FrankiePankie

Sorry just spotted your question Beach_Bum_Forever, probably too late to help with your question but for anyone else needing to know, I phoned the AU number on the website. The advisor on the other end of the phone was very efficient and knowledgeable. See below: From within Australia Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm AEST (or AWST for clients in Western Australia) Be aware that Mondays are our peak days for calls and you may need to wait longer to speak to an operator. Telephone: 131 881

Just to update for anyone finding themselves in a similar situation in the future: RRV app submitted 05/12/2018 DOI contacted to advise of bereavement, expedited processing requested - 07/12/2018 Bereavement evidence and cover letter submitted to immi account - 08 & 09/12/2018 RRV granted for 12 months - 10/12/2018 My advice would be to phone the DOI and plead your case. Follow their instructions and hopefully the turnaround will similar to the above.

HI Paul, Thanks so much for your reply. Since posting, my Gran passed away on Friday, so I called up the DOI to see what could be done about my application and bridging visas etc. Agent at other end of phone advised bridging visa would cancel my current PR visa (!!??) and that there is a process in place for expedited processing of RRV for bereavement - he has sent a form to processing dept advising of bereavement pertaining to my application and the need for priority processing. I have uploaded proof of bereavement (confirmation from funeral directors of date of funeral) and a cover letter restating the circumstances around the need for expedited rrv (uploaded to immi account application). I am waiting on the outcome in order to book flights, so am contemplating just turning up at the Perth office later today to see if I can talk to someone face to face and push it along a bit....... Any further advices/input etc gladly and gratefully received.

Okay, so here's the background.......our Permanent Residency (Subclass 190) was granted in December 2013. We arrived in Perth January 2014. Family illness (in-laws) prompted us to return to UK, May 2014. Bereavement and life with three teenagers prevented us returning till June of this year (2018). So here we are back in Perth, I have a job (casual retail whilst I look for something more permanent and in line with my qualifications/experience etc.), Hubby is self-employed muso slowly building up his gigs etc. Youngest in High School, two oldest working. My siblings (and families) and my parents are all either Australian Citizens or long-term Permanent Residents (and living here in Perth). So, here's where it gets a little complicated. Travel facility on PR ran out yesterday. Sadly, it would appear that I will need to return to the UK in the very near future to attend the funeral of a much loved family member. I am now in the process of applying for the return residents visa. I don't qualify for the 2 years residence requirement (our residence totals 10 months in the last 5 years) but I believe the above demonstrates significant personal ties? I have provided a copy of my employment contract for casual retail position, our lease for our home, my membership of a local arts organisation, my international movement record, scanned copies of my parents Australian Citizenship Certificates and my birth certificate.......do I need to include anything else? My husband and children will be remaining here in Australia whilst I go back for the funeral, so I am only submitting documents to prove my ties..... Also, can I get the RRV application fast tracked for compassionate reasons? I believe I need to apply for a bridging visa as the rrv can take a very long time to process, can the bridging visa be fast tracked? Time is of the essence. I hadn't anticipated needing to travel out of Australia for some time, so this has taken me a little unawares. All input gratefully received.