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Resident Return Visa Secured Despite Only 20 Days in Australia Over 5 Years

Visa TypeResident Return Visa
CategoryResident Return

Case Summary

An applicant was refused a Resident Return Visa having spent only 20 days in Australia in the preceding five years. We successfully demonstrated substantial employment and personal ties to Australia, particularly the applicant's significant consultancy role with a state-owned corporation and strong family connections.

Background

Our client had spent only 20 days in Australia out of the past five years, leading to a refusal of his Resident Return Visa application. Despite the extremely limited physical presence, the applicant maintained meaningful ties to Australia that we argued were sufficient to justify the grant of the visa.

Challenges

  • Only 20 days spent in Australia in the previous five years — an extremely limited physical presence
  • Demonstrating substantial and beneficial ties to Australia despite the near-total absence
  • Establishing that the employment and personal ties were genuine and of benefit to Australia

How We Helped

We argued that the applicant had substantial employment and personal ties to Australia that were of genuine benefit to the country. In particular, we highlighted his crucial consultancy involvement with a state-owned corporation, which demonstrated ongoing professional engagement with Australia. We also emphasised the applicant's significant family ties to Australia.

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Key Success Factors

  • Identification of the applicant's consultancy role with a state-owned corporation as a key tie of benefit to Australia
  • Evidence of significant family connections to Australia maintained throughout the period of absence
  • Compelling argument that the quality and nature of ties outweighed the limited physical presence
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Outcome

The review was successful and the matter was remitted to the Department for reconsideration.

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