Although your permanent visa lets you live in Australia indefinitely, it only allows you to travel overseas and return for 5 years. If you want to travel overseas after your permanent visa has expired, you have to obtain a Resident Return Visa.
You have to complete Form 1085 and submit with all support documents either via post or your ImmiAccount to apply for this visa. This article explains how to Renew Australian Permanent Resident Visa.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Permanent Resident Visa
– Definition, Features
2. Why Do You Need to Renew Australian Permanent Resident Visa
– Travel Facility, Expiry of Permanent Resident Visa
3. How to Renew Australian Permanent Resident Visa
– Step by Step Process
What is Permanent Resident Visa
A permanent resident visa is a visa that grants a person the legal right to live in a country permanently. But a permanent resident is not a citizen and has fewer rights than a citizen. More importantly, a permanent resident of a country is typically a person who immigrates to that country from another country. However, a permanent resident can apply for citizenship after living in that country for a specific amount of time. In Australia, a person can apply for citizenship 5 years after the grant of the permanent resident visa.
Why Do You Need to Renew Australian Permanent Resident Visa
Permanent residency visa allows you to stay in Australia indefinitely. However, this visa allows you to travel in and out of Australia for a period of 5 years from the date of grant, which is called the International Travel Facility. This travel facility expires after 5 years from the date you obtained permanent resident status. This is why you need to renew Australian Permanent Resident Visa. If you want to travel overseas after your travel facility has expired, then you have to apply for a Subclass 155 Resident Return Visa (RRV).
How to Renew Australian Permanent Resident Visa
Renewing an Australian Permanent Resident Visa means obtaining a Resident Return Visa. This is a travel facility for current Australian permanent residents, some former Australian permanent residents as well as some former Australian citizens. You can renew Australian Permanent Resident Visa by following the below steps.
Check Your Current Permanent Residency Status
Check the travel facility on your permanent residency visa. You only need to apply if
- the travel facility has ended or is about to end, and
- you want to travel overseas and return as a permanent resident.
Also, check whether you have a valid passport
2. Gather the Necessary Documents
If you have spent at least two of the last five years in Australia as an Australian permanent resident or citizen, you don’t need to submit any other document.
- If you do not meet the above requirement, you need to submit documents to show that you have personal, cultural, business and/or employment ties in Australia.
- You may also have to submit documents regarding your identity and character.
3. Apply for RRV
You can apply online or on paper.
Online
Online applications are processed through ImmiAccount. You can create an ImmiAccount here. When you have accessed the ImmiAccount, create a New application and then select Resident Return > Resident Return Visa (155, 157).
Post
Complete the Form 1085 — Application for a Resident Return visa. Mail this form with all supporting documents to
Department of Home Affairs
Resident Return Visa Application
GPO Box 9984
SYDNEY NSW 2001
AUSTRALIA
You can also courier the duly filled form and support documents to
Department of Home Affairs
Resident Return Visa Application
26 Lee Street
SYDNEY NSW 2000
AUSTRALIA
If you forgot to send all the information and documents or want to make changes to what you have already submitted, you can send them as soon as you can. You might be also asked to provide additional information.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Virgin Australia Airbus A330-200 SYD Li Pang” By Li Pang – (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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