Resident Return visa (subclass 155 157)

Home | Migrants | 155/157 RRV | Resident Return Visa (Subclass 155 157)

Project Introduction

If you leave Australia after your travel validity expires, or it expires when you are outside Australia, you will not be able to return to Australia as a permanent resident. This visa allows you to return as a permanent resident.

Application Requirement

Be either

An Australian permanent resident

A former Australian permanent resident whose last permanent visa was not cancelled, or

A former Australian citizen who lost or renounced citizenship.

You must either:

have been present in Australia for 2 years in the last 5 years as the holder of a permanent visa (or permanent entry permit), or as an Australian citizen, in which case you will get a 5-year travel facility

Be outside Australia and:

not absent for 5 continuous years or more before the date of application (unless you have compelling reasons), and

hold a permanent visa or last left Australia as a permanent resident or citizen (but subsequently lost citizenship), and

be able to demonstrate substantial ties to Australia that are of benefit to Australia, in which case you can only be given a maximum 12 months travel facility

be outside Australia and:

were an Australian citizen or permanent resident less than 10 years before you applied, and

not absent from Australia for periods that total more than 5 years (unless you have compelling reasons) between the date you left Australia as a permanent resident or citizen and the date of application, and

be able to demonstrate substantial ties to Australia that are of benefit to Australia, in which case you can only be given a maximum 12 months travel facility

be in Australia and:

be able to demonstrate substantial ties to Australia that are of benefit to Australia, and

not been absent for 5 continuous years since grant of your most recent permanent visa or when you stopped being an Australian citizen (unless you have compelling reasons)

in which case you can only be given a maximum 12 months travel facility

be the member of family unit of a person who already holds an RRV or has lodged a separate application for an RRV, and meets the time of application criteria for grant, in which case you can only be given a maximum 12 months travel facility.

You are not eligible for an RRV if you hold a Transitional (permanent) visa because you were issued either an: Authority to Return (issued between 1 March 1976 to 31 August 1979) Return Endorsement (issued between 1 September 1979 and 31 December 1986)

You must meet the character requirement.

You might not be eligible for this visa if you have cancellation action on business grounds for your business skills visa.

If you have previously had a visa cancelled or refused while you were in Australia you might not be granted this visa.

Application Process

Check your current visa status and travel facility prior to applying to determine if an application for a Resident Return visa is necessary.

You must apply online.

Apply for this visa online in ImmiAccount.

You can be in or outside Australia when the Immigration Department make a decision.