Guest Ska Posted October 26, 2011 Share Posted October 26, 2011 Hi all, Hoping someone can help me. I have been a PR residing in Australia for the last 11 years, but only having residency for the last 6 years. In previous trips back to the UK I have not had to worry about a RRV as I was covered for unlimited travel under my original visa. So when my grandmother suddenly died, I didn't give a second thought to booking my flight over to stay for three weeks to attend the funeral. It was only when I reached heathrow to come home that they informed me that I wouldn't be allowed back in Australia as my unlimited travel ran out in May! I ended up getting a 3 month E-visa at the airport and travelled no worries and had no problems entering Australia. I now assume that as I am back in australia that there will be no further issues? I can't find any information on the net about this situation, but as I will be applying for citizenship soon I want to make sure that there is nothing I should be doing to ensure that the two visas I currently hold will not cause any issues. Can anyone give any advice? Thanks in advance. Cheers, Christina Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pintpot Posted October 26, 2011 Share Posted October 26, 2011 I don't want to worry you unduly but have a read of this: http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/migration-issues/128670-permanent-residency-taken-away.html Recommend you speak to a professional migration agent asap Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lebourvellec Posted October 26, 2011 Share Posted October 26, 2011 I don't want to worry you unduly but have a read of this: http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/migration-issues/128670-permanent-residency-taken-away.html Recommend you speak to a professional migration agent asap This person had never validated their visa, or lived in Australia, therefore no right to appeal. You can check VEVO for visa status. http://www.immi.gov.au/managing-australias-borders/compliance/working-legally/evo-for-visa-holders.htm I would seek professional advice quickly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pintpot Posted October 26, 2011 Share Posted October 26, 2011 Sorry, my mistake - hadn't read that thread properly, having reviewed it I can see you're right Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peach Posted October 26, 2011 Share Posted October 26, 2011 I disagree that all is well. if you can apply for an ETA to re-enter Australia, what is the point of the RRV? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex2010 Posted October 26, 2011 Share Posted October 26, 2011 Hi, If you lived 2 years out of the last 5 as a PR in Australia, it should't be a problem to obtain a RRV. However, do it quickly. You should be aware that you must be living in Australia as a PR at least 9 mths out of last 12 mths immediately before you apply for a citizenship. You must also be residing some time legally in australia in the last 4 years before applying - check DIAC website for details. Therefore, if have lost your PR by obtaining a diferrent visa, it may affect your eligibility to a citizenship. Alex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rudi Posted October 26, 2011 Share Posted October 26, 2011 My assumption would be that as you entered Australia on a tourist visa, that you are bound by the conditions of that visa. Therefore if you are working, you may be doing so illegally. If you stay beyond the 3 months, then you could be kicked out of Australia. I would check out your status immediately! If you have met the requirements to get a RRV then hopefully you should be fine, but I would get this sorted! Is it possible to hold two visas? Your PR visa may have been cancelled when you applied for a tourist visa. Love Rudi x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ska Posted October 26, 2011 Share Posted October 26, 2011 Well after a horrific night thinking that I may be deported, I have spoken to immigration this morning and it seems this is not uncommon. The woman I spoke to didn't seem to think that there would be an issue getting a RRV and I have applied for one online this morning. I have lived continuously in Australia since 2006 and it did seem odd to me that given I flew at such short notice on compassionate grounds that they would just revoke a PR that easily for such a mistake. Thankfully that doesn't seem to be the case. I will keep you updated on the visa application as this may be useful for others in future. Cheers, Christina. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rudi Posted October 26, 2011 Share Posted October 26, 2011 That's great news Christina! I am glad it seems to be getting sorted out so easily for you. Love Rudi x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wrussell Posted October 26, 2011 Share Posted October 26, 2011 From what you have posted, you do not have a problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wrussell Posted October 26, 2011 Share Posted October 26, 2011 I disagree that all is well. if you can apply for an ETA to re-enter Australia, what is the point of the RRV? An ETA would be a good way of killing the PR visa, which would otherwise be OK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ska Posted October 27, 2011 Share Posted October 27, 2011 Hi again, Happy outcome Just so everyone knows for the future, or any other poor soul who has just been through what I have been through... YES, you can only hold one visa at a time, however if you forget to get a resident return visa and end up having to re-enter Australia on a tourist visa then it doesn't simply just cancel out your PR. It just means that you have to apply for a resident return visa when you get back. This can be done very easily online at the immigration site. I was also confused about whether I needed to provide supporting documentation considering I have lived here since 2001 and have remained here for the entire time, I thought that was a bit silly. The website isn't very clear on this. However, as it turns out if you have lived in Australia for 2 of the 5 years prior then no supporting docs are generally necessary. So in the end... I applied for the RRV online this morning and have just checked on VEVO to see that the RRV has been granted - with no questions asked or further info required. The immigration people were lovely, and were so different to the kind of people I dealt with when originally getting my PR - it seems they have lifted their customer service game quite a lot! Also the RRV was granted in less than 8 hours. So as it turns out there wasnt much to worry about. I got the impression from immigration staff that this is common, which is also the feedback I got at Heathrow when they issued my e-visa - even telling me that I can get a refund in Australia as I am a permanent resident (not that I needed to because she didn't charge me for it in the end!) .. Which is why I wasn't that worried... Until I came on here!!!! Anyway, just glad that the last 16 hours of terror is over Cheers, Christina. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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