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Frequently Asked Questions - Travelling on your Passport

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Travelling on your passport

Do I need 6 months validity left on my passport before I can travel?

Some foreign governments, including Singapore, require visitors to carry passports with at least six months validity beyond their planned stay, and you may be refused entry if you do not comply.

Well before you travel, you should check the entry requirements of the countries you plan to visit or transit.

Contact the foreign diplomatic and consular representatives of the country you wish to visit, or seek advice from your travel agent or visit Smartraveller for further information (http://smartraveller.gov.au).

Do I need six months validity left on my passport before I can travel from and then re-enter Australia?

Your passport is valid to enter Australia from the date it is issued until the date it expires, and you can use it throughout this period subject to meeting the visa and immigration requirements of the countries you wish to visit or transit. 

If you are flying to Australia and transiting through another country you may need six months validity to enter that country. Contact the foreign diplomatic and consular representatives of the country you wish to visit, or seek advice from your travel agent or visit the Smartraveller website for further information.

Can I travel on my passport if the name differs to the name on my airline ticket?

Any specific questions regarding what an airline will accept as proof of identity should be directed to the airline.

I am a dual citizen. Which passport should I use when entering and departing Australia?

Australian citizens who are dual nationals are required to depart and enter Australia on their Australian passport.

An Australian citizen cannot be granted a visa for Australia in a foreign passport.

I am an Australian citizen but as I did not obtain an Australian passport before departing Australia, I am using my foreign passport whilst I am overseas. Do I have to apply for an Australian passport in order to return to Australia?

Australian citizens who are dual nationals are required to depart and enter Australia on their Australian passport. An Australian citizen cannot be granted a visa for Australia in a foreign passport.

An Australian passport is conclusive evidence of a person's identity and citizenship, and provides the holder with unfettered right of entry to Australia.

International airlines have an obligation to ensure that they only carry appropriately documented passengers to Australia. In the absence of an Australian passport, airlines are unable to assess a person's claim to Australian citizenship at the time of check-in and may decline to carry the traveller.

It would therefore be in your best interests to apply for an Australian passport to enable you to return to Australia.

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