If I renew my passport, will the new expiry date be based on the old expiry date, or some other date?
I've got a passport that has about 7 months of validity on it. I have no current travel plans. I'm wondering if I should renew it now or wait to renew it to get the most 'value' from the remaining 7 months. Any help would be appreciated, thanks!
Good idea to apply a few months before travelling, but the actual processing time is 3 weeks.
You hope.
I got mine within 2 weeks in registered post.
@FloatingPoint: I once got a hole in 1 on a golf course, therefore that hole should never require 5 shots to get the ball in.
@FloatingPoint: Do you really not get it? That's kinda sad. You experienced a certain time frame. Great, but that doesn't mean it won't take longer - which makes cutting it that close a really dumb idea.
@Parentheses: (facepalm) OMG. Did I say 'trust me leave it until 2 weeks before travel and you would be fine'?
Read the OP question again. It's up to OP to judge when will be the best time to renew to get the best 'value'.
Of course people like you can go to renew it 9 years before its expiry because it might take longer
@FloatingPoint: Read the COMMENT CHAIN.
If you have no chance of "emergency" travel, then renew it whenever you next need to travel - allow 1-2 months.
Nobody is saying 9 years, the timeline is 1-2 months. Because it could easily take longer than 2 weeks. Learn to read.
but the actual processing time is 3 weeks.
and you said
You hope.
https://www.passports.gov.au/passports-explained/how-long-ge…
You said nothing about '1-2 months'
9 years will work for you. Bye
I got mine within a week of applying, picked up from Melbourne CBD passport office. Depends where you are though.
Express processing is an extra $180, on top of the 2nd most expensive passport in the world
Your information is a bit out of date, it's $215 now.
https://www.passports.gov.au/passports-explained/passport-fe…
Woah it increased since I paid $184-ish just in November 2018. 17% price rise for what!
If there is "no chance" you'll be going OS over the next 7 months, then just renew it when it's about to expire.
You'll only encounter problems if you suddenly need to go OS for work, family issues, etc.
Thanks.
It will start on the day it’s issued. They don’t give you extra years or months
Got any elderly relatives overseas?
AU passports are expensive to renew compared to other countries eh?
Britain $150 Aud
Spain $50 AUD
USA $200 Aud
Australia $ 300
What isn't more expensive here?
Healthcare
Education
Medication
I'm no economist (just a brain surgeon), but I believe Domino's is single-handedly reducing our cost-of-living index among OECD countries.
Your 3rd point, Medication, falls under your 1st point, Healthcare. And the UK has a comparable system to Aus, same with Education. Nice try though. lol
depends what you earn. WHen my wife and I both had good jobs, healthcare was ridiculously expensive for us.
now that I'm unemployed, healthcare is very affordable. Thanks all you with jobs :)
But then again, hardly being able to reach a dr and having to make appointments week in advance (and told to call back in a few months for a skin cancer check because not enough drs to provide that service) I'd say we don't have much of a healthcare system unless you like in a substantial city.
now that I'm unemployed, healthcare is very affordable. Thanks all you with jobs :)
That's pretty Slick, Mick.
petrol
Japan ~$70AUD (for citizens, 5 years), and it's the most secure in the world. Edit: See below comment, $160AUD a year.
US it costs less for a renewal, compared to getting it the first time.
Australian's pay more for passports because Soapland isn't cheap for trade commissioners.
Most country requires your passport to have at least six months validity before you travel
Got relatives in Thailand?
Passport needs to be 30 days of validity to enter Thailand and must leave within 15 days of stay.
I travelled with my french girlfriend to Thailand a few years ago… she has plenty of time left on her passport, but her Australian Visa was due to expire a few days after we were due to return. It was going to be our last trip together before we went home. So we front up to the airport to fly home, and she wasn't allowed on the plane! After some panic, she tells me to go on without her, and I can mail anything important back to France. Wow, empty seat maybe, but not the farewell I had planned…
After maybe 20 minutes, she comes skipping down the aisle. The Australian Embassy had arranged a 14 day Visa extension on the spot.
Was she an au-pair then?
Then this poor girl was stitched up by the airline and it's ill-informed staff:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-03-13/passport-validity-whe…
New Zealand doesn't. You can travel on the date of expiry.
Japan doesn't. As long as your passport remains valid during your stay and is still valid when departing.
This, and they check too. Recently travelled to Geneva (transit through London) then on to Hong Kong, the Qantas checkin confirmed with both that the 8mths remaining on my passport was enough.
I was gone for barely 8 days with tickets all the way home booked!
Renewing passports—the biggest rort since Transurban's toll roads.
Have you travelled at all?
I've got a few visa's in mine and we get charged quite a bit to enter some countries.
Visa charges are based on a reciprocal charging basis - the more we charge their citizens, the more they charge us
Been to quite a few countries, I think the only place I've paid for a visa is USA and Indonesia.
Chile $120USD Reciprocity fee. Australia the only country they charge it to.
@Geoff-bargain: only cause we charge them.
can always slip the bloke at arica border a 50, worked for me
Australia is 10th
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henley_Passport_Index
$30 per year is a great price considering its utility.
But, comparing to (countries in the top 9 positions)…it’s expensive.
Japan #1 passport
$160 Aud
$16 a year much better value
Actually (equal) 25th. There are 24 countries with an higher score than Australia.
I'm honestly interested why you think this way. I have dual citizenship (AU + EU country), and within the last year renewed both for another 10 years. $300 for 10 years is fine with me, seeing as I'll need to spend thousands to travel in and out.
THANKS Daniel Andrews 🤮
Before it expires.
8 months* before it expires, so that you can give 2 months for processing time and receive a new one 6 months before the expiry date.
username checks out..
Current passport can't be used during processing time. Visa page will be cut off by Post office. The passport will be useless.
You can ask for them not to to cancel the passport while it's being replaced if you need travel.
2 months for processing time
It takes 3 weeks to process the passport. 48 hours for priority processing in an emergency.
and receive a new one 6 months before the expiry date.
If OP doesn't need to travel, no problem with having an expired passport (for up to 3 years) and renewing when they need to travel. Beyond the 3 year limit, they would have to do a full application, not a renewal, which required digging up their birth certificate (or citizenship certificate if they weren't born in Australia or their parents weren't citizens when they were born).
Also, while a lot of countries do required six months validity, a lot don't, including Australia and New Zealand.
2 months?!
You don't actually need to renew it at all unless you are travelling overseas. Many people don't hold a valid passport.
I didn't renew my last one until 20 months after it expired. Please note though it is easier to renew an old one within 2 years of expiry. After that the process to get a new passport becomes more tedious.
Please note though it is easier to renew an old one within 2 years of expiry
Three years.
Good to know
Must have been a recent change it was 2 years when we redid a couple of ours last year.
Thanks this is a good point.
Adult passports are a relatively simple and painless procedure to renew, kids passports are very different.
australian Childrens passports can't be renewed. (whether valid or expired)
It's a whole new entire/complete application.
did it last year for my kids
Yep, and you need to provide birth certificates/citizenship certificates for every application, and both parents need to sign the form.
You sound like a worrier
My passport has a slight discoloration and/or dog-eared. Show I renew it?
should*
Most definitely - the downside risk of it not being accepted when you land somewhere is too great
Mine had water damage on the photo tropical rain :P), got queried every time I presented it, but I quite literally kept using it until last month (8 years of constant travel).
Mine still has water damage, heaps of staples and stamps and a tad dog-eared. My photo page is OK, if not old as now but there is discoloration on some pages ect. I get questioned on it and just merely shrug it off, I'm not lining another persons pocket unnecessarily. It's fine and reads/ scans fine. It's an old document that travels, stuff happens.
I've got a passport that has about 7 months of validity on it. I have no current travel plans. I'm wondering if I should renew it now or wait to renew it to get the most 'value' from the remaining 7 months.
Some countries need 3-6 months on your passport, so if you have no travel plans and don't have any need to emergency overseas travel (ie you don't have family over there), then you can let your password expire and renew it when you want to go overseas next or within 3 years of it expiring.
So there isn't any rush to renew if you don't plan to go overseas in the next 3 years.
"you can let your password expire"!!
Haha :)
hahaha password, passport…. same same :)
But yes, slight typo there
Why is everyone saying renew it before it expires? Theoretically as long as you don’t instantly need a passport , let it expire and just renew/get a new one allowing ample processing time before you depart on your next trip. A renewal application can be done for a passport which has expired within the last 3 years.
https://www.passports.gov.au/renewing-your-passport
“is current or expired less than three years ago.”
Otherwise you are paying for validity time where your passport sits idle.
Edit: just saw last poster said pretty much same thing !
I think it depends on personal circumstances. We have parents overseas who are not well and the airlines require 6 months passport validity so we would new our passports before they expire.
For me if I win a competition for a trip I want to have my passport ready lol.
But yeah overseas sick relatives is a big one too.
There's no 'right' answer as long as the OP has all the facts………
1) Consider possibility of unplanned overseas travel
2) Realise some countries require six months validity
3) Allow one month for renewal
4) Can be renewed (painlessly, see (3) above) within three years of expiry
5) Consider 'lost value' for early renewal Vs convenience of having a passport ready to go
/end thread
/thread resurfacing
They should add an extra 6 months free since the last 6 months can be useless if you haven't already left Australia ;)
/thread rehibernating
That would be a decent argument if the Australian government had a 6 month rule. But it doesn't. And neither does New Zealand, Canada, US, Mexico, Europe etc etc.
personally i'll not let me passport goes into 6 months to expiry…i will always renew before then just in case any emergency travel that pops up
a cheaper way for au or pr resident is to go to NZ live their for 5 years apply for nz citizenship and get a nz passport for only Adult NZD$191.00 (includes $24.91 GST) a lot cheaper. lol.
200IQ play right there
another cheap way for au resident is to get a job at DFAT and process your own application so that you pay $0.00 AUD
get em from within i like it
Don't forget the moment you renew it, they cut up your passport right in front of you. Bear that in mind
Brutal!
I think Philippines need at least 6 months before expiry date on your passport to stay there.
Just make sure you're not going anywhere that requires at least 6 months validity. I wasn't aware of this when I planned my trip to Malaysia. Found out the hard way when I got to the airport and was told I couldn't board! I had 5.5 months validity remaining—2 weeks not enough. Makes you wonder what the point of an expiry date is if it's not considered.
I was absolutely gutted and just stood there thinking it wasn't happening. I was mentally ready for the trip so to have that slapped in my face was painful. My friends continued on without me and I just had to go home.
The airlines won't tell you. Only seasoned travellers or those who are from or have family in those countries would know. They'll happily take your booking and money (as did Malaysia Airlines) only to tell you when you get to the airport. Had to fight hard to get a refund. Couldn't get a refund for the domestic flights and hotels though.
" Only seasoned travellers or those who are from or have family in those countries would know."……..
Unless of course you checked smarttraveller.gov.au……….
https://smartraveller.gov.au/Countries/asia/south-east/Pages…
"Check the expiry date of your Australian passport before you travel. Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months after the date you intend to return to Australia. If you arrive with less than six months validity remaining on your passport, you could be denied entry and deported – even if you intended staying for just a few days."
Or, probably even smarter, the Malaysian Australian Embassy web site……….
"http://mw.kln.gov.my/web/aus_canberra/requirement_foreigner"
2) VISA REQUIREMENT
Australian Citizens do not need a Visa to visit Malaysia provided:
Passport is still valid for at least 6 months on arrival;
Visit is up to 3 months only; and
Return or onward international ticket have been confirmed.
Maybe less OzBargain and more Google ??
B10.
Some of the forum posts on here are getting to that point where they ask for answers here rather than just look for the right answer from the right place.
I never asked for answers here. I was just stating my experience.
I knew someone with a big head would reply having a go at me. No need to be pretentious. I'm sure you've done your share of travelling, so it seems 'obvious' to you. I've always checked visa requirements, but it was the first time I was caught off guard with passport requirements because they're renewed once every 10 years. I'm sure I'm not alone.
More than half the people I've told this experience of mine to did not know that countries had such laws. Why is that so? Does that not tell you something? The Malaysia Airlines website didn't state anything either…and I managed to book a ticket. It shouldn't even let you book a ticket if your passport won't be valid. People naturally assume the passport expires on the expiry date. It only makes sense. That's what an expiry date is. 2 weeks or even a month is one thing, but 6 months is pretty ridiculous.
Imagine driving into another state and being arrested by the police because that state requires your driver's license to have more than 6 months validity. It's still valid, but then it's not.
As mentioned if you have no travel plans or chance travel you've got years till you should renew it in terms of the validation rules, but may be also keep in mind if they have any price hikes for passport renewal planned. Beating price rises is such a regular thing these days.
How much did passport renewals cost 10 years ago and 10 years before that?
Many countries require at least 6 months validity remaining on your passport. So if you plan to travel any time soon, renew it now if you may travel to one of those countries.
And don't throw away your old passport once you get the new one. It will be invalidated by the Govt (they will punch holes through it and may cut the front page, but otherwise it's in one piece), it can sometimes be needed for proof of past travel when applying for visas or other permits when travelling.
The new expiry date is related to the date you actually renew your passport, plus 5 or 10 years, depending on which passport you apply for.
Going through the rigmarole at the moment for priority processing. My passport expires 01/04 and we are in Singapore at the time. Thought I had plenty of time left.
While going through all of this, it’s noted that most places need at least 6 months of expiry left from the last day of your travel. So technically you’re on the borderline (no puns intended) of not being able to travel to a lot of popular destinations.
There was an ABC article about this last week: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-03-13/passport-validity-whe…
Worth a look as it mentions a bunch of countries that don't require 6 months validity.
yes but some airlines can still require it apparently.
Yeah, it does say that. Worth asking the question and doing a bit of research before renewing though!
I recently renewed my passport as it was expiring 14 January 2019 and I was travelling to Malaysia/Singapore on 23 January 2019. I wanted to wait as long as I could so I didn't waste any 'time remaining' on my previous passport but was cutting it close with Christmas/New Year public holidays so it was a little risky but turned out well. Here's what I did:
21/12/18
Submitted online application at this link and went to Australia Post after work to get this processed and take my photo. Auspost charged me $18.95 to take my photo and process my application. Also paid $282 for the 10 year standard passport renewal fee. The Auspost lady told me they come about 1 week quicker if I opt to pick up my passport from the collection office in Brisbane CBD. Normal processing time is 3 weeks.
4/1/19
Received email from DFAT saying passport is ready for pickup.
I think if you supplied your own photo, it could have potentially been $18.95 cheaper but I didn't have time to get my photo taken and take it to a JP/authorised person to witness etc.
So in summary, allow 3 weeks to get your new passport or 2 weeks if you can pick up from the collection office.
If you have no chance of "emergency" travel, then renew it whenever you next need to travel - allow 1-2 months.
Otherwise you can pay to be on the priority queue to get the passport which takes a few days but obviously it'll be much more expensive