Hi all,
Background:
457 Granted 31.01.2005
Arrived in Oz 04.03.2005
856 Granted 18.12.2007
Left Oz 01.06.2012 (Transfer within BMW Group back to UK)
856 Expired 18.12.2012
We now want to return to Australia and have read through the form 1085 and have a few queries.
1. Is there a time limit on when you have to enter Australia after the visa is granted ?
2. Question 31 on the form "Do you have any substantial business, cultural, employment or personal ties with Australia which are of benefit to Australia? Answer - NO. I am applying for jobs in Oz while in the UK but getting responses stating they are happy to talk to me once I am IN Oz. When talking to the call centre at Australia house, i was told without a job offer it would be difficult to get this visa - chicken and egg scenario......
3. Q34 "Have you been absent from Australia for a continuous period of 5 years or more immediately before lodging this application? Answer - NO, but from June 1st this year, YES. Is this likely to cause me an issue if we can't apply until after June ? Also, I will be 52 in July, could this also go against me ? And lastly on this question, what is the relevance of 5 years, it is asked in Q29, Q34, Q36 and Q37?
4. Q39 "Did you have a compelling and compassionate reason for last departing Australia? I would have said YES given it was a transfer within the BMW but also a chance of a lifetime to which I have supporting documentation.
So, sorry for the lengthy post, hopefully there's some experience out there that can help and guide me here.
Many thanks
Colin