Australian Resident Return Visa (RRV) – Subclasses 155 & 157

If you hold an Australian permanent visa, you probably received a 5-year travel facility when it was granted. That travel facility allows you to leave Australia and re enter Australia as many times as you like during those five years. But what happens when that period ends? For most permanent residents, the answer is the Resident Return Visa.

This guide covers everything you need to know about the resident return visa, including eligibility criteria, the different travel periods available, documents required, and how to apply online through the Department of Home Affairs.

Quick answer: Do I need an Australian Resident Return visa?

Most permanent visas granted to Australian permanent residents include an initial travel facility of up to five years from the grant date. After this period expires, you generally need a Resident Return Visa (RRV) to re enter Australia while maintaining your permanent resident status.

You need an RRV if:

• You hold (or previously held) a permanent visa and are outside Australia, and your 5-year travel facility has expired or will expire before you return
• You are a former Australian permanent resident whose last permanent visa was not cancelled and you want to resume permanent residence
• You are among the former Australian citizens who lost or renounced citizenship and wish to return as a permanent resident

Concrete example: If your original permanent visa was granted on 10 March 2019, your travel validity expires on 10 March 2024. Any travel overseas after that date normally requires an RRV before you can return to Australia as a permanent resident.

Here’s the critical point many people misunderstand: your permanent residency status does not automatically end when the 5-year period expires. You can stay in Australia indefinitely as a permanent resident. What expires is your ability to leave Australia and return on that visa. If you depart without a valid travel facility attached to your permanent visa, you may find yourself unable to board your flight back.

The two main RRV subclasses are 155 and 157. The rest of this article explains eligibility, the different time periods (5-year, 1-year, 3-month), and the application process.

What is an Australian Resident Return visa?

The Resident Return Visa is the primary mechanism for Australian permanent residents and some former residents or citizens to maintain or restore their travel rights. It allows permanent visa holders to continue departing and re-entering Australia without losing their resident status.

There are two subclasses:

• Subclass 155 is the standard RRV for most permanent residents, offering either a 5-year or 1-year travel facility depending on eligibility
• Subclass 157 is a shorter, more limited RRV used in specific situations involving compelling and compassionate reasons

An RRV serves specific functions:

• It reinstates or extends the travel facility linked to your permanent residence
• It does not grant Australian citizenship
• It does not by itself restore permanent residence if your last visa was cancelled
• It allows you to travel in and out of Australia for the granted period

There is no limit to the number of times you can apply for an RRV. However, each visa application involves paying the resident return visa fee, and you must meet the eligibility criteria on each occasion. Someone who has lived overseas for extended periods may find each application increasingly scrutinised.

How the 5-year travel facility and resident status work

When you receive a permanent visa, it typically comes with an initial 5-year travel facility from the grant date. For example, if you were granted a Skilled Independent (subclass 189) visa on 1 July 2022 in an occupation listed on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), your travel validity would extend to 1 July 2027. .

Understanding the relationship between permanent residence and travel facility is essential:

Being in Australia when travel validity expires: You can continue living lawfully in Australia. Your current visa remains valid for residence purposes. However, if you departed Australia without obtaining an RRV first, you would not be able to return as a permanent resident.

Being outside Australia when travel validity expires: This is more problematic. Without a valid travel facility, airlines may refuse to board you, and you cannot enter Australia on your permanent visa. You would need to apply for an RRV from overseas—or potentially enter on a temporary visa like a visitor visa, which would not include work rights or Medicare access.

The risk of not planning ahead is significant. If your travel facility expires while you are overseas and you cannot meet RRV eligibility, you may have to enter on a temporary visa and sort out your permanent status from within Australia. This can create gaps in employment and healthcare coverage.

Types of Resident Return visas and travel periods

The Department of Home Affairs can grant different travel periods on an RRV depending on how much time you have spent in Australia and your ties to the country. The type of visa you receive determines how long you can continue travelling in and out before needing another RRV.

The general pattern works as follows:

• Meeting the “two years in the last five” rule typically leads to a 5-year RRV
• Demonstrating substantial ties of benefit to Australia but with less residence often results in a 1-year RRV
• Having compelling circumstances but minimal Australian residence may result in a 3-month RRV

All three visa types preserve or restore your permanent resident status for travel purposes. The difference lies only in how long you can keep leaving and re-entering Australia before needing to apply again.

Five-year Resident Return visa (Subclass 155 – 5-year grant)

The 5-year RRV is the most favourable outcome and provides maximum travel facility. It is usually granted when you meet the “2 years in 5 years” residence requirement.

Eligibility requirements:

• You must have been physically present in Australia as a permanent resident for at least 730 days (2 years) in the 5 years immediately before your RRV application
• The 730 days do not need to be continuous—you can add up multiple trips and stays
• Time spent in Australia before you became a permanent resident does not count towards the 730 days
• You must meet character requirements

Worked example: Maria became a permanent resident on 15 January 2021. Between that date and 1 March 2026, she spent a total of 750 days in Australia as a permanent resident, with several trips overseas for work and holidays. When she applies for an RRV in March 2026, she can demonstrate more than 730 days of residence and should qualify for a 5-year RRV.

Benefits of the 5-year RRV:

• A new travel facility of up to five years from the date of grant
• Ability to continue working, studying, and accessing Medicare as a permanent resident
• Multiple entries allowed during the 5-year period
• Strongest pathway toward eventually qualifying for Australian citizenship

If you do not meet the 730-day threshold, you may still qualify for a shorter RRV based on your ties to Australia or compelling circumstances.

One-year Resident Return visa (Subclass 155 – 1-year grant)

The 1-year RRV is designed for permanent residents and some former residents who have spent less than 2 years in Australia over the last 5 years but can demonstrate substantial ties that benefit Australia.

Main eligibility criteria:

• You are an Australian permanent resident or former permanent resident whose last permanent visa was not cancelled
• You have spent at least 1 day in Australia as a permanent resident in the relevant period, but not enough to meet the 730-day rule
• You can demonstrate substantial ties of benefit to Australia

What counts as substantial ties?

The Department assesses ties across four categories:

Scenario example: James became a permanent resident in 2023 and lived in Australia for 10 months. In 2024, his employer transferred him to their Singapore office for a two-year assignment. He maintains a home in Sydney where his Australian citizen partner and children live. Despite only 10 months of residence, James may qualify for a 1-year RRV based on his personal ties (family member relationships) and employment ties (Australian employer).

The 1-year RRV grants 12 months of travel facility. After that period, you can apply again. Over time, by spending more time in Australia, you may accumulate enough residence to qualify for a 5-year RRV.

Three-month Resident Return visa (Subclass 157)

Subclass 157 is a more limited RRV, usually granted for up to 3 months. It applies where applicants have compelling reasons for having spent little or no time in Australia as a permanent resident.

Key eligibility points:

• You are a permanent resident who has spent at least 1 day lawfully in Australia as a permanent resident in the 5 years before applying, OR
• You were a permanent resident or Australian citizen who departed Australia before 1 September 1994 and have not returned since
• You have compelling and compassionate reasons for leaving Australia or for staying outside Australia for an extended period

Examples of compelling and compassionate reasons:

• Medical emergencies involving close family overseas that required your extended presence
• Natural disasters, armed conflict, or political upheaval in the country where you were staying that prevented return
• Serious personal hardship that made earlier return to Australia impossible
• Legal proceedings in another country requiring your attendance
• Care responsibilities for seriously ill family members overseas

The 3-month travel facility allows you to return to Australia, resume residence, and then potentially build eligibility for a longer-term RRV in future applications. This visa depends on discretionary assessment and often requires detailed evidence supporting your circumstances.

Documentation is critical for subclass 157 applications. You should provide medical records, death certificates, evidence of natural disasters or conflict, and any other documentation that explains why you could not return to Australia sooner.

Eligibility for former permanent residents and former Australian citizens

Some people who used to hold permanent residence or Australian citizenship can use an RRV to return to Australia as permanent residents.

Former permanent residents:

• Your last permanent visa must not have been cancelled
• You must meet either residence requirements (730 days) or demonstrate substantial ties plus compelling reasons, similar to current permanent residents
• You apply through the same RRV process

Former Australian citizens:

• Individuals who renounced citizenship or lost it (for example, before changes in citizenship law on 20 August 1986) may qualify for an RRV if they previously held permanent residence
• You must still meet character requirements
• You must demonstrate ties or compelling reasons as applicable

Scenario example: David migrated to Australia in 1982, became a citizen in 1988, then renounced citizenship in 2005 to take up citizenship of another country that did not permit dual nationality. He may be able to apply for an RRV to resume permanent residence in Australia, provided he meets character requirements and can demonstrate ties or compelling circumstances.

Note that character checks (such as police certificates from countries where you have lived) can be requested during processing. An adverse character finding based on criminal history or other factors can result in refusal under Australian laws.

There is also a historical exception: people whose permanent residency was granted between 1 March 1976 and 31 December 1986 may hold an Authority to Return (ATR) or Return Endorsement (RE) document. If you have one of these, you may not need an RRV and can travel using these alternative documents.

Application process and documents for an RRV

Most RRV applications are lodged online through the Department of Home Affairs’ ImmiAccount system. You can apply online whether you are inside or outside Australia.

Step-by-step process:

1. Confirm your current visa status – Check the expiry date of your travel facility using VEVO (Visa Entitlement Verification Online) or your visa grant letter
2. Create or log into ImmiAccount – Access the Department of Home Affairs portal and select “Resident Return (subclasses 155 and 157)” application
3. Complete all required questions – This includes your personal details and travel history for the last 5 years
4. Upload supporting documents – Provide evidence of time in Australia, evidence of ties, and evidence of compelling circumstances if needed
5. Pay the visa application charge and submit – Keep your receipt and application reference number

Common documents required:

For straightforward 5-year RRV applications where Department systems can confirm the 730-day residence requirement, decisions can sometimes be automatic and issued within minutes. More complex cases relying on substantial ties or compelling circumstances can take weeks or months.

Important tips:

• Avoid booking non-refundable travel arrangements until your visa is granted
• Keep copies of all submitted documents
• Ensure your current passport is valid for the period you intend to travel

New Zealand passport holders should note that while they may enter Australia on a Special Category Visa, they are not automatically permanent residents and the RRV process is different for them, just as skilled migrants sponsored in occupations on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) follow distinct visa pathways. .

Costs, processing times, and practical tips

Fees and processing times change regularly. At the time of application, check the Department of Home Affairs website for the current resident return visa fee. As a general guide, expect the fee to be several hundred Australian dollars.

Processing times vary based on application type:

Urgent travel considerations:

If you have urgent travel plans and your application is taking longer than expected, you can request expedition by providing evidence such as paid flight tickets or documentation of emergencies. However, expedition is not guaranteed.

Practical tips for RRV applicants:

• Apply well before your planned departure if you are in Australia and your travel facility is close to expiring
• Keep detailed records of your entry and exit dates throughout your permanent residency
• Maintain updated documentation of your ties (employment contracts, property documents, family records) to make repeat RRV applications easier
• If applying from overseas, ensure you have access to certified copies of documents

If your application is refused:

• Some decisions can be reviewed by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) if you lodged from within Australia
• Review applications typically have strict time limits (often 21 days from decision notification)
• Not all refusals are reviewable—check the decision letter for your options
• A registered migration agent can provide immigration assistance with review applications

Common scenarios and frequently asked issues

This section addresses situations RRV applicants commonly face.

“My 5-year travel facility expired while I am in Australia”

You can remain lawfully in Australia. Your permanent visa is still valid for residence purposes—you can continue to work, study, and access Medicare. However, you need an RRV before you leave Australia if you want to return to Australia as a permanent resident. If you depart without one, you may not be able to board your return flight.

“I have not lived in Australia for many years”

You may still be eligible based on substantial ties or compelling circumstances, but the outcome is more uncertain. The longer you have been away, the stronger your evidence needs to be. If your last permanent visa was not cancelled, you remain a permanent resident in terms of residence rights—but proving eligibility for an RRV becomes harder with extended absences.

“My partner and children are Australian citizens, but I live overseas for work”

Having an Australian citizen partner and citizen children living in Australia provides strong personal ties. Combined with employment ties (if working for an Australian company overseas), this scenario often supports a 1-year RRV. Document your de facto relationship or marriage certificate and the children’s birth certificates showing their citizenship.

“Can I apply for multiple RRVs over time?”

Yes. There is no maximum number of RRVs you can apply for. However, you must continue to meet eligibility criteria and pay the fee each time. If you repeatedly fail to spend significant time in Australia, your ties may weaken, making future applications harder.

“What if I enter Australia on a temporary visa instead of an RRV?”

If you enter on a temporary visa (such as a visitor visa), you do not have the rights of a permanent resident until an RRV or other permanent visa is granted. This means no work rights, no Medicare, and no pathway to citizenship during that period. It’s generally better to resolve your RRV situation before travelling.

“What about family members?”

Any family member who is also a permanent resident and needs to travel requires their own RRV. You cannot include a family unit on a single application—separate applications must be made for each person.

Summary: Keeping your Australian permanent resident travel rights

Permanent residence in Australia is generally indefinite—you can stay in Australia permanently once your visa is granted. However, your travel rights are not indefinite. The Resident Return Visa (subclasses 155 and 157) is the key mechanism to maintain or restore those travel rights after your initial 5-year travel facility expires.

Key takeaways:

• Check the expiry date of your travel facility before making any travel plans
• Aim to accumulate at least 2 years of physical presence in Australia within each 5-year period to qualify for the maximum travel facility
• If you cannot meet the 730-day requirement, gather evidence of substantial ties (business ties, personal ties, cultural ties, employment ties) or compelling reasons to support a 1-year or 3-month RRV
• Apply early—don’t wait until the week before your departure
• Keep organised records of your time in Australia and documentation of your ties
• If your situation is complex—extended overseas periods, a former permanent resident trying to return, or character concerns—seek advice from a registered migration agent who can provide immigration assistance

Planning ahead and maintaining strong connections to Australia will make each RRV application smoother. For most permanent residents who spend regular time in Australia, the 5-year RRV becomes a straightforward renewal process, keeping your travel rights intact for years to come.