Australian Embassy, China

澳大利亚驻华大使馆

Embassy address: 21 Dongzhimenwai Dajie, Sanlitun, Beijing - Telephone: 5140 4111 - Fax: 5140 4204

1. Information ⇒ 2. Checklist ⇒ 3. How to Apply ⇒ 4. After You Apply

2. Checklist – Resident Return Visa

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On this page: Introduction and Documentary requirements

Introduction

Please note that if you provide photocopies of original documents, they must be certified/notarised as true copies by an authorised person. Notarised copies of Chinese documents can be obtained from a local Public Notary office. Certified copies of Australian documents can be obtained from the office of any Justice of the Peace in Australia, or from the office of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade at any overseas Australian mission. Chinese language documents are acceptable, however it is preferred that the documents are accompanied by English translations. All supporting documents must be clear and legible.

We reserve the right to verify any documents lodged with your application with a document issuing authority, a relevant third party, or via document examination techniques. Applications containing false or misleading information will most likely be refused. We expect you to advise us of any changes to the information you have provided as soon as the change happens.

Please note: This is a guide only. Further information and/or documents may be requested during the processing of your application to assist our assessment. Please contact us should you have any questions about any of the listed documentary requirements.

What is a Public Notary Office?

There are over 3,000 Public Notary Offices (��֤�� gongzhengchu) in counties, autonomous areas, and municipalities across China. For the contact number of your local Public Notary Office, call directory assistance in China on 114. Public Notary Offices are accredited by the Chinese government to perform a number of notarial roles, including:

• Notarising the authenticity of signatures, translations, copies of certificates, and photocopies with originals; and

• Notarising facts that amount to civil legal acts such as birth, death, marriage, divorce, kinship, identity and qualifications, and the issuing of the relevant Notarial Certificate - including “Certificates of No Criminal Conviction” (see “Health & Character Documents” below).

Documentary Requirements

• Form 1085 Application For A Resident Return Visa (RRV) Or replacement evidence Of An RRV completed in English and signed by the applicant;

• Visa application charge; and

• If you have not been lawfully present in Australia for two years in the past five years, you need to demonstrate that you have substantial ties to Australia (see below), that are of benefit to Australia, in order to be eligible for a Resident Return Visa.

Question 27 on Form 1085 asks if you have substantial business, cultural, employment or personal ties to Australia that are of benefit to Australia. If you have answered “YES” to this question, please provide a separate sheet describing these ties to Australia, together with copies of supporting documentation as evidence. Failure to do so will delay the processing of your application.

Business Ties – for example:
• evidence of business ownership or active partnership. The business should be an Australian business or a branch of a business that has connections with Australia.
• copies of recent annual reports and/or financial statements
• evidence of your active involvement in the business

Cultural Ties – for example:
• evidence that you are involved in the arts professionally such as actors, musicians, painters or authors
• evidence that you are an active member of a religious, sporting or cultural group in Australia

Employment Ties – for example:
• evidence that you are employed by an Australian organisation or the Australian branch of a multinational or foreign owned company and what your role is.
• A work reference from the organisation in Australia.

Personal Ties – for example:
• If you are accompanying your Australian citizen spouse overseas you should provide certified copies of your marriage certificate and evidence that your spouse is with you overseas and proof of your spouse’s Australian citizenship.
• If you have close family members who are Australian permanent residents or citizens and they are living in Australia, provide proof of the relationship and of their status in Australia, eg. Certified copies of their passports – all pages. It would help if you also provide a list showing where all your family members live.
• If you own a house or other personal assets in Australia, evidence of ownership.

This list is not exhaustive. It is a list of examples of the types of documentation that will help us to assess your application. If your circumstances are different but you believe that you have substantial business, cultural, employment or personal ties that are of benefit to Australia, please supply with your application, documentation to support your claims and a written explanation of your circumstances. Please attach English translations of any documents in Chinese. Please refer to http://www.immi.gov.au/migrants/_pdf/155-Checklist.pdf for further information.

Please note: If you are able to show that you have substantial ties with Australia and that they are of benefit to Australia but you have not returned to Australia in the last 5 years, you will need to show that there are compelling reasons that have caused your absence.

If you have answered “NO” to Question 27, you need to answer the two additional questions in the box on the form:
• Did you have compelling and compassionate reasons for departing Australia?
• If you have been outside Australia for more than 3 months, do you have compelling and compassionate reasons for your absence?
You should provide a written answer to these questions together with certified copies of available supporting evidence.

Please refer to 3. How to Apply - Resident Return Visa for information on how and where to lodge your RRV application in China.

1. Information ⇒ 2. Checklist ⇒ 3. How to Apply ⇒ 4. After You Apply

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