Resident Return Visa

Resident Return Visas The Resident Return Visa (RRV) allows current and former permanent residents, and certain former Australian citizens, to travel outside Australia and return as a permanent resident.

Subclass 155- Five Year Resident Return Visa

The Resident Return Visa (RRV) Subclass 155 allows Australian permanent residents or former permanent residents to travel freely in and out of Australia while maintaining their permanent residency status.

Application Process

Form and Lodgement: Applications must be submitted using Form 1085E via the Immi Account online portal.
Location: Applications can be made while the applicant is either inside or outside Australia, but applicants cannot be in immigration clearance when applying.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must be one of the following:

Residence requirements:

1 . Two-Year Residence Requirement:

The applicant must have been lawfully present in Australia for at least 2 years in the last 5 years before application, holding a permanent visa or being an Australian citizen throughout this time.

2. Substantial Ties to Australia (If Outside Australia):

The applicant must demonstrate substantial business, cultural, employment, or personal ties that are beneficial to Australia and must not have been absent from Australia for 5 or more continuous years without compelling reasons.

3. Substantial Ties to Australia (If Inside Australia):

Similar substantial ties must be demonstrated if the applicant is inside Australia but has not met the 2-year residence requirement.
Longer absences of 5 or more continuous years require compelling reasons.

Visa Duration and Conditions

If the two-year residence requirement is met, the visa grant typically includes a 5-year travel facility.
In other cases, the visa is generally granted for 1 year or less.
Family unit members' visa durations are linked to the primary applicant’s visa duration.
No conditions are imposed on the visa.

Subclass 157 – Three Month Resident Return Visa

The Subclass 157 visa allows former Australian permanent residents or citizens to return to Australia when they do not meet the residence requirement for the longer-term Subclass 155 visa. It grants a short-term travel facility, typically valid for 3 months from the date of grant

Application Details

Form and Lodgement: Applicants must apply using Form 1085E through ImmiAccount portal.
Application Location: The visa can be applied for from inside or outside Australia.

Eligibility Criteria

The applicant must be an Australian permanent resident or a former citizen who lost or renounced citizenship or a former permanent resident whose last permanent visa was not cancelled.
The applicant must have been lawfully present in Australia for at least one day but less than two years in the last five years, holding a permanent visa or citizenship throughout.
The applicant must have compelling and compassionate reasons for their absence from Australia or for leaving Australia.
Applicants outside Australia must not have been absent for more than 3 continuous months before applying, unless compelling reasons justify the absence.

Visa Conditions and Duration

The Subclass 157 visa is a permanent visa, but the travel facility permits entry to and travel within Australia for 3 months from the date of grant.
The applicant may be inside or outside Australia when the visa is granted
No visa conditions (such as work restrictions) are typically imposed.

Important Notes

The Subclass 157 visa assists applicants who cannot meet Subclass 155 residence criteria but require short-term travel rights to return and re-establish residency.
Applicants should apply for an RRV before traveling if their current travel facility is or will soon expire; otherwise, re-entry as a permanent resident may be refused.