World Youth Day Australia 2008


World Youth Day 2008 will take place in Sydney July 15-20, 2008.  The following information is for American citizens planning to travel to Australia to participate in this event.

Things to Read Before You Go

One way to make your foreign travel safer and more enjoyable is to familiarize yourself with your destination.  The Department of State publishes  Country Specific Information for Australia that includes information on usual immigration practices, health conditions, minor political disturbances, usual currency and entry regulations, crime and security (including risk of terrorism), and drug penalties.  The Country Specific Information does not include advice, but presents information in a factual manner so that you can make your own decisions about your travel. 

For additional information on World Youth Day, including information on hotel accommodations, tickets, transportation, and advice for spectators, see the World Youth Day Sydney 2008 web site.

 

Things to Do Before You Go

You will need a valid U.S. passport to travel.  All international World Youth Day participants will need an electronic travel authorization (electronic Australian visa) to enter Australia for the event.  For more information on visas, please visit the Government of Australia’s Department of Immigration and Citizenship web site. 

The Department of State urges you to register online with the U.S. Consulate in Sydney, preferably before you travel, via our Internet-based registration system.  This will help us locate you in the event there is a general emergency or if someone in the United States needs to reach you about an urgent matter. You should leave a copy of your itinerary, a copy of your passport data pages, and contact information with family or friends.

Check with your medical insurance company to find out whether your policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as medical evacuation.  Obtaining medical treatment and hospital care abroad can be expensive, and medical evacuation to the U.S. can cost more than $50,000.  Note that U.S. medical insurance is generally not accepted outside the United States.  If your insurance policy does not cover you abroad, it is a good idea to consider purchasing a short-term policy that does.  There are health insurance policies designed specifically to cover travel.  Many travel agents and private companies offer insurance plans that will cover health care expenses incurred overseas, including emergency services such as medical evacuations.  For more information, please see the Department's flyer on Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad

Help While You're There

U.S. consuls stand ready to assist Americans in a variety of emergency situations overseas, including loss of passport, illness, temporary destitution, crime, or arrest.  Please note that consular officers in our Consulate General in Sydney cannot act as travel agents, banks, lawyers, investigators, post offices, or law enforcement officers.  They cannot assist Americans in finding employment, applying for residence or driving permits, searching for missing luggage, or settling disputes with hotel managers.  They also cannot bail Americans out of jail.  They can, however, tell you how to get help on these and other matters.

  • If you lose your American passport, you will need to apply to replace it at the U.S. Consulate General in Sydney before continuing your travel abroad or returning to the United States.  For more information, visit the Consulate’s web site. 
  • If an American citizen becomes seriously ill or injured abroad, a U.S. consular officer can assist in locating appropriate medical services and informing family or friends.  If necessary, a consular officer can also assist in the transfer of funds from the United States.  However, payment of hospital and other expenses is the responsibility of the traveler.  Remember that your medical insurance company can advise you on whether your policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as medical evacuation.  For more information, please see the Department's flyer on Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad.  For information on Australian dentists and doctors, please see the Consulate General’s list of doctors who have expressed an interest in serving American clients.
  • American citizens who need financial assistance should explore commercial options such as Western Union or other money wire services, credit card advances, or automatic teller machines (ATMs).  In emergencies, the U.S. Consulate General can help you contact family and friends to have them send money.  For more information, please read the Department of State's information on Providing Financial Assistance to Americans Abroad and information on OCS Trusts.
  • Americans traveling or living in Australia are subject to the Australian legal system and can be arrested for violating local law.  The Department of State or the U.S. Consulate General in Sydney cannot have an American released from prison.  U.S. consular officers in Sydney can provide other types of assistance.  For more information, please see the Department's flyer on Assistance to Americans Arrested Abroad.  If you seek an attorney in Australia, please see the Consulate General's list of attorneys who have expressed interest in representing American clients.
  • Despite the best preparation, crises like natural disasters, terrorist attacks, or mass-transportation accidents can occur.  For information on what you can do in a crisis and how the U.S. Government can assist you, please see the Department's information on crisis awareness.

 

Useful Contact Information

Sydney NSW 2000

  • Department of State's Office of Overseas Citizens Services
  • within U.S. and Canada:  1-888-407-4747
  • from overseas:  1-202-501-4444
  • Department of State's National Passport Information Center
  • within the U.S.:  1-877-487-2778
  • TDD/TTY from within the U.S.: 1-888-874-7793
  • American citizens overseas should contact their closest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for information about passports.

Local Authorities
  • Emergency assistance for visitors in Australia:  000
  • Australian police (while in Australia):  000
  • Ambulance (while in Australia):  000
  • Fire Department (while in Australia):  000

 

Useful Links

 

Transportation

Tourism and Culture