How long do yo have to leave Oz between visits to renew visa?

by Sharon Petherbridge
(Winchester, UK)

You say in your 'About me' section that every 6 months you left Australia and went to Timor, Bali, South Africa and then returned and renewed your visitors visa.

However, how long do you have to be out of Australia in order to return and renew? Is there a minimum amount of time you must be out of the country?

My husband and I live in the UK and are retiring next year. Our long term dream has been to buy a camper van and travel Australia, NZ, USA, Canada and South Africa.

If we left Australia after 6 months travel and went to NZ how soon could we return to Australia and start again with a new visitors visa. How often will the Immigration Service let you do this?

If we could wave a wand we would like to womble the World for about 20 years!
Many thanks for any help you can give. We are struggling to find any help/guidance on the web about what we want to do.
Thanks and best wishes Sharon

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How long do yo have to leave Oz between visits to renew visa?

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Multiple entry visas for Australia
by: Birgit

Hi Sharon,
To the best of my knowledge there is no restriction or minimum time. Theoretically, as long as it takes to fly out and back.

To leave Australia you have to fly. That is a considerable expense so most people will want to spend some time at the destination to make it worthwhile.

How long you can do it depends on your visa conditions. When I did this there was the option to get a 6 month, multiple entry tourist visa valid for four years. (Come and go as often as you like within the next 4 years, each stay no longer than 6 months).

I don't know if that option still exists. And you need a good reason why you would need to travel to Australia regularly.

If that option or something comparable still exists, then you just need to explain to the immigration officer why you are doing what you are doing and you will likely need to show how you are able to finance it all, since under that visa you are not allowed to work.

But if you are rich and want to spend all your money as a tourist in Australia, I don't think they will try to stop you...

And if you leave some time between your visits nobody will ask any questions.

I mean, you can leave and just get a new visa to come back... There is no time restriction on that either as long as you have the money. The visa I had was just designed to save them the work of processing those extra applications.

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Submitted by: Birgit

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Hi Sharon, To the best of my knowledge there is no restriction or minimum time. Theoretically, as long as it takes to fly out and back. To leave Australia you have to fly. That is a considerable expense so most people will want to spend some time at the destination to make it worthwhile. How long you can do it depends on your visa conditions. When I did this there was the option to get a 6 month, multiple entry tourist visa valid for four years. (Come and go as often as you like within the next 4 years, each stay no longer than 6 months). I don't know if that option still exists. And you need a good reason why you would need to travel to Australia regularly. If that option or something comparable still exists, then you just need to explain to the immigration officer why you are doing what you are doing and you will likely need to show how you are able to finance it all, since under that visa you are not allowed to work. But if you are rich and want to spend all your money as a tourist in Australia, I don't think they will try to stop you... And if you leave some time between your visits nobody will ask any questions. I mean, you can leave and just get a new visa to come back... There is no time restriction on that either as long as you have the money. The visa I had was just designed to save them the work of processing those extra applications.

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