View source for Resident Return Visa-Australia

A '''Resident Return Visa''' (RRV) allows permanent residents of Australia to leave Australia and re-enter as a permanent resident.  Migration visas normally have a 5 year re-entry facility attached.  After this time, you need a Resident Return Visa to travel, if you are not an Australian citizen.

It is strongly recommended to have a valid passport and Resident Return Visa at all times, in case you need to travel urgently.

==General rules==

* Eligibility is explained on the the DHA website [https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/trav/visa-1/155-]

* If you have spent ''a total of'' 2 years in Australia as a permanent resident (730 days in the last 5 years) then as long as your details are on DHA systems, you can get a 5 year multiple entry RRV online.

* You should not leave Australia without a valid RRV.  If you do, there may be options to get a visa to allow you to return but it's a lot more difficult and in certain circumstances you could be stranded offshore.

* Former Australian citizens may also qualify for an RRV

* The application fee is A$410, ''per person'' (at June 2022). It is not possible to "combine" applications for a single fee.

* '''Rules could be changed anytime.''' They would not revoke valid RRVs, but it could become a lot harder to get a new one.

==Concessional 1 year RRV==

* If you don't have 2 years in Australia, but can demonstrate substantial ties of benefit to Australia you may be eligible to be granted the visa for one year.

* If you're '''living in Australia''' you should have few problems to show substantial ties.  Your job, home, medical insurance, children in school, relatives in Australia, etc. all count.

* If you're living overseas it's more difficult.  But you should normally be able to show substantial ties if you have ties such as:
** Australian citizen spouse
** Australian citizen dependent children
** If employed by an Australian corporation and sent overseas.
** Visits to Australia
** Property held in Australia
** Close family in Australia
** Any other evidence that shows that Australia is your "home" and your absence is temporary.

* ''"5 year absence rule"'' is applied differently if you apply onshore or offshore.
** If offshore, and you have continually held a permanent visa, you are ok provided no more than 5 years has passed since most recent departure from Australia.  For this purpose, short visits to Australia are ok.
** If offshore, and you last left Australia as a temporary resident, you must have spent a total of 5 years in Australia in the last 10 years.
** If onshore, you are ok as long as you did not spend a continuous period of 5 years or more outside Australia since your last permanent visa was granted.

* If you don't meet the "5 year absence rule" then you need to show "compelling" reasons for your absence.  These are a lot more difficult to demonstrate.

==Family members==

* If you get a 1 year or 5 year RRV, your spouse and dependent children may also get an RRV with validity up to one year.

* Of course, they may qualify for an RRV in their own right.

* Be careful, if you are in different countries then DHA may not consider that there is a continuing spouse relationship.

==3 month RRV==

* A 3 month RRV is also available for emergency situations.  You apply for it at the same time as the 5 year RRV, and if refused the 5 year visa, they will look at your eligibility for the 3 month RRV.

* Contrary to myth, the 3 month RRV is not a "consolation prize" if you don't get the 5 year RRV.

* The requirements for the 3 month RRV are:
** you've spent 1 day in the last 5 years in Australia;
** you had compelling AND compassionate reasons for your departure from Australia
** if absent for more than 3 months, you have compelling and compassionate reasons for your continued absence.

* It is not an easy visa to obtain

==Australian Citizenship - Spouses & Partners with Permanent Visas==

* If you are the spouse or partner of an Australian citizen '''and have a permanent visa''', time outside Australia may count for Australian citizenship provided you maintain a "close and continuing association" with Australia.  

* Normally, under current policy, DIAC will expect a total of 1 year's residence in the 4 years prior to application, including at least 3 months as a permanent resident.

* If the permanent visa was granted offshore, you must have validated it.

* The citizenship process (ceremony, test, etc) can be done offshore.

* Once you become an Australian citizen, you don't then need an RRV.  [http://www.citizenship.gov.au/applying/how_to_apply/spouse Australian Citizenship - Spouses]


[[Category:Australia]]
[[Category:Australian Immigration]]