Hey there. we have been living in Australia for 3 years on a perm res visa, had to visit Aus to validate visa as house sale in UK fell through, then returned to live as we are now. Returing to the Uk for 3 weeks for family holiday, do we have to sort anything out with the visa to return to aus after hols? Have been told different things and would like to clear it up before going away next june....Cheers, Pete

What does it say on your visa label about the re-entry facility?

says "multiple travel. must not arrive after 11may11 holders permitted to remain in australia indefinitely" Pete

So as long as you will be back in Aus before 11/5/2011 you need do nothing, that visa, and your passport of course, will allow you back into Australia.
After that date if you have not taken up citizenship then you will need to apply for a Residents Return Visa (RRV), before you leave.

Isn't your answer right there?


Are you planning to take out Australian citizenship? If so, you should apply now, if eligible - you will then probably have it sometime in 2010 and you will not need to pay for Resident Return Visas ($260 per person).

Now is also the time to check your passports are valid, note that some countries you will transit through refuse to accept any passport with less than 6 months remaining. So if passports expire before 2011, now is the time to renew them ...