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Resident Return Visa Subclass 157 Australia
Resident Return Visa Subclass 157 Australia
The Resident Return visa (subclass 157) is one of the two Resident Return visa pathways available to eligible Australian permanent residents and certain former permanent residents or Australian citizens.
The Resident Return visa is designed to help eligible people maintain or regain the ability to return to Australia as a permanent resident after travelling overseas.
When an applicant lodges a Resident Return visa application, the Department of Home Affairs assesses the applicant against the criteria for both subclass 155 and subclass 157. If the applicant does not qualify for subclass 155 but meets the specific requirements for subclass 157, the Department may grant a subclass 157 visa.
What Is Subclass 157?
Subclass 157 is a permanent visa, but the travel facility attached to the visa is limited.
The subclass 157 pathway can apply where an applicant:
- Is a current or former Australian permanent resident or eligible former Australian citizen
- Does not meet the requirements for a subclass 155 RRV
- Has compelling and compassionate reasons for their absence from Australia
- Meets the other applicable Resident Return visa requirements
The maximum travel facility available with a subclass 157 visa is 3 months.
Who Can Apply for Subclass 157?
You may be eligible for an RRV if you are:
- An Australian permanent resident
- A former Australian permanent resident whose last permanent visa was not cancelled
- A former Australian citizen who lost or renounced Australian citizenship
Australian citizens are not eligible to apply for an RRV.
However, meeting one of these categories does not automatically mean you qualify for subclass 157. You must also satisfy the relevant residence, substantial-ties or family requirements, or the specific compelling-and-compassionate circumstances criteria.
Subclass 157 and Compelling and Compassionate Reasons
The subclass 157 pathway is particularly relevant where an applicant has not met the usual requirements for a longer RRV travel facility but has compelling and compassionate reasons for their absence from Australia.
Under the current Department requirements, a subclass 157 travel facility of up to 3 months may be available where the applicant:
- Does not meet the residence requirement
- Does not meet the applicable substantial-ties or family-member pathway
- Has compelling and compassionate reasons for the absence
- Has not been absent from Australia in the relevant five-year period before applying, as required by the applicable criteria.
Because these requirements are highly fact-specific, the reasons for your absence should be carefully assessed and supported with appropriate evidence.
What Are Compelling and Compassionate Circumstances?
Compelling and compassionate circumstances are circumstances that may explain why an applicant was unable to meet the usual Australian residence requirements.
Depending on the circumstances, evidence may relate to matters such as:
- Serious family circumstances
- Significant personal circumstances
- Major events affecting the applicant or close family members
- Circumstances that required prolonged residence outside Australia
- Other exceptional circumstances supported by credible evidence
There is no guarantee that a particular reason will be accepted. The Department considers the individual circumstances and evidence provided.
Subclass 157 Travel Facility
The most important feature of subclass 157 is its limited travel facility.
If granted, the subclass 157 RRV can provide a maximum travel facility of 3 months.
This means the visa can allow you to travel to and return to Australia as a permanent resident during the applicable travel period.
After the travel facility expires, you generally need to obtain another RRV before travelling outside Australia if you want to return as a permanent resident.
Subclass 157 vs Subclass 155
| Feature | Subclass 155 | Subclass 157 |
|---|---|---|
| Visa type | Resident Return visa | Resident Return visa |
| Permanent visa | Yes | Yes |
| Main purpose | Maintain/re-establish travel facility | Limited RRV pathway |
| Maximum travel facility | Up to 5 years, depending on circumstances | Up to 3 months |
| Residence pathway | 2 years in Australia in last 5 years can provide 5 years | Not based on meeting the 2-year residence requirement |
| Substantial ties pathway | Can provide up to 12 months | Not the standard 157 pathway |
| Compelling/compassionate pathway | Can apply in relevant circumstances | Specific pathway for eligible applicants |
| Assessment | RRV application assessed against applicable criteria | Assessed as part of RRV application |
Home Affairs states that applicants are assessed against both subclass 155 and 157 criteria when lodging an RRV application.
Residence Requirement for an RRV
The standard RRV residence requirement is based on having been physically present in Australia for 730 cumulative days during the five years immediately before the application while holding a permanent visa or as an Australian citizen.
Applicants who meet this requirement can receive a 5-year travel facility under subclass 155.
If you do not meet this requirement, other RRV pathways may be available depending on your circumstances.
Why Subclass 157 May Be Relevant
Subclass 157 may be relevant where an applicant has:
- Previously held Australian permanent residency
- Spent time outside Australia
- Not met the standard residence requirement
- Not established the requirements for another RRV pathway
- Compelling and compassionate reasons for their absence
- A genuine need to return to Australia as a permanent resident
A careful assessment is important because subclass 157 is not simply a general alternative to subclass 155.
Former Permanent Residents
Certain former Australian permanent residents may be eligible for an RRV.
A former permanent resident whose most recent permanent visa was cancelled is generally not eligible for an RRV under the current requirements.
Your previous visa history should therefore be reviewed before lodging an application.
Former Australian Citizens
Certain former Australian citizens who lost or renounced Australian citizenship may also be eligible for an RRV.
Current Australian citizens cannot apply for an RRV because Australian citizens do not need an RRV to enter Australia.
New Zealand Citizens
Certain New Zealand citizens may also be eligible for an RRV where they currently hold, or previously held, Australian permanent residence or meet the relevant former-permanent-resident criteria.
Special historical rules can also apply to certain New Zealand citizens who arrived in Australia before 1 September 1994.
Documents for a Subclass 157 Application
Depending on your circumstances, you may need evidence such as:
- Current passport
- Previous passports
- Evidence of Australian permanent residence
- Previous Australian visa details
- Australian travel records
- Evidence of your residence in Australia
- Overseas travel history
- Evidence explaining your absence from Australia
- Evidence supporting compelling and compassionate circumstances
- Family documents
- Medical or other supporting evidence where relevant
- Character documents if requested
- Other documents requested by Home Affairs
Documents should be accurate, genuine and verifiable.
Applying for Subclass 157
A typical RRV application involves:
1. Check your current immigration status
Confirm whether you are currently an Australian permanent resident or eligible former permanent resident/former citizen.
2. Review your travel history
Determine how much time you have spent in Australia during the relevant five-year period.
3. Check whether subclass 155 may apply
The Department assesses both RRV pathways, so you should not automatically assume that subclass 157 is the correct pathway.
4. Assess your circumstances
If you do not meet the standard requirements, determine whether you may satisfy the applicable subclass 157 criteria.
5. Prepare supporting evidence
Gather evidence of your Australian residence, immigration history and compelling and compassionate circumstances.
6. Lodge the application
RRV applications must generally be lodged online through ImmiAccount.
7. Pay the applicable visa charge
The current online RRV application charge is AUD 1,475 per applicant, subject to applicable concessions and changes to government charges.
8. Await the Department's decision
The Department may request additional information or evidence before making a decision.
Subclass 157 Visa Cost
The current Department of Home Affairs charge for an RRV application lodged online is AUD 1,475 per applicant, with certain concessions available to eligible citizens of specified Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste.
Other expenses may apply, including:
- Police certificates, where required
- Document translation
- Professional migration assistance
- Other application-related expenses
Government fees can change, so applicants should confirm the current amount before lodging.
Subclass 157 Processing Time
Processing times depend on the applicant's circumstances and the complexity of the application.
Applications that meet the standard residence requirement are generally processed more quickly. Applications that require assessment of other eligibility criteria can take substantially longer.
Home Affairs currently states that applications not meeting the residence requirement can take 12 weeks or more, depending on circumstances. Processing-time information is only a guide and does not guarantee an individual outcome.
Can You Apply for Subclass 157 in Australia?
Yes. An RRV application can generally be made inside or outside Australia, provided you are not in immigration clearance when the visa is granted.
If you are already in Australia as a permanent resident and do not intend to travel overseas, you generally do not need an RRV merely to remain in Australia.
Check Your Travel Facility Before Travelling
Before leaving Australia, permanent residents should check their current travel facility through VEVO.
If your existing permanent visa still has a valid travel facility covering your planned travel, you may not need to apply for an RRV immediately.
If you leave Australia after your permanent visa's travel facility has expired, you may need an RRV before returning as a permanent resident.
Subclass 157 Is Not a New Permanent Residency Pathway
An important point is that subclass 157 does not provide a new permanent residence pathway for someone who has never held Australian permanent residence.
It is an RRV pathway for eligible current or former permanent residents and certain former Australian citizens.
The visa itself is permanent, but its travel facility is limited to a maximum of three months under the subclass 157 pathway.
Why Choose The Visa?
RRV applications can become complicated when an applicant has spent significant time outside Australia or needs to rely on exceptional circumstances.
The Visa can assist with:
✔️ Subclass 157 eligibility assessment
✔️ Subclass 155 vs 157 assessment
✔️ Australian residence history
✔️ Travel facility assessment
✔️ Compelling and compassionate circumstances
✔️ Supporting evidence
✔️ Previous Australian visa history
✔️ RRV application preparation
✔️ Professional migration guidance
Get Professional Subclass 157 Visa Assistance
If your Australian permanent resident travel facility has expired or you have spent significant time outside Australia, it is important to understand your options before making travel arrangements.
Contact The Visa for a personalised Resident Return visa assessment and professional guidance on subclass 155 and subclass 157.