Planning to travel in 2025? Here's your guide to every new travel requirement Aussies need to know
If you're booking a holiday, business trip, or seeing overseas family in 2025, there are a slew of new requirements for Aussie travellers that came into effect recently that might affect you.
Read on to find out about the new UK visa and entry requirements, changes to travel in China and South Korea, new tourist fees when visiting New Zealand, and the new declaration card for Indonesia.
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Australian passport fee hikes are just one of the changes for Aussie travellers this year. Getty
Passport stamps to be a thing of the past in Europe
Many countries in Europe are in the process of replacing passport stamps with a new digital system for foreign travellers.
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is being rolled out by 29 European countries (the Schengen member states and associated nations), starting from October 12th. It will be in full effect by next April.
So what does this mean for Aussies?
You'll still need to hand over your passport, but it won't get a stamp. The system will register details from your document, to be stored in the system.
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Passport stamps are being phased out in Europe. Getty
You'll likely be asked to scan your fingerprints and take a quick photo during your first entry. On future trips, you'll only require a passport scan and a live photo, unless your record expires.
It may seem like a hassle, but it will significantly speed things up, especially for frequent travellers.
"This new system is modernising border control and will digitally track every traveller that enters and exits the country through fingerprinting and/or facial imaging," says Rich Davis, Senior Security Advisor at International SOS and former Chief Security Officer at United Airlines.
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The new system will hopefully speed up immigration processes. Getty
All Indonesia declaration card required
A new All Indonesia declaration card will be required for all international passengers arriving at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) in Jakarta, Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali (DPS), and Juanda International Airport in Surabaya (SUB).
This requirement, a streamlined platform designed to replace the multiple separate forms previously required for international visitors, will be extended to all international travellers at all airports in Indonesia from October 1.
You can apply for the e-Visa on Arrival (e-VOA) only after submitting your All Indonesia declaration card online, at least 48 hours before your travel to Indonesia.
New Zealand to charge tourists to see sights
Foreign visitors will be charged to access four of New Zealand's most iconic conservation areas under a new policy announced by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Conservation Minister Tama Potaka, Stuff reports.
The new charge would apply to overseas tourists visiting Cathedral Cove/Te Whanganui-a-Hei, Tongariro Crossing, the Milford Sound, and Aoraki/Mount Cook, where overseas travellers accounted for up to 80 per cent per cent of visitors, Potaka said.
The charge will range from $20 to $40 per person and the money will be invested in the locations.
Dates for it to begin have not been set.
Seeing Milford Sound will cost tourists. Getty Images/iStockphoto
US ESTA cost to rise
Most Aussies are eligible for a visa waiver to go to the USA for a holiday. It's applied for online and can last for multiple trips over two years.
But the price is planned to rise from around $US21 ($32) to around $US40 ($60).
No set date for the change has been announced.
A new US$250 (AU$380) Visa Integrity Fee is also planned for some other visas such as for students going to study.
EU hikes new ETIAS fee
That Euro summer is about to get even more expensive.
The EU will now raise the new European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) fee from 7 to 20 Euros (about $36).
The fee will apply to non-EU nationals from visa-free countries including Australia. No date has been set for the introduction.
That Euro summer is about to get even more expenisve. Getty
Thailand launches compulsory 'digital arrivals card'
Travellers heading to Thailand will need to complete a new digital arrivals card for entering the country on or after 1 May 2025.
All visitors to Thailand arriving by air, sea or land must complete the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card (which replaces the paper 'TM6' arrivals card) inside of 72 hours (three days) before they enter the country.
Similar to arrangements already in place in Singapore and Malaysia, it isn't required if you are transiting or transferring in Thailand without going through immigration control.
The popular travel destination is still considering adopting a controversial new 'electronic travel authorisation' which could be accompanied by a 300 Baht ($14) tourism tax levy.
Thailand has a new digital arrival card for travellers. Getty
Higher fees at popular Japanese site
One of the most popular sites in Japan is charging travellers more in 2025 to help combat overtourism numbers.
Local officials have announced there will be a fee of ¥4,000 (around $43) to hike the iconic mountain during this year's climbing season, scheduled from July to September, The Japan Times reports.
This is an increase from last year's fee of ¥2,000 ($21) and applies not only to the Yoshida Trail in Yamanashi prefecture, but also all three of Shizuoka prefecture's trails, which were previously free.
It will cost visitors more to climb Mt Fuji going forward. Shutterstock
New UK visa
In 2023, the United Kingdom saw 1.2 million visits from Australians, making it one of the top travel destinations for Aussies in the past few years.
However, since January 8, 2025, Australian citizens - along with other eligible citizens from non-European countries - have needed an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to visit England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
This applies for tourism, business, and family visits, as well as transits through the UK.
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Australian citizens require a UK ETA to enter Britain and Northern Island from January 1. Getty
An ETA costs £16 per application - or around $33 AUD - up from the earlier £10.
It permits multiple journeys, and is valid for two years or until the holder's passport expires - whichever is sooner.
This visa allows you to visit the UK for up to six months - if you do intend to stay for that long, there's no longer any need to apply for the old six-month visa.
You can check when to get your ETA on the UK government's website.
Those who are EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals are not required to get an ETA, and more information on your travel requirements can be found here.
China visa extended
Australian passport holders are now permitted to visit China for business, tourism, family visits, transit, and exchange purposes for 30 days visa-free, a trial introduced on November 30, 2024 that will run through to the end of 2025.
This change only applies to mainland China, where the visa was previously in place. Speak to a travel professional if you intend to visit for longer than 30 days, as it may be difficult to acquire a permit to stay.
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Currently, Aussies must apply for US travel authorisation online. Getty
South Korea visa extended
Australian passport holders can travel to South Korea for up to 90 days without applying for a K-ETA until December 31, 2025.
You can visit the K-ETA website for more information.
US Global Entry open to Aussies
Australia has joined the US' Global Entry program, which means a more streamlined and expedited clearance through immigration and customs.
A trial phase for regular visitors was held, with a second phase due to open for more Aussies later this year.
Currently, Aussies must apply for US travel authorisation online, which has a total fee of $21 USD or around $34 AUD.
Although the Global Entry program is more expensive, coming in at around $160 AUD, it provides 5-year stress-free entry to the US.
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A new Australian passport for an adult costs $412. Getty
To be eligible for the Global Entry program, you must:
- Be an Australian citizen who has travelled to the US at least 5 times in the past 12 months
- Satisfy Global Entry's strict eligibility requirements, including: no criminal convictions or pending charges, no violations of customs, immigration, or agriculture regulations, and no ongoing investigations by law enforcement agencies.
You can apply for the program through the US Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) website.
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Australian Passport changes
As of January 1, 2025, Australia's passport price went up for children and adults, making the most expensive passport in the world even more expensive.
A new passport for an adult costs $412, up from $39 and a five-year children's passport costs $208. Replacement passports now also cost $259.
This, of course, is only relevant if you are applying for a new passport in 2025.
It has also just been announced that passport applications will fully move online.
