suzannepatricia

I know it sounds a bit vague, but an elderly acquaintance of mine has been to a travel agent enquiring about flights to Oz for her first grandchilds birth, and was told she required some sort of plastic identity card with a chip in it? She was a bit puzzled, but bless her, didn't think of asking why or what for! Any ideas folks????
PS have already got my ticket through ebookers as per usual and nothing has been mentioned. Is my friend having a senior moment?

worzel

She ought to have a good few months on her passport (6 to be safe) and an Electronic Travel Authorisation visa (10GBP - travel agent normally sorts this) but that is it.

It sounds a bit like they are asking for a passport with bio data on it that the USA is going to start requiring. I seem to remember reading a story a couple of years ago when some old dear bought a ticket to Sydney (I think) but got the wrong Sydney and ended up in the wilds of Canada rather than Australia. It couldn't be the same mistake could it?!?!?

Pollyana

Possibly they are asking for a credit card? Don't all UK ones have chips in them now? (unlike here!)

worzel

That sounds plausible (but mine is more exciting )

Pollyana

Certainly does! My excuse is I have to be sober and proper with the MIL in residence

moneypenny20

Hell, she must know what you're like by now, surely

Pollyana

You'd think so, but I got one heck of a dirty look when I opened a bottle of sparkling wine this afternoon! My Bro in law gave me a bar set - corkscrew etc - for Xmas & she gave that a funny look too!

moneypenny20

She's probably just jealous because she can only handle an egg nog

Pollyana

The Bloke left half a glass of whisky and coke on the bench this morning - she drank it, thinking it was the drink she asked him to make her She had to lie down from shock when she realised it was whisky and she had downed it in one!!!

Mctree

Permanent residents in Canada get a plastic card with a chip in it (you use it instead of a passport, for getting into the country). Maybe the TA thought she was a resident of Oz? Does Australia give similar things to PRs?

JAJ

Canadian PRs must still use a valid passport plus PR Card to return to Canada, unless falling within a few exceptions.

There is no equivalent in Australia.


It also appears there's confusion here - to visit Australia you need a passport valid for the duration of the trip (preferably at least 6 months to avoid hassles en-route) plus a tourist visa or ETA.



Jeremy

ABCDiamond

Sounds like Worzel may have been right

Sydney is Nova Scotia’s third largest city and acts as a major industrial hub for the rest of Atlantic Canada.
http://www.sydneynovascotia.worldweb.com/index.html.

Mctree

Nah you don't. Upon entering Canada you present your PR card, nothing else, they don't want to see your Passport.

JAJ

I'm not sure if an airline will let you board a flight to Canada on the strength of a PR Card. Maybe I'm incorrect but I'm not sure if I'd risk it. Anyway, usually the other country you are travelling to requires a valid passport.



Jeremy

Mctree

Yep, you're right. But actually going through immigration inside Canada requires the PR card, not the passport. I'm told (never tried it) that if you don't have the PR card, they don't let you in.

So, how is the PR status handled in Oz? Is the Visa printed in your passport, electronic, or a separate piece of paper?