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I am a big fan of all things analog & souvenir-ish, and I am planning a visit to Australia. I was discouraged to hear about the ETA and that it means you do not get a stamp... but I know some places still give stamps at their discretion (like the USA, I'm Canadian so we don't usually get stamps but it has happened).

On an Australian immigration website, there is mention that Australian citizens can get their passports stamped upon entry/exit to Aus, but there's no mention of foreigners being able to do so and I was wondering if anybody knew.

hippietrail
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user3899
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3 Answers3

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As a New Zealander - I can confirm that I've been through Australia twice in the last three months, and many times in the last several years, and have stamps from every single time. I've also seen it on many non-New Zealander and non-Australian passports.

Frankly, this is the first time I've heard of anyone commenting that they might not get a stamp.

I guess the answer you're looking for is firstly - there IS a stamp, and odds are you'll get it without asking, but I'm sure if they didn't, you could always ask, as they'll have it there on their desk.

Mark Mayo
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Short answer : When entering using an ETA, you do NOT get a Visa stamp, as the ETA is electronic. You WILL get an entry stamp when you enter, and an exit stamp when you leave.

Longer Answer :

There are two types of "Stamps" that can be put in a passport - Visa stamps and entry/exit stamps.

Visas. As of a few months ago, Australia no longer issues physical Visas for most types of visas without payment of an additional fee. All Visas are recorded and tracked electronically.

Entry/Exit stamps. The rules of exit/entry stamps vary depending upon your nationality and how you enter the country.

For Australian passports, they have not stamped passports by default for over 5 years. If you ask they will happily do it for you, but they will never do it without asking.

For New Zealand and US passports, when entering Australia using SmartGate your passport will not be stamped when entering Australia. As you do not deal with immigration officials when using SmartGate there is no way to ask for a stamp to be given.

For all other passports entering and departing Australia your passport will be stamped.

It is expected that the use of SmartGate will be rolled out to citizens of additional countries over the next few years, at which time the number of countries that do not receive a stamp when using SmartGate will increase.

All entry/exits (including of Australians) are recorded electronically, as are any Visas that are issued automatically on arrival.

Doc
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Just left Australia today (via Cairns) and asked the immigration officer to stamp my passport. I'm Australian and for the last few years they've only stamped Austalian passports on request. To my surprise, I was told that as of 1st Dec 2012, no more entry/exit stamps for anyone - Australian or foreign. Apparently the computer record is good enough now. How am I to fill my passport now? :-)

Toby
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