Jen1977ni

So my friend’s mum was due to fly out to see her as she’s just given birth. Lives in NI but travelled to Dublin to fly. Had approved, or so she thought but upon trying to check in to the flight was told she couldn’t travel unless she was accompanied by a citizen, and was turned away. My friend and her mother are both absolutely devastated. Can this really be the case? Any advice please would be welcomed.

Moses2013

Are you sure she had everything sorted?
https://www.dfa.ie/travel/travel-adv...ies/australia/
https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/travel-restrictions Fully vaccinated Australian citizens, permanent residents and eligible visa holders can travel to and from Australia without needing to apply for a travel exemption.

Immediate family members of Australian citizens, permanent residents or New Zealand citizens usually resident in Australia who do not hold an eligible visa must provide proof of relationship before travel by submitting an exemption request through the Travel Exemption Portal.

All other temporary visa holders seeking to travel to Australia must apply for a travel exemption.

Apply online for an exemption and travel

If you are not in an exempt category you can request an individual exemption to Australia's travel restrictions using the Travel Exemption portal.

Most travel exemption requests are finalised within 7 days. Complex requests may take longer.

In order to travel, you will need both an exemption and a visa. To complete a travel exemption request you should hold a visa, or have applied for a visa, and provide information and documents to support your request. Requests may be finalised without further consideration if insufficient evidence is provided. This may include the following:

• proof of identity
• evidence that you hold a valid visa or have lodged a valid visa application
• travel itinerary
• marriage, birth, death certificate/s
• proof of relationship or residence (such as a shared tenancy agreement, joint bank account etc.)
• letter from a doctor or hospital, indicating why travel is necessary
• letter from an employer indicating why travel is necessary
• supporting letter from a business or government agency, advising why your skills are critical
• statutory declaration to support your claims.

Obtaining a travel exemption does not guarantee you will be able to get a flight to Australia at this time.

You need to apply for an exemption at least two weeks, but not more than two months, before your planned travel.

Make only one request per person. Duplicate requests will delay assessment.

Travel

If you are not granted an exemption, you should not continue with travel plans, as you will not be permitted to board a flight to Australia. If you are granted a travel exemption, you will need to take evidence of that exemption decision to the airport.

All people travelling to Australia also need to meet other requirements when preparing to travel to Australia from overseas.

Jen1977ni

Apparently she had the exemption sorted yes.

Moses2013

And she had it with her: If you are granted a travel exemption, you will need to take evidence of that exemption decision to the airport.

Jen1977ni

She had all of her exemptions- they wouldn’t let her check in without having a citizen or permanent resident check in with her

Moses2013

Sounds odd and your friend is also a permanent resident/citizen or on a visa?

christmasoompa

It sounds as though the check in staff cocked up then from what you've said. Has she contacted the airline since to see what they say? I'd be making a formal complaint and claiming compensation if the error is definitely on their part.

Jen1977ni

My friend is a citizen

TeeTMI

Assuming your friend had everything (visas, exemption, COVID-19 related proofs) that was required and the airline still refused then I would suggest she investigate further with the airline.