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During bankruptcy, there are certain restrictions on foreign travel. In fact, if your trustee asks you for your passport, you need to hand it over to him.

But this does not mean that you are disbarred from travelling outside your country. You can travel abroad if you get the permission to do so from your trustee.

You need to fill up a form known as the “Request for Permission to Travel Overseas Whilst Bankrupt” Form, wherein you need to provide various details about your travel abroad such as the country you are visiting, the date of departure from the home country and the date on which you are going to return. Most importantly, you need to furnish details as to the reasons for your travel, and the sources of finance for such travel (Eg. if someone else is paying for the trip such as a client).

Your trustee will not deny you permission for travelling abroad, given that you have been dutifully fulfilling all your bankruptcy obligations. He may also impose some conditions on your travel as per his discretion. Permission may not be granted if the trustee believes that you have not fulfilled your obligations towards the bankruptcy, or if he needs your help in administering it, or if his investigations are still incomplete.

It is important to note, that non-fulfilment of any conditions imposed by the trustee on your travel abroad, can attract heavy penalty. Also, leaving or attempting to leave Australia without the prior approval of your trustee, can result in upto 3 years imprisonment.