Australian visa and entry and exit

Tips for China citizens to go to Australia (1) Special reminder (1) Threat of terrorist attacks As a staunch ally of the United States, Australia has actively supported the United States in its war on terrorism in recent years and participated in a series of overseas military actions by countries such as the United States and Britain. Australia has been listed as one of the targets of international terrorist organizations.

Since 2005, the Howard government of Australia has strengthened its anti-terrorism measures, and in June 2005, it cracked the plot of Islamic extremists to launch terrorist attacks in Sydney and Melbourne. At present, several big cities are still potential targets of terrorist attacks, so we should try our best to avoid or reduce participating in large-scale activities or going to crowded places.

(2) Buy corresponding insurance. In recent years, the number of Australian citizens who go to China to study, travel and do business has increased year by year. Some people get sick, have traffic accidents or lose valuables during their stay in Australia, all because they failed to apply for corresponding medical, personal accident and property insurance before or after arriving in Australia, and had to bear huge expenses. This has not only seriously affected their normal life, work and study, but also brought a heavy economic burden to their families. So no matter what purpose you come to Australia for, I suggest you buy the corresponding insurance in advance to prepare.

Two. Visa, entry and customs regulations (1) Main visa categories There are many kinds of visas in Australia, which are mainly divided into immigration, visitors, business, students and transit. Among them, immigrants can be divided into commercial skilled immigrants, general skilled immigrants, partner immigrants, parents immigrants, children immigrants and other family members immigrants; Tourists are divided into short-term (or long-term) tours to ensure family tours and student groups. Business is divided into short-term, long-term and guarantee; Visa applications for overseas students are issued by the Student Visa Center of the Department of Immigration in Adelaide. For ordinary China tourists or business people, if they want to transit to New Zealand or the South Pacific through Australia, they must obtain a transit visa in advance. Australia has an embassy in Beijing and consulates general in Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong. For detailed information about Australian visa regulations, please visit the website of the Australian Embassy in www.austemb.org.cn or the website of the www.immi.gov.au Immigration Bureau.

Immigration and customs regulations 1. Before the plane lands, every passenger will get an Australian immigration card. There are two kinds of cards, Chinese and English, but they must be filled in English carefully and truthfully. Australia's address can only be filled in in hotels in the entry city. If you have a fixed residence or live in the home of relatives and friends, you should fill it out truthfully. In addition, the signature on the entry card should be consistent with the signature on the passport.

2. After disembarking, there are generally the following steps: Step 1: Isolation. If tourists come to Australia directly from Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, they can go through the customs directly without inspection.

Step 2: Immigration officials mainly check passports, visas and entry registration cards and ask some simple questions, such as what is the purpose of coming to Australia? How long are you going to stay? Wait a minute. If you don't know English or know a little, but you can't express it accurately, the entry-exit inspection will generally arrange free translation services. It is best not to answer questions such as speculation to avoid misunderstanding. In recent years, illegal immigration cases have occurred frequently, and immigration inspection in Australia has become more and more strict.

When the inspector stamps your passport with the entry stamp, it means that everything is correct and you are allowed to enter the country. It should be specially reminded that according to the relevant regulations of Australia, the visa type held by foreigners when they enter Australia must be consistent with their purpose of coming to Australia. Otherwise, although you have a valid visa, immigration officials still have the right to refuse you entry.

Step 3: Check the baggage when you pick up the checked baggage to avoid taking it by mistake. If you find that your luggage is damaged or does not arrive on time, please contact the airport baggage office directly. Step 4: Customs clearance Generally speaking, Australian customs officers often ask: Is there anything to declare? Do you have anything to declare? ), if I have all kinds of meat products (regardless of packaging), plant seeds, eggs, animals and plants, fireworks, weapons and ammunition and protected wild animals, it is strictly forbidden to bring them into Australia. In addition, all food, medical supplies and medicines (whether prescription drugs or over-the-counter drugs) you bring must be declared.

Carrying more than 10000 Australian dollars (inclusive) or any foreign currency equivalent to 10000 Australian dollars must be declared. For detailed information about customs declaration, please refer to the customs website www.customs.gov.au.

Three. Security Situation and Public Security Situation Although Australia is in danger of being attacked by terrorists, the public security situation of the whole society is generally good. Because the Australian government is relatively stable, no matter whether the Labour Party or the Liberal Party is in power, the policies of the federal, state and regional governments in combating terrorism, organized crime and maintaining public order are consistent. The federal police (AFP) and state police have a clear division of labor. They are cooperative and independent, and can basically cope with various situations in time. China is a multicultural country with a large number of immigrants from different nationalities. There are no typical criminal cases against people. But in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and other big cities, theft and robbery cases have occurred from time to time; However, drunken fights are common all over Australia.

Four. Common diseases and medical conditions Australia is located in the southern hemisphere, with a unique geographical position, far from other continents, so it is immune to many epidemics. There are no common and frequently-occurring diseases in Australia. So far, no cases of avian influenza have been found in Australia. However, because Australia is the only place where many migratory birds migrate, the government is on high alert. In addition to strengthening entry inspection and quarantine, it has also established a corresponding early warning mechanism, intensified publicity and enhanced the awareness of the whole people. Australia has good sanitary conditions, developed medical technology and good hospital conditions. Usually, you need to see a general practitioner first. If you have incurable diseases or need to go to a hospital for examination, the general practitioner will refer you to an expert or a hospital.

The consulting fee for general practitioners is generally at least 50 Australian dollars. Prescription drugs, patients must have a prescription from a doctor before they can go to a pharmacy to buy medicine. The prices of medicines in Australia are generally higher than those in China. People who live in Australia for a short time are advised to bring some commonly used medicines from China. There are more than 1 100 hospitals in Australia, of which more than 60% are public hospitals, with an average of 4.5 beds per thousand people. There are about 42,000 registered doctors and 90,000 registered nurses in Australia. If you join the local medical insurance, the insurance company will bear most of the outpatient and medical expenses. Australia began to implement the universal medical insurance system from 1984, that is, medical care, and the state took out 1.5% of people's income as a medical fund in the form of taxes. The main function of this health care system is to pay for doctors' visits and medical expenses in public hospitals. Under this system, all Australian permanent residents who choose to see a doctor in a public hospital are eligible for free treatment. Doctors are appointed by hospitals, and state and regional governments not only provide medical services in public hospitals, but also cooperate with the federal government and professional institutions to ensure the quality and standards of services.

The state will pay for patients' medical expenses, public hospital operation expenses and hospitalization expenses (including medicines and food). Under normal circumstances, doctors, hospitals and governments implement unified checkout, and patients only need to pay by credit card. But look at general practitioners and specialist clinics. The government has set the charging standards for various medical services, and medical care bears 85% of these costs. Many doctors charge more than the standard, and patients have to pay the excess. Although the state does not pay for drugs for patients, the government subsidizes many medical prescriptions through the medical subsidy program. Low-income people (families with an annual income of less than 24,000 Australian dollars) only need to pay 2.80 Australian dollars for prescription drugs in pharmacies, and the rest are subsidized by the government.

In Australia, the insured of private health insurance can choose to become trea, which not only pays the insured's medical expenses in public and private hospitals, but also pays the insured's expenses for a series of non-medical services, such as physiotherapy, seeing a dentist and buying glasses. The Australian government stipulates that all international students in Australia must participate in medical insurance, that is, overseas student medical insurance (OSHC). The cost of OSHC varies according to the length of students' stay in Australia, and the charging standard varies according to the type of medical insurance chosen, but it is generally around 3 12 Australian dollars per year. OSHC will pay most (more than 80%) medical expenses, most prescription drugs and first aid expenses (excluding dentistry and optometry) incurred by international students in Australia. If you have a non-student visa or have been studying in Australia for less than three months, you can't participate in OSHC insurance. In this case, you can choose to join travel insurance or other private health insurance.

In addition, students are free to choose accident insurance and property insurance. 5. Local customs and regulations Australia is a country that attaches great importance to civilization. The Australian people are hospitable, frank and generous. But some impolite words and deeds will be looked down or stopped. The habits and precautions of local people are as follows: (1) Australians dress casually, and generally do not wear suits unless attending formal occasions. Therefore, as passengers, it is advisable to give priority to light and casual clothes.

(2) China tourists like to talk and laugh loudly, but they should pay attention to the occasion in Australia. In public places such as airplanes, trains, buses, subways, cinemas or shopping malls, Australians generally like to talk quietly, and talking loudly will attract attention.

(3) Pay attention to queuing when shopping. Australians will consciously queue up in public places. Sometimes there is no queue, but someone comes first. You should pay attention to how many people are in front of you every time you go, and then wait patiently and consciously. When queuing in some places such as banks or ATM machines, you should also keep a certain distance from the people in front.

(4) Do not spit, throw cigarette butts or garbage. These acts will be reprimanded or fined in Australia.

(5) Don't drive away small animals, let alone shoot birds. Australia has a unique natural environment, and various small animals and birds can be seen everywhere in the city. People here love small animals very much, and birds are protected by law. You must buy a ticket when you take the train. Most stations in Australia don't check tickets, and occasionally there are train ticket inspectors. Once found to have evaded tickets, they will be fined several times the fare and recorded. If they commit crimes again, their visas may be revoked and they will never have a chance to come to Australia again.

(7) Australian aborigines are conservative and generally don't like tourists to take pictures of them, so don't take pictures rashly to avoid misunderstanding. In addition, places marked "No Photographing" must also abide by the regulations and do not take pictures.

(8) China tourists think foreign children are cute and often want to take photos or touch them in Doby. If you want to take a photo with your child, you must ask your parents for permission in advance. Remember not to touch the child's head or have physical contact with it at will to avoid being mistaken for harassment. The price and supply of intransitive verbs Australia is rich in goods, and the supply of all kinds of goods is sufficient. The price level is generally higher than that of China, and the exchange rate between Australian dollar and RMB is generally maintained at around 1: 6.

If you are traveling to Australia for a short time, it is recommended to prepare the following items: (1) Clean casual clothes are acceptable in most occasions. Thin clothes are needed in summer, such as shorts, short skirts and short-sleeved tops. The sunshine in Australia is strong, so you need to prepare sun hats, sunglasses and sunscreen. Wear a thin sweater or windbreaker at night and when the weather is a little cold. It is usually necessary to add a waterproof coat or a thick coat in winter. In the house, you need to wear sweaters and jeans, as well as thick pajamas and nightgowns, because Australian houses generally have no central heating. You can also bring some underwear, socks, sportswear, swimsuits, leather shoes, sports shoes, slippers and so on. Australian hotels generally do not provide slippers.

(2) The voltage of daily necessities in Australia is the same as that in China, but the plugs are all three-phase plugs, and Australian hotels generally don't have toothpaste and toothbrushes. In addition to bringing your own toothbrush, you can also bring a small amount of shampoo for use when you first arrive.

(3) The size and weight of the box require that the box should be made of canvas, which is not easy to be damaged, and should also be equipped with straps. If the baggage is overweight, the airport will charge the excess baggage fee according to the regulations. The weight of boxes checked at all airports in Australia cannot exceed 32kg. If it exceeds 32 kg, the airport will refuse to check it. The size of hand luggage is generally not more than 23cmX 34cm X 48cm. If you have a laptop, you need to go through customs formalities, so you don't have to calculate the weight. When passing the security check, notebook computers, umbrellas and other items should be taken out separately for inspection. (4) Drugs The prices of drugs in Australia are generally more expensive than those in China, so it is best to bring them from China. You can prepare some temporary emergency gastrointestinal drugs, cold drugs, anti-inflammatory drugs, toothache drugs, tiger balm, band-AIDS, carsickness drugs, Niuhuang Jiedu tablets, traumatic injury drugs and so on.

Seven. Transportation and Tourism The Australian mainland has unique geographical and climatic characteristics, with a tropical climate in the north. April to 65438+ 10 is the dry season, and the rainy season is 165438+ 10 to April of the following year. Because it is close to the equator,1-February is a typhoon period. The climate in the south is mild and the four seasons are distinct. It is an inland desert with drought, little rain, high temperature and large temperature difference; The coastal areas are abundant in rainfall and humid in climate, which is maritime. Australia has a vast territory, and its major cities are far away, so it is often necessary to fly. Qantas has many international and domestic flights with high safety factor. Passengers can use it online.

Or call (13 13 13) to check flights and buy air tickets, which is very convenient. Qantas started direct flights from Sydney to Beijing and Shanghai, with daily flights to China. China International Airlines, China Southern Airlines and China Eastern Airlines have daily flights from Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou to Sydney and Melbourne. In addition, you can also travel to major Australian cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Darwin through Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific Hong Kong, Korean Air Seoul, All Nippon Airways Tokyo or Osaka and Malaysia Airlines Kuala Lumpur. Passengers can go to Sydney, Melbourne and other international airports by subway, bus or taxi.

Besides airplanes, buses or trains can also be used between major cities in Australia. The conditions in expressway in Australia are very good, and many Australians like to travel by car. Except for the Northern Territory, the speed limit in expressway is generally 1 100 km, and that in Victoria (Melbourne) is 100km. When driving in Australia, you must drive on the left. Domestic tourists must pay attention to this when they first arrive in Australia. They should not exceed the speed limit, but they should also pay attention to traffic safety. In addition, motor vehicles must give way to cyclists and pedestrians on zebra crossings. Generally speaking, the tourist season in Australia is from 165438+ 10 to March of the following year.

If you travel to northern Australia, it is best to travel in the dry season with little rain; Winter is the best season for inland tourism in Australia. The south is suitable for sightseeing all year round.

Eight. Contact information of Australian Embassy in China: Australian Embassy in Beijing Address: No.21Dongzhimenwai Street, Beijing Zip Code: 100600.

Tel: (010) 5140411.

Fax: (010) 51404162 (Immigration Department)

(0 10) 5 140 4292 (Consular and Administrative Department)

(0 10) 5 140 4230

Address of the Australian Consulate General in Guangzhou: Guangdong International Hotel, No.339 Huan/room KLOC-0/509, zip code: 5 10098.

Tel: (020) 8335 0909

Fax: (020) 835 07 18

Website: Australia resident

Address of Shanghai Consulate General: 22nd Floor, CITIC Pacific Plaza, Nanjing West Road 1 168, Shanghai Zip Code: 20004 1.

Tel: (02 1) 5292 5500

Fax: (021) 5925511

E-mail :acgshang@public.sta.net.cn

Website: Australia resident

Address of the Consulate General of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region: 23 Harbour Centre 2 5