miki000

It's ONE year as PR out of 4 total. As far as I know this won't matter, because you were allowed to be out of the country that much, but the best thing you can do is to call them. The number ending in 881, the citizenship one - very different from the visa one. They answer and they are nice and knowledgeable.

Thanks, will try to ring that number. It's good to know it's different from the VISA one.

Miquel

Hi all,

I am currently a permanent resident in SA, close to the end of my second year as PR. Before I gained the PR I had been on a student visa for 3 months and before that, on another student visa for 20 months, but with a 2 months gap in between, during which, I went back to my home country.

I know the residence requirement for citizenship: 4 years since first entry, 2 years as PR, no more than 12 months out of OZ during the 4 years period and no more than 90 days in the last year.

I will meet all these requirements soon, as I got my first student visa 4 years ago, I have lived in Australia for the last four years, have been out of the country for 4 months in total and only 20 days during last year. However, between my first and second student visa, I have a 2 months gap where I had no valid visa and was out of the country. Does that affect the calculation? I couldn't find the answer on the department's website. Can any "expert" shed some light?

regards,

Miquel

You say you arrived on a tourist visa but then you refer to a student visa as well. What visa have you been on for the last two years, it is quite relevant.

Sorry for the lack of explanation, we came on a tourist visa and then arranged our student visa from here. SO we arrived on a eVisitor (3 months) and after 1 month we got a student visa for 20 months, expiring now.

regards,

Miquel

I posted the same question in a sister forum, I am posting it here again for a broader audience.

Hi everyone,

We are a family of 5 that 2 years ago came to Adelaide on a tourist visa, our visa expires in 1 month and, though we have all requirements to apply for skilled visa 190, we will not have our skills assessment ready for then. We don't want to apply for another student visa to extend our stay so are thinking of flying back to Europe and wait there till the paperwork is ready. Then, we plan to come back on a free 3 months visitor visa (eVisitor) and finish the application here. We will probably be out of Australia for 2 months. Does anyone see an issue with that? Is it likely that we are denied entry as tourist just because we had a student visa two months ago? Is there any issue with stating that you come for tourism and arrange a permanent residence while here?

Thanks in advance for your future answers.

miki