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 requirements, changes to travel in China and South Korea, new tourist fees when visiting New Zealand, and more.
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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.
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.
The Aussie destinations trending with local travellers for 2025
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.
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.
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.
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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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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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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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.
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