UK passport holders - use of SmartGate to enter Australia
May 11th 2014, 8:59 am
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2009
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 253
UK passport holders - use of SmartGate to enter Australia
Hi,
Has anyone else seen this announcement from the Assistant Minister for Immigation and Border Protection, Michaelia Cash last week?
http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/medi...4/mc214147.htm
Hidden in the text, it mentions that US passport holders will join UK and NZ passport holders in permanent eligiblity to use the SmartGate system to enter Australia.
quote
Minister Cash also took the opportunity at the WCO IT Conference to announce that SmartGate use will be permanently extended to all eligible US citizens arriving at any one of Australia's eight major international airports.
In November 2012, Customs and Border Protection began a trial allowing US ePassport holders to use SmartGate when arriving at one of Australia's eight major international airports.
'Today, the US will become the third nation to be granted permanent eligibility to use SmartGate, along with New Zealand and the UK,' Minister Cash said.
'This is a fantastic, tangible outcome in managing traveller growth across Australia's eight major international airports. No doubt, travellers into Australia will be pleased to face shorter queues at our airports.'
unquote
This must have passed me by, as I have dutifully queued up with the throng of people in the 'rest of the world' queue several times upon arrival at Melbourne.
Does anyone else have experience of using the SmartGate system to enter Australia on a British passport?
Has anyone else seen this announcement from the Assistant Minister for Immigation and Border Protection, Michaelia Cash last week?
http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/medi...4/mc214147.htm
Hidden in the text, it mentions that US passport holders will join UK and NZ passport holders in permanent eligiblity to use the SmartGate system to enter Australia.
quote
Minister Cash also took the opportunity at the WCO IT Conference to announce that SmartGate use will be permanently extended to all eligible US citizens arriving at any one of Australia's eight major international airports.
In November 2012, Customs and Border Protection began a trial allowing US ePassport holders to use SmartGate when arriving at one of Australia's eight major international airports.
'Today, the US will become the third nation to be granted permanent eligibility to use SmartGate, along with New Zealand and the UK,' Minister Cash said.
'This is a fantastic, tangible outcome in managing traveller growth across Australia's eight major international airports. No doubt, travellers into Australia will be pleased to face shorter queues at our airports.'
unquote
This must have passed me by, as I have dutifully queued up with the throng of people in the 'rest of the world' queue several times upon arrival at Melbourne.
Does anyone else have experience of using the SmartGate system to enter Australia on a British passport?
May 11th 2014, 10:58 am
#2
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2006
Location: Apparently I'm in the Place to Be x
Posts: 995
Re: UK passport holders - use of SmartGate to enter Australia
Was hoping to last trip but DD is under 16 so need to queue with her 
May 11th 2014, 11:20 am
#3
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: UK
Posts: 14,284
Re: UK passport holders - use of SmartGate to enter Australia
Yes I had noticed that UK had been added to one of the queues at Sydney airport last couple of trips in march and April. Didn't make any difference to anything.
May 11th 2014, 12:43 pm
#4
uk soon to be in oz
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 19
Re: UK passport holders - use of SmartGate to enter Australia
i used it in november when i was there, got through customs in no time and well before everyone else off my plane.
May 13th 2014, 1:06 am
#5
Joined: Feb 2012
Location: Not in Paris
Posts: 18,188
Re: UK passport holders - use of SmartGate to enter Australia
I did not know this however I didn't have a ePassport last time I went to Australia. I'm about to renew my passport so I'll give it a whirl next time. Apparently the Swiss can use it too
https://www.immi.gov.au/media/fact-s...1smartgate.htm
https://www.immi.gov.au/media/fact-s...1smartgate.htm
Who can use SmartGate?
To be eligible to use SmartGate you must be 16 years or older and hold a valid ePassport from one of the following countries:
Australia (this does not apply to Australian citizens travelling on military orders)
New Zealand (this does not apply to New Zealand citizens travelling on military orders)
United States of America (Global Entry Program members)
United Kingdom
Switzerland.
To be eligible to use SmartGate you must be 16 years or older and hold a valid ePassport from one of the following countries:
Australia (this does not apply to Australian citizens travelling on military orders)
New Zealand (this does not apply to New Zealand citizens travelling on military orders)
United States of America (Global Entry Program members)
United Kingdom
Switzerland.
