LloydD Posted August 20, 2019 Share Posted August 20, 2019 Hi, I have a question in regards Resident Return Visa, unfortunately I have been blissfully living in a bubble and I was unaware of the travel facility expiry after 5 years. I recently got a new UK passport and when enquiring about moving my visa to the new passport I found out the travel facility expired in April. Problem is I have a short ten day holiday planned in 2 weeks. When I realised I quickly applied for a resident return visa on the 7th August, but the status of the application is still Received. I have tried calling the immigation department a number of times but they are unable to give any information on the status of the application or advise on travelling if I don't receive it in time. I'm getting a little nervous about what to do now as the date draws closer and I don't want to cancel my holiday. I was wondering is there is anything else I can do to speed things up or what I can do if it isn't approved in time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marisawright Posted August 20, 2019 Share Posted August 20, 2019 Unfortunately a holiday isn't really enough of an emergency for the department to give you special treatment (not that they often do anyway). I'm afraid you have two options - (1) see if you can change the dates for your holiday or (2) go on holiday but pack enough clothes for at least six months because if you leave the country without a RRV, you may be stuck overseas for a long time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulhand Posted August 20, 2019 Share Posted August 20, 2019 49 minutes ago, LloydD said: Hi, I have a question in regards Resident Return Visa, unfortunately I have been blissfully living in a bubble and I was unaware of the travel facility expiry after 5 years. I recently got a new UK passport and when enquiring about moving my visa to the new passport I found out the travel facility expired in April. Problem is I have a short ten day holiday planned in 2 weeks. When I realised I quickly applied for a resident return visa on the 7th August, but the status of the application is still Received. I have tried calling the immigation department a number of times but they are unable to give any information on the status of the application or advise on travelling if I don't receive it in time. I'm getting a little nervous about what to do now as the date draws closer and I don't want to cancel my holiday. I was wondering is there is anything else I can do to speed things up or what I can do if it isn't approved in time. Are you onshore and have you met the two years in the previous five years residence period? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LloydD Posted August 20, 2019 Author Share Posted August 20, 2019 Hi Paul, yes I am in Australia, just have a holiday planned. I meet the residency period, I've been here for 13 years and haven't left the country on holiday for about 5-6 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LloydD Posted August 20, 2019 Author Share Posted August 20, 2019 38 minutes ago, Marisawright said: Unfortunately a holiday isn't really enough of an emergency for the department to give you special treatment (not that they often do anyway). I'm afraid you have two options - (1) see if you can change the dates for your holiday or (2) go on holiday but pack enough clothes for at least six months because if you leave the country without a RRV, you may be stuck overseas for a long time. hmmm option (2) as much as I would love a long holiday, I'm not sure my australian children would appreciate that 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulhand Posted August 20, 2019 Share Posted August 20, 2019 Phone them and see if that can unglue whatever is stuck. If you meet the residency requirement, then you should get a very quick grant unless there is an issue of some sort. Did you complete the change in passport details properly would be my first port of call ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LloydD Posted August 20, 2019 Author Share Posted August 20, 2019 I called the general immi hotline, they says things look ok on my application. Before I made the application they told me to use my new passport number on the application which I did, and they said that I would probably not need to update the passport details for the visa if I filled out the RRV form. I rang again today and they gave me the email address of the department who I have now emailed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulhand Posted August 20, 2019 Share Posted August 20, 2019 Hopefully that will get sorted easily then. With the benefit of hindsight (and for others), better to update the currently held visa with the new information, allow that to register and then apply with new passport details. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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