Australia: Digital Passenger Cards for International Travelers

7/23/2026

Hand holding a smartphone displaying the Australia Digital Passenger Card for international travelers at an airport.

For UAE residents planning travel Down Under, Australia's border entry process is undergoing a major digital transformation. The Australian Government has announced a AUD $56.1 million investment to officially phase out the familiar orange paper incoming passenger cards in favor of a digital system called the Australia Travel Declaration, simplifying entry for international visitors and expats traveling from hubs like Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

The initiative follows a successful pilot program launched with Qantas, which saw over 450,000 inbound passengers complete digital declarations on flights landing in major hubs like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Given the major codeshare alliance between Emirates and Qantas, travelers flying out of the UAE on Qantas-operated routes have been among the early adopters. The trial is expanding to other capital cities—including Perth and Adelaide—before rolling out across all international travel routes.

Over the next 12 to 18 months, the Australia Travel Declaration will replace physical forms across all Australian international airports and seaports. UAE residents traveling for leisure, business, or family visits will be able to fill out their declarations online via a webform before boarding, with mobile app integration currently being co-designed with industry partners to mirror the seamless digital travel experiences residents are accustomed to at UAE airports.

In addition to faster airport transit times, the digital migration allows Australian authorities to perform advance risk assessments—particularly regarding biosecurity and customs declarations. For UAE travelers, declaring items like specialized foods, gifts, or larger sums of currency prior to departure will reduce wait times at customs clearance upon landing.

Supported by modern biometric processing at Australian immigration, this broader modernization effort aims to handle growing international passenger traffic seamlessly. Whether traveling from UAE hubs for holidays or preparing for long-term visits ahead of major global events like the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, passengers can expect a stress-free transition from the arrival gate to the city.

Source: Australia Minister of Home Affairs