Australia - Useful Information

Resident Return Visa

After your permanent resident visa is granted you must "land"in Australia within twelve months of the date of your medical examination - sometimes a shorter period is given and you should check the letter that approved your visa application

You will also be given a 5-year "resident return visa" which allows you to leave and re-enter Australia for the first 5 years of your visa, but if you are outside Australia at the end of the 5 years, you may not be able to re-enter.

If you are living in Australia after the end of the 5 years and wish to leave (e.g. on holiday or for business) you must apply for a fresh RRV as the previous 5 year RRV will have expired.

Sometimes it is possible to obtain a RRV for a further 5 years: you would be wise to re-check the situation well before your first 5 year RRV expires

If you are not eligible for a further 5 year RRV you may be entitled to a 3 month RRV.

Becoming an Australian Citizen

You can become a citizen and travel on an Australian passport: to do so you must have been present in Australia as a permanent resident for a total of 2 years in the previous 5 years, including a total of 12 months in the 2 years immediately before the date you lodge your application for citizenship.

You can retain your existing citizenship (and passport).