Resident Return Visa (Subclass 155 and 157) Australia

Resident Return Visa Australia

The Resident Return visa (RRV) is designed for eligible Australian permanent residents and certain former permanent residents who need to maintain or regain their ability to travel to Australia and return as a permanent resident.

Australian permanent residency generally allows a person to remain in Australia indefinitely, but the right to return to Australia from overseas depends on having a valid travel facility. A permanent resident does not automatically have an unrestricted right to re-enter Australia after travelling overseas.

The Resident Return visa has two subclasses:

• Resident Return visa (subclass 155)
• Resident Return visa (subclass 157)

The appropriate subclass and travel facility depend on your Australian residence history and individual circumstances.

What Is a Resident Return Visa?

An RRV is a permanent visa that can provide eligible Australian permanent residents with a travel facility allowing them to leave Australia and return as permanent residents.

It can be particularly important for permanent residents who:

• Have spent significant time outside Australia
• Have been living overseas
• Need to travel internationally
• Have an expired travel facility
• Need to maintain their Australian permanent resident status while travelling
• Have substantial ties to Australia despite spending time overseas

The RRV does not create permanent residency from scratch. It is generally used by people who already hold, or have previously held, Australian permanent resident status and meet the relevant requirements.

Resident Return Visa Subclass 155

The Resident Return visa subclass 155 can provide a longer travel facility where the applicant meets the relevant residence or substantial-ties requirements.

A common pathway is based on having been physically present in Australia for the required period during the relevant period before applying.

If you have not spent the required amount of time in Australia, you may still be able to qualify in some circumstances by demonstrating substantial ties to Australia.

These ties can include factors such as:

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

The Department assesses the circumstances and evidence provided with the application.

Resident Return Visa Subclass 157

The Resident Return visa subclass 157 is a separate RRV pathway for certain applicants who do not meet the requirements for the longer travel facility under subclass 155 but may satisfy the applicable requirements for subclass 157.

The subclass 157 pathway has specific eligibility requirements and should not be treated as an automatic alternative to subclass 155.

Your residence history, previous permanent residence, travel history and circumstances need to be assessed before deciding which RRV pathway may apply.

Resident Return Visa Eligibility

Eligibility depends on your individual circumstances and the requirements applicable to subclass 155 or 157.

Factors that may be relevant include:

• Your Australian permanent resident status
• Whether you are a former Australian permanent resident
• Your Australian residence history
• Time spent physically in Australia
• International travel history
• Substantial ties to Australia
• Reasons for extended periods outside Australia
• Family circumstances
• Business or employment connections
• Australian property or financial interests
• Cultural connections
• Character considerations

The Department may require evidence supporting the information provided in your application.

Residence Requirement

Your time spent physically in Australia can be an important factor when applying for an RRV.

Applicants who have spent the required period residing in Australia during the relevant period may be able to qualify for a longer travel facility.

If you have spent substantial time overseas, the assessment can become more complex.

In such circumstances, evidence of your ongoing connection with Australia and the reasons for your overseas absence may become important.

Substantial Ties to Australia

If you do not meet the relevant residence requirement, you may still be able to qualify for an RRV where you can demonstrate substantial ties to Australia and satisfy the other applicable requirements.

Depending on your circumstances, substantial ties may include:

Personal ties

Family relationships and other significant personal connections in Australia.

Business ties

Ownership, management or significant involvement in Australian businesses.

Employment ties

Employment or professional connections with Australia.

Cultural ties

Significant cultural or community connections with Australia.

The strength and nature of these ties need to be supported by appropriate evidence.

Evidence for Substantial Ties

Evidence may include:

• Australian employment records
• Employment contracts
• Business ownership documents
• ASIC or company records
• Taxation documents
• Property ownership evidence
• Lease or accommodation records
• Family evidence
• Australian bank or financial records
• Professional memberships
• Community or cultural involvement
• Evidence explaining overseas residence
• Evidence of future plans in Australia

The appropriate evidence depends on the nature of your claimed ties.

Former Australian Permanent Residents

Certain former permanent residents may also be able to apply for an RRV.

The Department specifically recognises some people who arrived in Australia before the introduction of electronic visa records and certain former permanent residents who may need an RRV to travel overseas and return to Australia as permanent residents.

If you have an older Australian immigration history and do not have an electronic visa record, you should not assume that you have lost your permanent resident status.

The Department may be able to verify historical residence and visa records through supporting evidence.

Australian Permanent Resident Travel Facility

Australian permanent residency and the right to travel back to Australia are separate concepts.

A permanent resident can generally remain in Australia indefinitely, but travelling overseas requires a valid travel facility to return as a permanent resident.

You can use VEVO to check your current visa details, including your visa, expiry date, period of stay and applicable conditions. VEVO can also help confirm whether your current visa provides the relevant travel facility.

What Happens If Your Travel Facility Has Expired?

If your permanent visa's travel facility has expired while you are overseas, you may need to apply for an appropriate Resident Return visa before returning to Australia as a permanent resident.

Do not assume that an expired travel facility means that your permanent residency itself has automatically expired.

The correct approach depends on your visa history and circumstances.

Resident Return Visa and Australian Citizenship

An RRV is not the same as Australian citizenship.

A permanent resident can generally remain in Australia indefinitely, but a permanent resident does not automatically have an Australian passport or unrestricted re-entry rights after travelling overseas.

If you meet the requirements for Australian citizenship, citizenship may provide a different long-term status and travel position.

However, citizenship eligibility is assessed separately from an RRV application.

Resident Return Visa Application Process

A typical RRV application involves:

1. Review your permanent resident status

Confirm your current or previous Australian permanent resident status.

2. Check your travel facility

Review your visa information and travel history.

3. Assess your Australian residence

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

4. Assess your Australian ties

If you do not satisfy the relevant residence requirement, identify and document your substantial ties to Australia.

5. Prepare supporting evidence

Collect documents supporting your residence, family, employment, business, property and other relevant connections.

6. Lodge the application

Submit the RRV application using the applicable Department of Home Affairs process.

7. Respond to any Department request

The Department may request additional information or evidence.

8. Receive the decision

If granted, the RRV provides the applicable travel facility according to the visa grant.

Documents for an RRV Application

Depending on your circumstances, documents may include:

• Current passport
• Previous passports
• Australian visa information
• Evidence of permanent residence
• International travel history
• Australian residential history
• Employment evidence
• Business documents
• Property documents
• Family evidence
• Taxation records
• Financial evidence
• Evidence of Australian community or cultural ties
• Documents explaining extended overseas residence
• Other documents requested by the Department

Applicants should provide accurate, genuine and verifiable documents.

RRV Processing Time

Processing times can vary according to the applicant's circumstances, the completeness of the application and whether additional information is required.

Applications involving extensive overseas residence or substantial-ties considerations may require more detailed evidence.

Applicants should avoid relying on an assumed processing timeframe when making important international travel arrangements.

Resident Return Visa Fees

The government visa application charge can change.

For this reason, applicants should check the current Department of Home Affairs visa pricing information before lodging an application rather than relying on an old fee published on a third-party website.

Other potential expenses may include:

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

RRV and Travel Overseas

If you are an Australian permanent resident planning to travel overseas, it is important to check your travel facility before leaving Australia.

VEVO can be used to check the details of an in-effect visa.

If your travel facility is close to expiring, obtaining appropriate advice before travelling may help you avoid difficulties returning to Australia.

RRV and Long-Term Overseas Residence

Living overseas for an extended period does not necessarily mean that an Australian permanent resident can no longer qualify for an RRV.

However, where the residence requirement is not met, the applicant may need to demonstrate substantial ties to Australia and satisfy the other applicable requirements.

The strength of the evidence can therefore be particularly important for applicants who have spent many years outside Australia.

Why Choose The Visa for RRV Assistance?

Resident Return visa applications can become complicated when an applicant has spent significant time outside Australia or has an older Australian immigration history.

The Visa can assist with:

✔️ Resident Return visa assessment
✔️ Subclass 155 guidance
✔️ Subclass 157 guidance
✔️ Australian residence history assessment
✔️ Travel facility review
✔️ Substantial ties assessment
✔️ Supporting document preparation
✔️ Former permanent resident matters
✔️ RRV application guidance
✔️ Australian permanent residence travel advice

Get Professional Resident Return Visa Advice

If you are an Australian permanent resident living overseas, planning international travel or concerned about your ability to return to Australia as a permanent resident, an RRV assessment can help clarify your options.