Being a permanent resident in Australia means you don’t have to worry about a visa. However, you can lose your visa and permanent resident status if you spend too much time outside Australia. As long as you remain in the country, your permanent residency never expires and remains valid until the day of your death. There’s no need to apply for another visa as long as you don’t plan to leave and re-enter Australia. This is where the Resident Return Visa (RRV) comes into play.
Resident Return Visa (RRV)
If you wish to continue traveling, you need to apply for a Resident Return Visa (RRV) after your first 5 years of permanent residency. This doesn’t mean you need one to leave Australia, but it will be difficult to return without it. You can also apply for the RRV from outside Australia if you leave the country without one.
If your 5 years expire while you are abroad, or you leave after your travel facility expires, you won’t have a visa to return to Australia. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t regain it.
Regaining Your Visa
You can regain it, but there’s a catch. You must meet the requirements to be eligible for the RRV. You can apply for an RRV even after your 5-year travel facility has expired.
To apply for an RRV, you must meet the following criteria:
- Have spent 730 days in Australia as a permanent resident in the last 5 years.
- The 730 days in Australia do not need to be consecutive and are automatically calculated by the Department of Immigration.
Generally, the RRV is granted quickly if you meet the 730-day requirement. Most issues arise when an applicant cannot return to Australia before their initial 5-year travel facility expires and, for various reasons, cannot meet the 730-day requirement. If you don’t meet this basic 730-day requirement, the RRV application process becomes complicated.
Avoiding These Issues
To avoid this situation, apply for Australian citizenship if you are eligible. Once you become an Australian citizen, you won’t need to meet any more travel requirements. However, many countries do not allow dual citizenship, such as China, Japan, Singapore, etc., so choose your option based on your circumstances.
Another reason you might lose your visa and permanent residency is if it is canceled. For more details, visit “Visa Cancellation in Australia.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you have lost your permanent resident status and cannot return to Australia, or you are about to leave the country for an extended period and may not be able to return within your 5-year travel facility, don’t hesitate to contact our team of expert Australian migration agents to facilitate your return.
