Resident Return Visa Subclass 155 Australia

Resident Return Visa Subclass 155 Australia

The Resident Return visa (subclass 155) is a permanent visa for eligible Australian permanent residents, certain former permanent residents and eligible former Australian citizens who need a valid travel facility to return to Australia as permanent residents after travelling overseas.

Australian permanent residency allows a person to remain in Australia indefinitely, but a permanent resident generally needs a valid travel facility to return to Australia after travelling overseas. Unlike Australian citizens, permanent residents do not have an automatic right to re-enter Australia without a valid travel facility.

The Resident Return visa application covers both subclass 155 and subclass 157 criteria. Where the applicant satisfies the subclass 155 requirements, the Department may grant a subclass 155 visa with the applicable travel facility.

What Is Subclass 155?

Subclass 155 is one of Australia's Resident Return visa pathways.

It can be relevant if you:

• Are an Australian permanent resident
• Are a former Australian permanent resident who remains eligible
• Are an eligible former Australian citizen
• Have an expired or soon-to-expire travel facility
• Have spent time outside Australia
• Need to travel internationally and return to Australia as a permanent resident

The RRV does not create permanent residency for a person who has never held Australian permanent residence. It is designed for eligible people with an existing or previous Australian permanent resident status.

Subclass 155 Residence Requirement

A key pathway for subclass 155 is the Australian residence requirement.

Generally, an applicant who has been physically present in Australia for at least 2 years, or 730 days, during the 5 years immediately before applying may qualify for a Resident Return visa with a longer travel facility, provided the other requirements are satisfied.

Your travel history should therefore be reviewed carefully before lodging an application.

Periods spent outside Australia can affect whether you satisfy the residence requirement.

Five-Year Travel Facility

Where the relevant residence requirement is satisfied, a subclass 155 visa can provide a travel facility of up to 5 years.

This is one of the major benefits of meeting the standard RRV residence pathway.

The travel facility should not be confused with the permanent nature of the visa itself. The visa can remain permanent while the travel facility determines the period during which you can travel outside Australia and return as a permanent resident.

What If You Have Not Lived in Australia for 2 Years?

Not meeting the 730-day residence requirement does not necessarily mean that you have no RRV options.

Depending on your circumstances, you may still qualify under another RRV pathway, including where you can demonstrate substantial ties to Australia and satisfy the relevant requirements.

The Department may consider the nature of your connection with Australia and your individual circumstances.

Possible ties can include:

• Personal ties
• Family ties
• Business ties
• Employment ties
• Cultural ties

The evidence required depends on the pathway and your circumstances.

Substantial Ties to Australia

Applicants who have spent substantial periods outside Australia may need to demonstrate strong and continuing connections with Australia.

Examples of supporting evidence can include:

Personal and family ties

• Australian spouse or partner
• Children or other close family members in Australia
• Family responsibilities
• Significant personal connections

Business ties

• Australian business ownership
• Directorships
• Business operations
• Commercial interests

Employment ties

• Australian employment
• Employment contracts
• Professional commitments
• Ongoing Australian business activities

Cultural ties

• Community involvement
• Professional organisations
• Cultural or social connections
• Other significant connections with Australia

The strength and relevance of the evidence are important.

Subclass 155 for Permanent Residents Living Overseas

Australian permanent residents who have been living overseas for an extended period may need an RRV before returning to Australia as permanent residents if their existing travel facility has expired.

A long period outside Australia does not automatically mean that permanent residency has disappeared.

The appropriate RRV pathway depends on your visa history, residence in Australia, travel history and circumstances.

Check Your Travel Facility Before Leaving Australia

Before travelling overseas, Australian permanent residents should check their current visa and travel facility.

VEVO can show the details of an in-effect visa, including:

• Current visa
• Visa expiry date
• Must-not-arrive-after date
• Period of stay
• Visa conditions

Home Affairs specifically recommends checking VEVO before travelling outside Australia to confirm your right to return as a permanent resident.

Who Can Apply for Subclass 155?

Depending on the applicable RRV criteria, eligible applicants can include:

• Australian permanent residents
• Certain former Australian permanent residents
• Certain former Australian citizens

Australian citizens do not need an RRV to enter Australia.

If you are unsure about your historical Australian immigration status, your previous visa records should be reviewed before applying.

Former Permanent Residents

Certain former Australian permanent residents may be eligible for an RRV.

Your previous permanent visa history is important, particularly if you have spent a long time overseas.

If your permanent visa was cancelled, different rules may apply and an RRV may not be available under the standard pathway.

A professional assessment can help determine whether an RRV application is appropriate.

Former Australian Citizens

Certain former Australian citizens may also qualify for an RRV.

Australian citizens themselves cannot apply for an RRV because citizens have the right to enter Australia using an Australian passport.

If you previously held Australian citizenship but are no longer an Australian citizen, your circumstances should be assessed against the current RRV requirements.

Historical Permanent Residence Records

Some long-term Australian permanent residents may not have an electronic visa record, particularly people who migrated to Australia many years ago.

Home Affairs provides processes for establishing or recording historical permanent residence.

If your first arrival was before the introduction of electronic visa records, you may need to provide historical evidence of your Australian residence and immigration status.

Importantly, Home Affairs states that if an electronic record is required specifically for an RRV application, the relevant processing area can create the record as part of the RRV application process.

Documents for Subclass 155

Depending on your circumstances, supporting documents may include:

• Current passport
• Previous passports
• Australian visa information
• Evidence of permanent residency
• Australian travel history
• International movement records
• Evidence of Australian residence
• Employment records
• Business records
• Property evidence
• Family documents
• Evidence of Australian personal ties
• Evidence of Australian cultural or professional ties
• Documents explaining extended overseas residence
• Other evidence requested by Home Affairs

Documents should be accurate, genuine and verifiable.

International Travel History

Your travel history can be particularly important for an RRV application.

You may need to establish:

• Dates you entered Australia
• Dates you departed Australia
• Time spent physically in Australia
• Time spent overseas
• Your residence during the relevant period

Home Affairs provides access to international movement records, which can help applicants establish their travel history.

Subclass 155 Application Process

A typical application process includes:

1. Check your Australian permanent resident status

Confirm your current or previous permanent resident status.

2. Review your travel facility

Check VEVO and your visa grant information.

3. Review your residence history

Calculate how much time you have spent physically in Australia during the relevant period.

4. Assess your RRV pathway

Determine whether you meet the standard residence requirement or whether another RRV pathway may be relevant.

5. Prepare supporting documents

Collect evidence supporting your residence, travel history and Australian connections.

6. Lodge the RRV application

Submit the application using the Department's applicable online process.

7. Respond to requests

Home Affairs may request additional documents or information.

8. Receive the decision

If the visa is granted, the applicable travel facility will be specified with the visa.

Subclass 155 and Travel Overseas

If your current permanent visa still has a valid travel facility, you may be able to travel without applying for an RRV.

If your travel facility has expired, you may need an RRV before returning to Australia as a permanent resident.

This is why checking your visa status before booking international travel is important.

Subclass 155 vs Subclass 157

Home Affairs assesses RRV applications against the applicable subclass 155 and 157 criteria. Therefore, applicants should not automatically assume that they need to apply exclusively for one subclass.

Subclass 155 and Australian Citizenship

An RRV is not Australian citizenship.

A permanent resident may be able to apply for Australian citizenship if they satisfy the separate citizenship requirements.

Holding an RRV does not automatically make you an Australian citizen.

Subclass 155 Visa Fees

Government visa application charges can change.

Applicants should check the current Department of Home Affairs visa pricing information before lodging an RRV application rather than relying on an outdated fee published elsewhere.

Other expenses may include:

• Document translation
• Obtaining historical records
• Professional migration assistance
• Other application-related costs

Subclass 155 Processing Time

Processing time can vary depending on:

• Whether the residence requirement is straightforward
• Complexity of the applicant's travel history
• Whether substantial ties need to be assessed
• Completeness of supporting documents
• Requests for additional information
• Individual circumstances

Applicants should not make important travel arrangements based solely on an estimated processing timeframe.

Why Choose The Visa?

Resident Return visa applications can become complicated when you have spent significant time outside Australia or have an expired travel facility.

The Visa can assist with:

✔️ Subclass 155 eligibility assessment
✔️ 730-day residence assessment
✔️ Travel history review
✔️ Substantial Australian ties
✔️ Permanent residence travel facility
✔️ Former permanent resident matters
✔️ Supporting document preparation
✔️ RRV application guidance
✔️ Subclass 155 and 157 comparison
✔️ Professional Australian immigration advice

Get Professional Subclass 155 Visa Assistance

If you are an Australian permanent resident living overseas, planning to travel internationally or concerned about an expired travel facility, understanding your RRV options before travelling can be important.

Contact The Visa for a personalised Resident Return visa assessment and professional guidance on subclass 155.