Australian Lost Passport: getting back to Australia [without it]

[RooFlyer]

This has turned into a seriously useful thread. Sorry for eric2011 wife's experience that started it, but the links by henrus and story of jgm will be in my traveling 'kit' from now on.

 

[Pushka]

This has turned into a seriously useful thread. Sorry for eric2011 wife's experience that started it, but the links by henrus and story of jgm will be in my traveling 'kit' from now on.

Totally agree. I’ve saved it to my ithingy because losing a passport would be the pits. I wonder, if it creates issues when transiting.

 

[henrus]

I wonder, if it creates issues when transiting.

Well, technically you'd need the approval of the destination, origin and transit country (which may or may not be required)... something that I've never heard of happening (I'm sure it has somewhere though). If it's too hard for EK to get approval for a simple AKL-BNE then I doubt they'd bother to get approval for an LHR-DXB-BNE, so in reality, you'd have to come across some really helpful airline staff to get them to make the calls.

This is why the new QF LHR-PER flight is quite useful as it allows for travel between the UK and Australia without stopping in a 3rd country. Once the flight begins you could show up (in theory) at Heathrow with some form of ID like a Driver License after having lost your passport and board the nonstop flight back home to Australia with one simple approval from immigration in Australia.

 

[Deleted member]

Closing stable doors after horse has bolted. But it strikes me that carrying an emergency passport kit (somewhere separate from your passport of course) photos, certified copies of birth certificate etc and photos is a good idea.

That said I always have my spare UK passport separate from my usual Kiwi one handy.

My Dad has his stolen in France a few years back. He was able to get to UK without much effort. Went to nz consulate to organise a new emergency one. Was advised that he needed documentation otherwise a reputable person to “vouch” for him. As he was chatting to the officer on duty his eye passed over the display board with the names of the senior staff including the NZ High Commisioner . Fortunately for him. The High Commissioner was a personal friend of over 40 years. Needless to say his passport was a same day affair ....
Talk about luck !!

 

[Quickstatus]

This is why the new QF LHR-PER flight is quite useful as it allows for travel between the UK and Australia without stopping in a 3rd country. Once the flight begins you could show up (in theory) at Heathrow with some form of ID like a Driver License after having lost your passport and board the nonstop flight back home to Australia with one simple approval from immigration in Australia.

In theory yes except when it has to land in an interim third country. Often passengers do not have to disembark - to pick up additional fuel, medical emergency drop off. However due to the ultra long haul nature of PER-LHR, any divert will cause the crew to run out of hours. Then the aircraft can not depart and the passengers will have to enter this 3rd country. No passport in this situation will be very problematic.

 

[henrus]

In theory yes except when it has to land in an interim third country. Often passengers do not have to disembark - to pick up additional fuel, medical emergency drop off. However due to the ultra long haul nature of PER-LHR, any divert will cause the crew to run out of hours. Then the aircraft can not depart and the passengers will have to enter this 3rd country. No passport in this situation will be very problematic.

You'd have to be having a very unlucky day for this to happen... Not only have you lost your passport but your flights also been diverted.

EK449 which runs from AKL to DXB is only 180 miles shorter than the new Qantas PER-LHR route and in the last 4 months (as far back as Flightaware free goes) they haven't had to divert once meaning your luck would have to be really bad on a ultra long haul like that to face a diversion.

 

[tgh]

Envious of all these dual passport holders…
#2 Grandson (born in the usa) … has a plethora of passport options.. he is a lucky chappie...but doesn't know it…yet

 

[OATEK]

When I lost my passport (I think pick-pocketed, as I had it when I got on the No19 bus, and gone when I arrived at Highbury) it was emergency stations. First thing next morning I was queued when the High Commission in London opened. They recommended I carry a copy of my birth certificate tucked away somewhere separate to the passport to make it easier, but still issued the passport. As said above, applied again in Sydney in the validity period and got it extended from 1 year to full 10. I was also told that while I could gain entry back in Oz with my drivers licence, I could have trouble at the transit point in Asia.
Did I say I turned up at the HC the morning of my flight? Most of the family were in UK for a wedding, so went to HC ready for it too open. Didn't think to get photos, raced out got those, raced back, and all done about 11am. Go back, check family out, except Mum and Dad were staying another week or two. Most went by bus to airport while Dad drove me in to Aldwych, cruised the block while I picked up passport, shot out through Admiralty Arch, up past Buckingham Palace (just for the fun of it) and headed to Heathrow. Got there with plenty of time to spare, although Mother-in-law and Wife were definitely worried they would have to take the kids back without me until I appeared. Quite an adventure, and have no wish to repeat it.

 

[Quickstatus]

In the end it’s the prerogative of the carrier whether to carry you or not regardless of what anyone else says. Often the checkin/gate/lounge agent can be more problematic than immigration agent at arrivals.

 

[opusman]

I flew over yesterday morning with a spare passport and checked her in and flew home last night.

A side issue (and one I'm sure you don't care about) but isn't it a no-no for an Australian citizen to enter on anything other than an AU passport? I wonder if she'll get any grief in the future over that.

 

[Pushka]

Envious of all these dual passport holders…
#2 Grandson (born in the usa) … has a plethora of passport options.. he is a lucky chappie...but doesn't know it…yet

My future DIL is the same. UK and US passport. Not sure if she can get the third - an Aussie one. Any children they have - will have 3?

 

[eric2011]

A side issue (and one I'm sure you don't care about) but isn't it a no-no for an Australian citizen to enter on anything other than an AU passport? I wonder if she'll get any grief in the future over that.

OK I sort of know where you are coming from and its worth thinking about
1. She departed BNE-AKL on an Australian passport which has since been cancelled
2. She returned AKL-BNE on her New Zealand passport, did an machine entry at immigration entered no problems

I have ordered a new AU passport and when we depart for SIN at end of next month was going to use this or do you think she should depart on the NZ one so that immigration sees her coming and going so shes not an overstayer or something, and on the return use the AU one ?

 

[Chrisd26]

Risky question here.... but HOW do SO MANY people appear to lose passports while travelling??

I started travelling 40 years ago and never even came close to losing one?

 

[Quickstatus]

Risky question here.... but HOW do SO MANY people appear to lose passports while travelling??

I started travelling 40 years ago and never even came close to losing one?

There are consequences for losing passport too many times.
2 losses in 5 years = next passport valid for 5 years only
3 losses in 5 years. = next passport valid for 2 years only

 

[eric2011]

Risky question here.... but HOW do SO MANY people appear to lose passports while travelling??

I started travelling 40 years ago and never even came close to losing one?

In my wifes case on Monday she sure as hell didn't do it for the fun, she had been to the local airport to see if her short domestic flight to AKL was being affected by the cyclone going past and had all her documents including passport, airline tickets, lounge invitations all together and they must have slipped to the ground as she was getting back into the car. Its something that just happens no matter how careful you are, similar to losing anything Unintentionally ie credit card, driver license. She spent the next 4 hours going back over every step and asked every person she saw.

 

[henrus]

I have ordered a new AU passport and when we depart for SIN at end of next month was going to use this or do you think she should depart on the NZ one so that immigration sees her coming and going so shes not an overstayer or something, and on the return use the AU one ?

I'd say it'd be best to leave on the New Zealand passport so that at the end of the days the records match up.

Officially... they say (Smartraveller.gov.au - Dual nationals)

"People trying to enter Australia as an Australian citizen but without an Australian passport will face difficulties and delays. An Australian passport is the preferred and most conclusive proof of Australian citizenship when traveling."

The reason why they say this is, for example, a UK passport holder is only allowed to stay for 3 months so if you enter on say a UK passport and it's not recorded that you're also an Australian citizen at the same time (whereas entering on an Australian one does show that you're an Australian citizen) then technically when leaving you'll be pulled up for overstaying if you've been in Australia for more than 3 months. Obviously, you can't get a fine (as there is no law to fine dual citizens for incorrectly using the 'wrong' passport) but it may cause more issues when trying to board a plane as more checks have to be done to prove you didn't overstay and you were entitled to work/live in Australia.

This isn't really a problem for NZ passport holders as they are almost always granted a special category visa (minus those with criminal convictions) which allows them to stay and work in Australia indefinitely anyway.

 

[eric2011]

This whole experience has made me rethink my arrangements when travelling. In the past we would always take just one passport and leave the other at home in the safe. From now on I am going to take them both, I will carry the AU passports and mrs 2011eric can carry the NZ ones completely separate to me and then like usual when I get to my destination they go into the hotel safe until ready to go to the airport again. It will be almost impossible for me to lose the AU ones and her the NZ ones all on the same trip

 

[eric2011]

I'd say it'd be best to leave on the New Zealand passport so that at the end of the days the records match up.

OK thanks, that is what I am thinking as well

 

[MEL_Traveller]

In the end it’s the prerogative of the carrier whether to carry you or not regardless of what anyone else says. Often the checkin/gate/lounge agent can be more problematic than immigration agent at arrivals.

While the passenger is required to have appropriate documentation, the airline can't also unreasonably refuse to carry you. If arrival immigration has given clearance, the airline might be in breach of their contract if they decide to overrule that.

If an intermediate country is involved things become more difficult. Intermediate countries are unlikely to give clearance for passangrs to transit without papers. The airline could refuse travel on that basis.

 

[Quickstatus]

While the passenger is required to have appropriate documentation, the airline can't also unreasonably refuse to carry you. If arrival immigration has given clearance, the airline might be in breach of their contract if they decide to overrule that.

If an intermediate country is involved things become more difficult. Intermediate countries are unlikely to give clearance for passangrs to transit without papers. The airline could refuse travel on that basis.

An airline can refuse carriage for any reason they deem reasonable. I’m sure you are right but based on prior experience trying to explain rules to some recalcitrant agent is likely to be an excercise in frustrated futility.