Hi Everyone,
I currently live in the UK. I was granted a 175 Independent Visa in October 2012 which is valid until October 2017. I made a short 10 day visit to Australia in November 2012 to validate the 'first visit within a year' requirement.
I had plans to move to Australia the following year but met a girl and it all got a bit serious and eventually got married to her in August 2014.
We both want to move to Australia before October 2017 but have a few things to sort out in the UK career-wise.
I have a few questions regarding the situation :
1. My research has suggested that I can move to Australia pretty much any day I want until Oct 2017 expiry. However, if I left Australia after October 2017, I would be required to apply for a RRV. If I haven't been in the country for 2 years, I believe I can apply for a 3 month RRV which requires me to have been in Aus for a day in the last 5 years and show commitment to living in Aus. I have my brother and his family living in Australia and if the 3 month RRV situation was to occur, I would (hopefully) have a job and a residential address in Australia. Would this be sufficient to show commitment to qualify for a 3 month RRV? (My Wife wants us to visit the UK possibly for a couple of weeks every year and return.)
2. Could my wife apply for a partner visa before I arrive in Aus and move there together or would I require to move to Australia first and stay there for a specific time before she can apply?
3. If we decide to move to Australia in June 2017, before my visa expires in October 2017, and make a three week visit prior to that in February 2016, would I be let back in June 2017? My understanding is that until October 2017 I can come and go as I please, without a RRV. Please correct me if I am wrong.
4. The 5 Year RRV that will be granted if I have lived in Australia for a continuous period of 2 years : Does this mean entire 2 years? 365 + 365? Or is there a leeway; for example, I could've been out of the country for a couple of weeks each year which would be ignored?
5. I am also in the process of applying for British Permanent Residency, as I have lived in the UK for 10 years as of this year. I hope this isn't going to effect my Australian PR or Vise-versa. From what I have read, you can hold multiple residencies in different countries. Does anyone know if this is in fact the case?
6. I would be eligible for British Citizenship next year, if I apply for British Citizenship, would that have an effect on my 175 Visa?
Thank you so much for taking time to read and answer my questions. It's greatly appreciated!
Best Regards,
V