Resident return visas are necessary for Australian permanent residents and who want to return to Australia. Only Australian citizens have an automatic right of entry to Australia.
This visa is for a person for whose travel validity period of their permanent visa has expired or is about to expire. This visa can be lodged either in or outside Australia.
Eligibility for an RRV
A person must be:
- an Australian permanent resident; or
- a former Australian permanent resident whose last permanent visa was not cancelled; or
- a former Australian Citizen who has lost or renounced citizenship.
There is no requirement to pass a health test but you will need to pass a Character Test.
With an RRV, you can leave and re-enter Australia visa allows a person to remain in Australia indefinitely and to leave and enter Australia as often as required, within the validity period of the visa, while maintaining their status as a permanent resident.
Generally an RRV will allow the holder to travel into Australia for up to five years from the date of grant.
To be granted a visa for five years, you must have lived in Australia as a permanent resident for at least two of the last five years. Alternatively, if you do not meet this residence requirement but you can demonstrate substantial ties of benefit (substantial cultural, employment, business, or personal ties) to Australia you may be eligible to be granted the visa for one year.
A family member cannot be included as a dependent for a Resident Return Visa but must make a separate application. This means they need to satisfy the primary criteria and they cannot be added as a ‘secondary applicant’ to your visa application. Any family members who will also be travelling outside of Australia will also require their own RRV and separate applications must be made for each person.
Review Rights
If you applied while you are in Australia and the visa application was refused, you have the right to have the decision reviewed by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
Applicants in Australia have review rights and must lodge the review application themselves.
Applicants outside Australia only have the right to seek a review if they have a parent, partner, child, brother or sister who is an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident. The application for review must be lodged by the Australian relative and cannot be lodged directly by the applicant.
At Migration Centre of Australia, we are well-trained to handle highly complex matters. Book one of our agents for professional advice by calling 02 4626 1002 or email us to book in a time at info@migrationcentreofaustralia.com.au. We also speak fluent Hindi, Nepalese, Punjabi, Turkish, Tamil, Portuguese and Marathi. If one of these isn’t your language, we can also help you arrange an interpreter.
