Do I need a transit visa to pass through Australia?
I booked a cheap (nightmare) ticket from Wellington NZ to Kathmandu via Sydney and KL. I am a US citizen and New Zealand resident; my wife is a dual US and Australian citizen. We have to pick up our bags after every flight and re-check them in. The holdover in Sydney is just about 4 hours a bit over.
Will I need a visa to go and get my bags and then re-enter the terminal for my next flight? The first airline is Air New Zealand, the next is Air Asia. I know I will not need a visa for KL as we get it on arrival and same in Kathmandu, but Australia is somewhat complicated. Should I apply for an online electronic travel visa?
Best Answer
No, neither of you needs a transit visa for Australia, as long as it's under 72h.
Quoting the Australian border agency on the matter (emphasis mine):
The following categories of travellers are eligible to transit through Australia without applying for a visa:
Citizens of the following countries:Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kiribati, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Monaco, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Samoa, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Tonga, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom (including its colonies), United States of America, Uruguay, Vanuatu and Vatican.
However, as Calchas noted you would need a proper visa if you need to recheck your bags
If passengers are required to pass through Immigration clearance and check-in to their onward flight, including managing their luggage, they will require a visa to enter Australia. An appropriate visa for this purpose will need to be applied for and granted before travelling to Australia.
Pictures about "Do I need a transit visa to pass through Australia?"
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Visa requirements To transit through \u200bAustralia you must hold a valid visa or be from an eligible country to Transit without a visa (TWOV).Do I need a transit visa for a technical stop in Australia?
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Anyone who arrives without a valid travel document, visa or authority to enter Australia, may be delayed until their identity and claims to enter Australia are checked. If a person does not meet immigration clearance requirements they may be refused entry to Australia.Why You Need Transit Visa When Traveling Via Australia|| When And How To Apply Transit Visa 🇦🇺
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