Australian Citizen Travel Exemption- Has Anyone Got Them and When?

THL on 04/06/2020 - 23:35
Last edited 04/06/2020 - 23:36

Hi all,

As the title suggested, I need to travel overseas as I'm moving to another country for 1 year. I've submitted a form on the Department of Home Affairs more than 3 weeks ago and my scheduled flight is less than 5 days.

I'm an Australian citizen but I also hold citizenship & passport of the country that I'm travelling to. However, I haven't lived in that country for more than a decade so therefore I believe I'll need to apply for the exemption (I don't think I fall under the category of "people ordinarily resident in a country other than Australia", which doesn't need the exemption).

I believe my reason to travel is legitimate and urgent. I've provided all of the necessary documents and I'm getting anxious about the progress of the exemption. I've called the Department of Home Affairs and they said they cannot discuss individual application, there's no way to contact the team that's assessing the exemptions and that "an outcome will only be sent out when it's close to your intended travel date".

Just wondering my fellow OzBargainers, has anyone applied for the travel exemption and got the approval/rejection? If so, how close did you receive the notification relative to your intended travel date?

Thanks everyone in advance.

Info to the travel exemption on Department of Home Affair: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/departmental-fo…

Travel

Comments

  • fenetic on 05/06/2020 - 04:30
    +2

    Applied and received an approval in 72 hours via email. I still managed to missed the flight though as my flight was at 12pm and I received the approval at 11:45am, at that point check-in was closed already.
    Maybe check your junk/spam mail, if it's not there then it's likely that they review the applications based on the flight date and time, so I would check my email 24 hours before the flight.

    • THL on 05/06/2020 - 09:25

      Thanks for sharing. I wish I could've got a response back within 72 hours but I've been checking my email everyday for the past 3 weeks. Did you end up travelling overseas since you missed your flight?

      • fenetic on 05/06/2020 - 16:01
        +1

        No I did not, it was the last flight that day and then the next day the destination country has stopped letting foreigners in.

  • EFC94 on 05/06/2020 - 06:45
    -4

    I'd suggest giving them a call to find out whats happening.

    As a side note, what is your reason for needing to move countries now, and not in 6/12 months?

  • oscargamer on 05/06/2020 - 09:00

    If you hold a valid passport for the country you are entering, then you can legally enter that country.

    Is that what you are asking?

    • jjjaar on 05/06/2020 - 09:42
      +3

      No, it appears they’re asking for the exemption permit to leave Australia, which is required for anyone who is a citizen of Australia, regardless of dual citizenship.

      • oscargamer on 05/06/2020 - 09:53

        OK. Then contact them. It's urgent. https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/contact-us

        Or failing everything else, just turn up at the airport and only use your other passport?

        • THL on 05/06/2020 - 09:59

          I've called them and my response is posted above. And no, I can't just use the other passport because if I'm an Australian I must use Australian passport to enter/leave the country and therefore I'm subject to the travel ban.

  • maiuspala on 05/06/2020 - 11:00
    +2

    Im so glad OP brought this topic up. Im also interested in the possible options of leaving Australia.
    I have signed up with many travel related newsletters, but for some reason outwards travel ban has not been mentioned anywhere. Everyone just keeps talking about travel deals, like there is no travel ban.

  • Geekomatic on 05/06/2020 - 16:07
    +1

    Try ringing local migration places. They might be able to at least guide you or possibly give you another method of contact?

  • Just Hai on 06/06/2020 - 13:23

    OP needs to be patience and just wait, but prepare for the worst (that the way we are dealing with DOHA at this time).
    btw, please update this thread once you got approval

    • THL on 06/06/2020 - 16:39

      That's pretty much what I'm thinking - expect for the worse. I think I've been fairly patient given I've submitted the application more than 3 weeks ago and haven't heard a word from the Department. Fingers crossed I guess.

      • ajjkh225 on 11/06/2020 - 14:57

        ive been very patient as well.. and called absolutely everyone i can.. but no one can help me.. is so frustrating and making me anxious as well.

  • ajjkh225 on 11/06/2020 - 14:52

    I'm leaving Australia in 2 days (13th june) and I haven't got a reply from home affairs. I applied 4 weeks ago as well and still waiting.
    i called the department of home affairs and all they say is to wait.. wtf..
    Eason2946 did u manage to leave the country?

    • THL on 14/06/2020 - 15:14

      Just an updated: only got my exemption the day after I was scheduled to fly out. Now I need to wait for the next available flight. Did you manage to get the approval?

      • ajjkh225 on 14/06/2020 - 16:50

        yeh i got it 20 hrs before my flight lol

      • Prince K on 14/06/2020 - 17:34

        I’m in a similar boat, am a dual citizen wanting to move permanently. What kind of documents did you use as proof? Was it difficult and costly as you had to miss your original flight?

      • fraudie on 30/06/2020 - 21:40

        What kind of evidence/documentation did you provide when applying for an exemption? Looking to apply for an exemption in the next few weeks.

        • Kay89 on 06/08/2020 - 10:54

          Did any of you dual citizens apply for an exemption to leave permanently - how did you go? I am also considering this. Thanks

      • AQS on 14/08/2020 - 15:46

        I just read through the thread now, glad to see you got approved in time. I plan on travelling overseas and wanted to know what kind of evidence/documentation did you provide when applying for an exemption?

        • THL on 14/08/2020 - 19:58

          Depending on your reason for travel. If you are moving overseas then they might require to see job offer, rental/lease agreement, moving company quote/receipts…etc.

          Best to check the Department of Home Affairs website to see the latest info as it's been a while since I got mine.

          All the best.

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