PR's Travelling Overseas

PR's Travelling Overseas

The basics...

As the name says – a person holding a permanent resident (PR) visa is permitted to stay in Australia indefinitely.  Your visa does not expire, unlike a temporary visa.  However, what does expire is the capacity to travel outside of Australia.  This is a temporary component and upon initial granting of your PR visa, you are given a 5 year travel period.
During these 5 years, you can come and go from Australia and upon returning stay as long as you like. But once those 5 years have passed, if you wish to travel again, or if you are overseas and want to return to Australia, you must have renewed your PR visa.  This new visa is called a Resident Return Visa (RRV).

If you do not hold a valid visa for re-entry to Australia you might be refused boarding onto your flight at the airport or have your entry into Australia delayed until your identity and claims to enter have been verified.
Ideally, as a permanent resident in Australia you should ensure your travel visa (PR or RRV) is still valid.  If it has expired, or close to it, it is highly recommended that you apply for your RRV whilst you are still in Australia.

If you migrated to Australia before 1987 or travelled overseas between 1 March 1976 and 31 December 1986, you could have been issued with an Authority to Return (ATR) or a Return Endorsement (RE).  If this is your case, you should not apply for any other visa because, if your application is approved, this will legally cease your Authority to Return or Return Endorsement.  Contact Great Australian Migration if you think this is your situation.

I’m overseas and my PR travel visa has expired… maybe I’ll just apply for an ETA or Visitor VISA to come back to Australia since it’s free?

Short answer…. No, don’t do this! 
Entering Australia on an ETA or visitor visa actually means that you have re-entered Australia for that purpose – not as a PR.  You will have no permission to work or study, it will affect any government benefits you may receive, no Medicare; and upon expiring, will leave you in Australia without a valid visa.  You must re-establish yourself as a PR by applying for a RRV – do this ASAP.  Entering as a visitor will also affect your time period towards applying for Citizenship.
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Applying for a Resident Return visA

You should apply for a Resident Return visa if any of the following apply to you:

• you are a current or former Australian PR and your last PR visa was not cancelled
• you were previously a citizen of Australia and have returned to PR status
• you want to return to Australia as a PR
• you are departing and might not return to Australia before your travel visa expires

You can apply for this visa before or after it has expired.  You can also apply for this visa both within Australia or once you are overseas.  It is highly recommended that you obtain your new RRV before you leave Australia.  The process for applying for this visa before you depart is much easier and processes faster.  Lodging whilst overseas could leave you stranded overseas for longer than you expected, should there be any issues.
Apply online through ImmiAccount - Visa fee $475 AUD.
If you can’t apply online, a paper form can be filled but it will cost more - Visa fee $555 AUD.
Great Australian Migration can assist you with applying; the service fee will be determined based on any outlying issues you may have.  Starting price is $300 AUD.

5 YEar RRV, 12 month rrv or 3 month rrv? 

Check which one of these applies to your case:

1. If you were living in Australia for a total period of at least 2 years over the last 5 years as a PR visa holder or as a previous Australian citizen, then you meet what is known as the ‘residence requirement’ and you will be granted with 5 years.  This visa should be granted quickly – within 5 working days!
2. If you have not met the ‘residence requirement’ but have demonstrated you have substantial ties with Australia, then you should be granted with a period of 12 months.  And in the most extreme circumstances, 3 months.  This visa will take much longer to process – possibly 3 months or more!  Another reason to apply from within Australia if you can.
   
   

If you do not meet the requirements, it’s best you contact Great Australian Migration to help you with your application.
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Transferring your visa details to your new passport

If you have been given a new passport, your visa remains valid but is still connected to your old passport.  You must provide your new passport details to the Department of Home Affairs for the visa information to be updated. This is not automatically done.  You might be able to update this online using your ImmiAccount. If you are having troubles with ImmiAccount, you can complete Form 929 – Change of address and/or passport details (193KB PDF) ​and return the form by post to the Department. There is no fee for this service.

Other important information - ​​​Incoming Passenger Card

People arriving into Australia (visa holders or citizens) must complete a Passenger Card.  It is an official document that identifies the person entering the country and their declaration regarding their health, character and declarable items. Failure to complete the card can lead to fines and possible visa cancellation.
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Completing an incoming passenger card

When answering questions on the front about items you are bringing into Australia, if you are in doubt, it is best you tick ‘yes’.  This will allow you to speak with an officer who can check the item/s and confirm if it’s OK to pass. If not, the item may be taken from you for processing or destruction; but the main thing is you should not face any penalties.  This applies even to items you brought from Australia to take with you overseas and then return.   https://www.abf.gov.au/entering-and-leaving-australia/can-you-bring-it-in

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Great Australian Migration is here to assist you with all your visa and citizenship needs.  Reach out to receive service that is personalised for you...

CONTACT GREAT AUSTRALIAN MIGRATION