually same hotel, same airline and same activities planned! :shock

Edit: Thanks everyone!

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[Dave Noble]

Is that a new thing? Pretty sure I didn't pay anything upon arriving in DXB last July. Was there for 4 nights (same this time - actually same hotel, same airline and same activities planned! :shock

Edit: Thanks everyone!

Cheers,
- Febs.

I took it straight from the .ae website UAE Federal e-Government Portal

which states that there is a AED100 fee for a visa on arrival for AU passport holders. Good reason for me to use my UK passport there tomorrow methunks

Dave

 

[Febs]

Good reason for me to use my UK passport there tomorrow methunks

Sounds like a good enough reason to me!

I'll have to remember to update this thread in Sept, and see if they enforce the fee or not. It's not like $34 is going to break the bank.

(Speaking of which...I've noticed the hotels seem to be significantly cheaper in Dubai than this time last year...GFC no doubt.)

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[Travel Guru]

I was only in the UAE a few weeks ago and definitely didn't pay for a visa, it's free on arrival for up to 30 days for AU/NZ/UK passport holders.

TG

 

[djfuzz]

We were in Dubai last week and did not have to pay nor go out of our way to get a visa.

I'd read something similar (Visa required, application on arrival), so I tried to be extra cautious when entering Dubai. Asked the FA's on BA for a landing card, but they said there wasn't one.

I even bothered to go to the visa desk to pick one up, but was sent straight to passport control - they simply asked how long we were staying and stamped the passport (Australian).

No fee at any stage.

 

[straitman]

We were in Dubai last week and did not have to pay nor go out of our way to get a visa.

I'd read something similar (Visa required, application on arrival), so I tried to be extra cautious when entering Dubai. Asked the FA's on BA for a landing card, but they said there wasn't one.

I even bothered to go to the visa desk to pick one up, but was sent straight to passport control - they simply asked how long we were staying and stamped the passport (Australian).

No fee at any stage.

What a pleasant change that someone, somewhere has kept the process simple :!:

 

[Evan]

DBX and also somewhere else i have been in the last 12 months both stated paid visa's and no charge was levied so i am not sure.... also a few times i have been to counties that have had exit taxes for example that i have not paid and i assumed the airline has included in the ticket.

Not that i am complaining at all

Now hopefully i can get my OMR tomorrow at T5 for MCT visa and some extra for taxi.... hmmm maybe i can get the guy at the concord room to do it... now there is a useful thing i can get the concierge to do.. i wonder if it will work.

 

[Dave Noble]

The ae website does state that Australia is on the list of countries required to pay for a visa but , early this morning when I arrived at DXB from LGW, I tried out using my Australian passport 1st and was allowed in without any charge being applied

Seems that the documented requirements do not match the implementation

Dave