Hi all,

Can I kindly get clarification over a visa please? I don't know why but my brain turns to mush when it comes to dealing with these things!

I arrived in Aus on a RRV on anout 5 months ago, (after the spouce PR visa expired). The 1 year RRV tgst I came in on expired in January. I will need to return to the UK to tie up loose ends soon. So I understand I apply for another RRV via my Immi account yes? Do I wait for this to be approved before I think about booking a flight? I remember that RRV that I applied for in the UK took 2 to 3 months to come through. I presume if I leave this country without a visa I might have a job getting back in!!!
Any help very much appreciated thanks

Yes, apply for another RRV.

Yes. if it were me, I'd wait until it's approved before booking flights.

Yes, if you leave without an RRV, and for some reason it is not granted, you will not be able to return.

Thanks for the reply.

I will wait as you suggest before booking a flight then yes. Is it the done thing then when you move to Aus to renew the RRV each year until you have been here long enough to apply for citizenship then?

If you have been in Australia for 2 years in the last 5, then a 5 year RRV is issued.

My son went straight from initial visa to citizenship.

I needed to travel around that time so applied for and received a 5 year RRV, and did citizenship a couple of years later.

The 5 year one is instant or within a few days at most. Automatic. If you haven’t spent the 2 in 5 years here then the one year visa does take much longer and is not automatic.
I would apply for the RRV asap.

Thanks guys for your replies. I haven't spent 2 years here so I guess it will be the 1 year RRV to apply for ASAP. Is the 2 year period pretty much fixed do you know ie do they apply the same rule to all? I am thinking is there any point at all trying to apply for the 5 year or is that a waste of time and money! Thanks again

yes it is fixed. You just apply for the RRV and input your details online. If you meet the 2 in 5 rule it will grant the 5 year visa.
If you don’t meet it additional questions pop up and you need to provide additional evidence to back up your strong ties.

Hi
Thanks for your help with my original question. I thought I might update you to say I have received the grant today for a 1 year RRV but it didn't take long at all, just 16 days all in. Thanks again.

That’s great and faster than I expected

Once I passed the needed 730 days I reapplied for the RRV and got 5 years within a couple of weeks