Is it really getting harder to get a Resident Return Visa?
Have you recently applied for a Resident Return Visa (RRV) and been wondering why it takes you so long to get the visa granted? Or are you seeking to get a RRV knowing it is unlikely for you to meet the two-year residence requirement prior to lodgement of your application? If so, read through.
What is an RRV and who needs it?
An RRV is a travel facility which will allow a permanent resident of Australia to fly back and from Australia after their previous permanent residency visa expires. One will only need an RRV if they need to travel overseas and would like to come back to Australia after their current or previous permanent residency visa expires. If your permanent residency visa is expiring but you do not have any plans to travel overseas, then you do not need to get an RRV.
Changing of processing time for RRV
The Department has recently changed their global visa processing time for RRV. The published processing time now for a RRV is between 67 days to 5 months. The Department of Home Affairs has made it clear that for applications that do not meet the residence requirement, it will take the Department longer to finalise their applications. Processing timeframes for these applications can be up to 12 weeks.
How can I ensure success of my RRV applications if I do not meet the residence requirement?
If you have resided in Australia as an Australian permanent resident or Australian citizen for at least 2 years out of the last five years prior to lodgement of your RRV application, you will meet the residence requirement. If so, it is likely that you will be granted a 5-year RRV unless you have certain issues that will the concerns of the Department of Home Affairs.
However, if you do not meet the residence requirement, you will need to demonstrate to the Department that you have ties of benefit of benefit to Australia. Such ties would include business, cultural, employment and/or personal ties. In short, the stronger ties you have to Australia, the more likely you will be granted an RRV. However, even if you could successfully convince the Department that you have strong ties to Australia by providing sufficient and convincing evidence, under policy normally you will only be granted a 3 to 12-month RRV. That means, if you need to travel to and/or from Australia after your 3 or 12-month RRV expires, you will have to submit a new RRV application with an updated set of evidence. If for any reasons you have been absent from Australia for more than 5 years prior to lodgement of your RRV application, you will be required to provide information regarding your absence and further evidence regarding your intention to remain a permanent resident in Australia.
Our services
SCA Connect is experienced in assisting our clients with collecting evidence and preparing for client statements where required that would ensure a smooth process and successful outcome of our clients’ RRV applications. We have successfully helped our clients get back their Australian permanent residency after they had been absent from Australia for nearly 10 years. If you would like to apply for your RRV and are not too sure about what evidence you would need to prepare for and submit to the Department of Home Affairs, please book a consultation with one of our experienced migration agents today.
Disclaimer: The information provided herein is of a general nature only and does not constitute immigration advice. For more detailed and case specific information or advice, please contact SCA Connect.
