Jockstar

Ok guys/girls, need some advice. My PR visa in my passport runs out in April this year. Not a problem if i am in the country. Yes? Come October i will have been here for 2 years. I want to apply for citizenship. But not sure how long it will take. The wife and i want to go back to Thailand in Decmber for a holiday for a month. So if i apply for citizenship in October, can i leave the country? Also , as my visa will have expired and maybe i wouldnt have citizenship by December. How easy will it be for me to get a return resident visa? Your thoughts and opinions needed. Thanks in advance.

Pollyana

Personally I think an RRV would be the way to go at first - you've been living here and have ties to Australia, you'll get a RRV with no problems. If you apply for citizenship however there is no guarantee of how long it will take, plus you will then need to apply for an Aussie passport to travel on.

I'd say get a RRV for now and do the citizenship thing when you get back.

JAJ

I'd get an RRV right now. If he is living and working in Australia he ought to have no problem getting a 5 year RRV based on "substantial ties".

He can apply for citizenship in October. Going to Thailand on vacation in December shouldn't cause any issues so no real reason to delay that until he gets back.

Jockstar

So lets get this straight. I can apply for a RRV now even although i have only been in the country 16 months?
I can apply for citizenship in October and then go over seas for a month and have no problem?

Wendy

Yes, that's right

Form here: http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/1085.pdf

Jockstar

If you are in Australia you dont have to fill out this form


So what do it do? Just go down to DIMA?

Wendy

You can apply online, by mail or in person. If you apply in person make sure you have all the documents you need. List here: http://www.immi.gov.au/migrants/_pdf/155-Checklist.pdf

More info on a RRV here: http://www.immi.gov.au/migrants/residents/155/index.htm

Pollyana

My sister in law had to get a RRV earlier this year from DIAC in Brisbane - she is on a Canadian passport - she said it was very very easy, turned up at the DIAC office with her passport and other required documents and was out again in about half an hour.