Resident Return Visa (RRV)  Subclass 155 / 157

Resident Return Visa (RRV) Australia Explained

Australian permanent residency does not automatically allow unlimited travel. Permanent visas include a travel facility, and once that travel facility expires, re entry to Australia as a permanent resident is no longer possible.

The Resident Return Visa exists to address this situation. It allows eligible permanent residents and certain former Australian citizens to return to Australia as permanent residents after their original travel facility has expired 

This page explains how the Resident Return Visa works, who can apply, how Subclass 155 and Subclass 157 are assessed, and what travel rights may be granted.

Who the Resident Return Visa Is For

You may be eligible to apply for a Resident Return Visa 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 this visa.

There are no age requirements for Resident Return Visa applicants

Resident Return Visa Subclasses Explained 

When you lodge an RRV application, the Department assesses you against the criteria for both subclasses.

Subclass 155

Subclass 155 is the standard Resident Return Visa. Depending on your circumstances, it may grant a travel facility of up to five years.

Subclass 157

Subclass 157 applies only in limited situations. If granted, it provides a maximum travel facility of three months. Applicants are only considered for Subclass 157 if they do not meet the requirements for Subclass 155

What a Resident Return Visa Allows You to Do

If your Resident Return Visa is granted, you can:

• Travel to and from Australia as a permanent resident
• Enter Australia during the period of the visa’s travel facility
• Apply for further Resident Return Visas in the future if required

There is no limit to the number of Resident Return Visas you may apply for over time

Travel Facility Periods

The length of the travel facility granted depends on your circumstances at the time of application.

Five Year Travel Facility

You may be granted a five year travel facility if you have been physically present in Australia for at least two years in the last five years as either:

• A permanent visa holder, or
• An Australian citizen

The two year requirement is calculated as 730 days. The five year period is counted back from the date your RRV application is lodged.

Twelve Month Travel Facility

If you do not meet the residence requirement, you may still be granted a travel facility of up to twelve months if you can demonstrate substantial ties to Australia that are of benefit to Australia.

This can apply whether you are inside or outside Australia, including when applying as a member of the family unit of another RRV applicant who meets the time of application criteria.

Three Month Travel Facility (Subclass 157)

• A three month travel facility may be granted if:
• You do not meet the residence or substantial ties requirements
• You have compelling and compassionate reasons for departure

You have not been absent from Australia for five continuous years before applying

This outcome is available only under Subclass 157

How Residence Is Calculated

When assessing whether you meet the residence requirement:

• The five year period is counted back from the RRV application lodgement date
• Dates of arrival and departure are both counted
• Part days in Australia are counted as full days
• If arrival and departure occur on the same day, only one day is counted

Substantial Ties to Australia

If you rely on substantial ties instead of residence, those ties must be both substantial and of benefit to Australia.

Substantial ties may include:

• Business ties
• Employment ties
• Cultural ties
• Personal or family ties

You must provide evidence to support any ties you claim in your application

When You Are Not Eligible  

You cannot apply for a Resident Return Visa if you hold a Transitional permanent visa issued with:

• An Authority to Return, or
• A Return Endorsement

These were issued between 1976 and 1986. Different travel arrangements apply to those visas

Where and How to Apply

You can apply for a Resident Return Visa from inside or outside Australia, provided you are not in immigration clearance at the time of application.

Applications must be lodged online unless the Department authorises a paper application. You cannot apply in person

Visa Cost  

The application charge is:

• AUD 490 per applicant when applying online
• AUD 570 per applicant when authorised to apply on paper

Other costs may apply, such as health checks, police certificates, or biometrics if requested.

Processing Times

Processing times vary depending on whether the residence requirement is met.

• Applications that meet the residence requirement are generally processed within five working days
• Applications that do not meet the residence requirement may take twelve weeks or longer

Processing may take longer if additional information or verification is required.

Travel Obligations to Be Aware Of  

• Travel facilities cannot be extended
• Remaining travel facilities from previous visas cannot be carried over
• The grant of an RRV cannot be postponed
• Returning to Australia on a temporary visa without a valid travel facility may affect permanent resident entitlements and future applications

Travel facility expiry dates can be checked through VEVO

Family Members and RRV Applications

Family members cannot be included as secondary applicants in a Resident Return Visa application.

However, you should declare immediate family members who are Australian citizens or permanent residents if family ties are relied upon as part of your substantial ties claim

FAQ Section for Resident Return Visa