Which other countries ban their own citizens from leaving?

Isolationism plays well with a significant proportion of the Australian population. I'd say that some would prefer we never re-opened our borders. "why do you want to go overseas when you've got Straya??"
 
It's actually not that easy...or it is certainly very random. I'm a member of a travel issues group on FB and people are regularly declined for things such as serious and life threatening illness of an immediate family member e.g. a parent. There was a time when saying you were going for 3 months was enough in itself, but that has not been the case for some time.
I'd been clinging to that exemption of three months' minimum away, though wondered how they'd police that, practically, in advance. I now find its 3 months " with a compelling reason" . Since dying relatives and similar don't count anyway, I'd love to know what would count as compelling...since I'm not a cricketer, pop star, or pollie.
Figure my having just come through my fourth cancer, being a senior, and SO wanting to volunteer/travel long term, globally BEFORE it's "too late" just won't cut it. Maybe it's the NZ now-illegal back door for those like me...with what WE think are compelling reasons!
 
I'd been clinging to that exemption of three months' minimum away, though wondered how they'd police that, practically, in advance. I now find its 3 months " with a compelling reason" . Since dying relatives and similar don't count anyway, I'd love to know what would count as compelling...since I'm not a cricketer, pop star, or pollie.
Figure my having just come through my fourth cancer, being a senior, and SO wanting to volunteer/travel long term, globally BEFORE it's "too late" just won't cut it. Maybe it's the NZ now-illegal back door for those like me...with what WE think are compelling reasons!

In *theory* they would police the three month rule through the Biosecurity Act. If you came back before three months and they suspected your original declaration was fraudulent, you could be fined up to $66k and/or 5 year’s jail.

But... the PM has said those penalties won’t be used!

Obviously the fines and penalties are a maximum for wilful violations.... if you applied for three months away and something happened like a death in the family and you had to return earlier, no one is going to fine you.
 
My personal opinion is Australia should move to allow fully vaccinated individuals to travel overseas to select countries.
 
Just a minor addition to the article you wrote @Mattg, Belarus is banning travel out of the country for its citizens via road and also Ryanair flights.
 
If you have duel passports, you will get permission to travel...
 
I'd been clinging to that exemption of three months' minimum away, though wondered how they'd police that, practically, in advance. I now find its 3 months " with a compelling reason" . Since dying relatives and similar don't count anyway, I'd love to know what would count as compelling...
Figure my having just come through my fourth cancer, being a senior, and SO wanting to volunteer/travel long term, globally BEFORE it's "too late" just won't cut it. Maybe it's the NZ now-illegal back door for those like me...with what WE think are compelling reasons!
'since I'm not a cricketer, pop star, or pollie'. Or coming from India perhaps?
 
My personal opinion is Australia should move to allow fully vaccinated individuals to travel overseas to select countries.
Now, how to get the Oz government to agree?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Sorry to say it is correct, I have a relative that got permission to go to uk, to be fair she is starting a new job in UK..
So her being a dual citizen was irrelevant then. What do you think the outcome would be if I (dual UK / Aus citizen) applied for an exemption based on wanting to visit family?
 
So her being a dual citizen was irrelevant then. What do you think the outcome would be if I (dual UK / Aus citizen) applied for an exemption based on wanting to visit family?
Tell the truth, I have no idea how they cough since I hope some one here publish the scenario so that each other can cough each case.
My daughter in UK is in the same boat as you describe, she had a baby and want to spend one yr in Aus but covid had complicated the new Aus passport for the baby even though UK passport was issued immediately. If they are granted to come home I will let you know.
 
Read our AFF credit card guides and start earning more points now.

AFF Supporters can remove this and all advertisements

Tell the truth, I have no idea how they cough since I hope some one here publish the scenario so that each other can cough each case.
My daughter in UK is in the same boat as you describe, she had a baby and want to spend one yr in Aus but covid had complicated the new Aus passport for the baby even though UK passport was issued immediately. If they are granted to come home I will let you know.

Being an Australian citizen will allow you to return, subject to finding a seat on a plane.

Being a UK citizen does not give you automatic rights to leave Australia. If you are also an Aussie citizen, or ordinarily resident in Australia, you will need to apply for an exemption. Granting of that exemption is not automatic. Intentions to leave permanently, for example to take up a job, might be successful.
 
I don’t want to divert from the point of the thread, but I don’t think it’s that difficult to get an exemption. Business and weddings come readily to mind.

edit link not placed by me. Seems to be an auto insert
No it is not easy at all, many are denied. I know several people who have applied to leave permanently, sold their house, resigned their job, still denied.
 
Just a minor addition to the article you wrote @Mattg, Belarus is banning travel out of the country for its citizens via road and also Ryanair flights.
Ah yes, but that's nothing to do with Covid...
 
Sorry to say it is correct, I have a relative that got permission to go to uk, to be fair she is starting a new job in UK..
No, it is incorrect. as a dual citizen. You will still need to enter or depart on an Australian passport not on the UK passport. It is more to do with her having a job in UK thus not returning for a long while, i.e. moving residency to UK
 

Become an AFF member!

Join Australian Frequent Flyer (AFF) for free and unlock insider tips, exclusive deals, and global meetups with 65,000+ frequent flyers.

AFF members can also access our Frequent Flyer Training courses, and upgrade to Fast-track your way to expert traveller status and unlock even more exclusive discounts!

AFF forum abbreviations

Wondering about Y, J or any of the other abbreviations used on our forum?

Check out our guide to common AFF acronyms & abbreviations.
Back
Top