help required

[middy]

Hi all,

just wondering if someone could help me out with the following question?

If we apply for permanent residency and we come back to the uk how long have we got to get back to oz so the visa doesnt get cancelled? not planning on coming back but you never know if you need to stay for a couple of months would this be allowed?

Also how long have you got to have been living in oz before you can apply for citizenship, I know its around 4 years but surely you are allowed to go on holidays out of oz in them 4 years, is this correct?

Any info much appreciated.

Amanda

[Laura G]

Hi Amanda,

Once your Visa is issued and you make your 1st entry to Oz it is validated, the Visa is not cancelled just because it is not in use.

Once you arrive in Oz, if you go back out for any reason, holidays etc, the time you are out of Oz does not count towards your 4 years.

For example I have a Perm Visa, I landed in March06, but went back to the UK for 4 weeks in Sept07, therfore I am not allowed to proceed to my Citizenship until April08

The new 4 year deal does not apply to me as I arrived before the change was considered.

Laura