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This visa could be for you if you are a retiree, have a partner and want to spend some of your retirement years in Australia. A Retirement Visa is not for new or first-time visa applicants other than newly acquired partners of existing or former Retirement Visa holders.
In general, if you have an existing Retirement visa, you will be able to apply for a visa which is valid for 10 years and will not have any restrictions on your work hours.
If you are a former Retirement visa holder and have not held another substantive visa since your Retirement visa ceased, you and your partner may (depending on your individual situation, please contact a Migration Agent for individual advice) also apply for this type of visa.
A Retirement visa allows you to leave and re-enter Australia at any time, work in Australia and undertake study while in Australia. This visa has unlimited work rights allowing you to work full time while in Australia. But this type of visa is only a temporary entry visa and you do not become a permanent resident or a citizen of Australia.
Example requirements for a Retirement Visa
- You are 55 years of age or over;
- Your Retirement visa is still valid;
- You are the partner of a recently deceased Retirement visa applicant;
- You and your partner are not required to undergo medical examination unless you travelled to a country where there is tuberculosis or you had exposure to other public health risk conditions – if you have either one, you will have medical treatment instead of a visa refusal;
- You must meet character requirements – you will be required to submit an up to date Australian Federal Police clearance and a renewed police clearance if you have returned from a country you have resided for at least 12 months;
- You must provide evidence that you have maintained health insurance during your previous stay in Australia and that you currently have an adequate health insurance – you must ensure that the insurance you have takes into account your individual needs;
- You must have sufficient funds and must be self-supporting while in Australia;
- You must respect Australian values and obey the laws of Australia – you are required to sign a declaration with regard to this when you complete an application form.
How do you Apply for a Retirement Visa (Generally)
As previously discussed, you may only apply for a rollover of your Retirement Visa. This can be done whether you are in Australia or outside Australia. To make a valid application, you must send your application form and supporting documents to the nearest Immigration Office in your area.
First thing you have to do is complete Form 147, Application for a Temporary Residence Visa (non-business). Then you pay the appropriate visa application charge which is currently approx. AUD265.00. Payment must be by bank cheque or money order. You must prepare all your supporting documents such as evidence that you have a current and continuous comprehensive health insurance. A certified copy of your passport bio-data page with your photo must be submitted – do not include your original passport. You must also include a certified copy of any change in name, like a marriage certificate or deed poll; a certified copy of any change in marital status, like a marriage certificate, divorce papers or death certificate.
You do not need to undergo medical examination prior to lodging your application. If this will be required, your case officer will notify you in writing. You must also include a completed Travel outside Australia Form, an AFP National Police Check and an original Police Clearance from any country that you have spent 12 months or more for the past 10 years. Penal certificates and Police Checks are only valid for 12 months from the date they are issued.
For advice for your personal situation, please contact a Migration Agent.
After you lodge your Application
You may be asked to provide additional information after you have lodged your application. You must submit this document within a specified period of time.
If a visa is granted, you will receive a letter from the Department advising you that your Retirement visa is approved and providing details of any conditions placed on your visa.
If a visa is not granted, the Department will send you a letter advising the reasons for the refusal. The letter will also include information on how to ask for a review of the decision by the Migration Review Tribunal.
Once you are granted a Retirement Visa, you must ensure that you comply with your visa validity and conditions while in Australia. If there is a breach of these conditions, you visa may be cancelled and you may have to leave Australia.
References:
http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/retirement/410
http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/health-requirements
http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/character-requirements
http://www.afp.gov.au/what-we-do/police-checks/national-police-checks.aspx
http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/147.pdf
http://www.mrt-rrt.gov.au
