Resident Return Visa Introduction
Do I need a Resident Return visa?
If you leave Australia after your visa travel validity has expired, you will not be able to return to Australia as a permanent resident. If you wish to return to Australia as a permanent resident, you must apply for and be granted this visa before your arrival in Australia
If you are already in Australia as a permanent resident, you do not need to apply for this visa if you do not wish to travel.
There are no limits on the number of Resident Return visas you can apply for.
There are two types of Australian Resident Return visa, the 155 (long-term) and the 157 (short-term). The 157 is a short-term visa usually valid for up to 3 months whereas, the 155 visa is long-term and is usually valid for up to 5 years.
Both visas allow you travel in and out of Australia as many times as you want until the travel validity expires.
How long will the travel validity last for?
| 155 Visa – For 5 years travel validity | In Australia as a permanent resident (PR), former citizen or former permanent resident for 2 years which is equivalent to 730 days in the last 5 years. |
| 155 Visa – For 12 months travel validity | Absent from Australia as a permanent resident (PR), former permanent resident for 2 years in the last 5 years.But if you can demonstrate substantial ties such as business ties, cultural ties, employment ties or personal ties that benefit Australia. |
| 155 visa – For 12 months travel validity | Satisfy the requirements by having a member of family unit who holds this visa. |
| 155 visa – For 3 months travel validity | Failed to satisfy the requirements but have compelling and compassionate reasons for departure. |
Resident Return Visa Eligibility and Condition
To be eligible, you must
- 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
- meet the residence or substantial ties requirement
- you must be in Australia for 730 days in the last 5 years as the holder of permanent visa or as an Australian citizen, and
- able to demonstrate substantial ties to Australia that are of benefit to Australia
- Not hold an Authority to Return (issued between 1 March 1976 to 31 August 1979) or Return Endorsement (issued between 1 September 1979 and 31 December 1986)
- Meet the character requirement
- Not have cancellation action against your business skills visa
- Class EA subclass 132 visa
- Class BH subclass 840-846 visas (repealed)
- Class EB subclass 188 visa
- Class UR subclass 160-165 visas
- Class EC subclass 888 visas
- Not have had a visa cancelled or a previous application refused
There are no conditions attached to this visa.
Resident Return Visa Checklist
- Identity documents such as current passport,
- Substantial ties of Benefit to Australia documents
- Statement explaining how the ties are substantial and of benefit to Australia
- Business ties documents
- Company reports defining your role and authority
- Business transactions
- Partnership or joint venture agreements
- Contracts showing your signature
- Business or personal records
- Evidence of your active involvement in the business
- Cultural ties documents
- Publications written by you
- Contract
- Evidence of membership of cultural associations
- Newspaper articles about you
- Programs listing your artistic or cultural performances
- Employment ties documents
- Employment Contracts
- Recent officials document such as group certificates
- Employee identification or security pass.
- A work reference, tax payment and payrolls from an Australian organisation
- Personal ties documents
- If the applicant is a participating member of the Australian Community and economy and their ties enrich the lives of individual Australian residents and citizens
Please refer to the examples below, it is directly extracted from the Department website.
| Proving substantial personal ties to Australia | |
| Example situation | Example documents |
| You have a history of long-term residence in Australia, spent your formative years in Australia or have spent a significant amount of time in Australia since first being granted a permanent visa. | Utility bills, bank statements, travel record, permanent visa decision, school records |
| You have an Australian citizen partner or, in the case of a minor child, Australian citizen parent, who has previously lived in Australia. | Copies of birth certificates, marriage or citizenship certificates of partners and children |
| You have one or more Australian citizen minor children living in Australia (including at boarding school) where no legal impediment to access exists. | School reports, proof of residence of family home |
| You are returning to Australia after living overseas with your family unit, including Australian citizen minor children. | Plane tickets, property purchase documents, school enrolments, moving receipts |
| Documents required because you are a member of the family unit of a person who holds this visaFor married couples, provide the marriage certificate. |
| For de facto relationships, provide either:evidence that your relationship is registered by an Australian State or Territoryenough documents to prove you have been in a de facto relationship with your partner for at least 12 months before you applyFor both married and de facto applicants, you must provide evidence that you are in a genuine and continuing relationship. Evidence can include but is not limited to:joint bank account statementsbilling accounts in joint namesjoint leases or mortgagesdocuments that show your partner has lived at the same address as youFor children under 18 years old, provide:copies of birth certificates or the family book showing the names of both parentscopies of the adoption paper, if applicable |
Resident Return Visa Application Process
Step 1: Gather your documents
Step 2: You can either apply the visa application online via Australian Government Department of Home Affair, Immigration and citizenship website or on paper by submitting Form 1085 Application for a Resident Return visa.
Step 3: The Department will inform you the outcome in writing.
Resident Return Visa Cost
You can find all information in relation to the cost of this visa in the Department website.
The visa costs AUD475 for each applicant if you apply online. But if you apply on paper, it costs AUD555 for each applicant.（Update date：2024.07）
Resident Return Visa Processing Time
Subclass 155
- 50% of applications: Less than 1 Day
- 90% of applications: 17 Days
（Update date：2024.07）
Subclass 157
- 50% of applications: 32 Days
- 90% of applications: 85 Days
（Update date：2024.07）
Resident Return Visa Frequently Asked Question
What if my Visa is refused?
What happens if my Resident Return Visa expires?
- If this visa expired while you are outside Australia and you wish to return to Australia, you must be granted this visa before your arrival in Australia.
- From the date you are granted the visa, you can travel for a specified period of time depending on your circumstances. For information on the travel validity, see How long this visa lasts.
- After that period, you will need another Resident Return (RRV) visa (subclasses 155 and 157) to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident. Alternatively, you may wish to consider your eligibility for Australian Citizenship and travel on an Australian passport.
- To see when your travel condition ends, use VEVO.
