How to Transition to Retirement in Australia
Retirees who wish to immigrate to Australia must have either a retirement visa (subclass 410) or an investor retirement Visa (subclass 405). As its name suggests, the investor retirement visa requires the applicant to make a major, long-term financial investment in Australia and has several other conditions. New applicants are only permitted to apply for the investor retirement visa, but those who already hold the ordinary retirement visa may apply for a "transitional" retirement visa which allows unlimited working rights and a longer visa duration. Before 2009, when the Australian government announced the changes, holders of the retirement visa were limited to only 20 hours of paid work per week and their visa was valid for four years. Under the transitional arrangement, visa holders may work unlimited hours and their visa is valid for 10 years. The requirements for the investor retirement visa have not changed.
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Things You'll Need
- Internet access
- Your current retirement visa (subclass 410)
- Valid passport
- Form 147
Instructions
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Making the Application
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1
The transitional visa gives extended work rights. Check your current retirement visa. If your visa was granted before July 1, 2009, it still operates under the old rules. This means that it is still valid for four years and you only have limited work rights of up to 20 hours per week. When you renew your visa, you will automatically get the new benefits and the visa will be valid for 10 years. If you wish to extend your work rights before your old visa expires, you will need to apply for a new visa. This will expire at the same time as the old visa, but work restrictions will be lifted.
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2
Obtain Form 147, which is known as an application for a temporary residence visa (non-business). The form is available to download from the website of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship or through the department's office in Perth.
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3
Complete the application and be sure to indicate that you are applying for a transitional retirement visa in question one. You don't require the evidence that you had to present with your original application unless your circumstances have changed, but double-check requirements with the department's office before lodging your application.
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Lodge your application with the Perth office of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, which is where all retirement visas are processed. This might be done by post, using registered mail, to Department of Immigration and Citizenship, Locked Bag 7, Northbridge WA 6865 or it can be delivered by hand or sent by courier to the office address which is Department of Immigration and Citizenship Wellington Central, Level 3, 868 Wellington Street, West Perth WA 6000.
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Tips & Warnings
Read about the Australian government's retirement visas on the website of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. There is lots of useful information and links.
This visa is not for new applicants or those who have an investor retirement visa. Only those with a current retirement visa can apply for the transitional retirement visa.
References
Resources
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