01
Who May Need an RRV?
You may need to apply for a Resident Return Visa if you:
Are an Australian permanent resident
Plan to travel outside Australia
Have an expired or expiring permanent-visa travel facility
Are outside Australia and need to return as a permanent resident
Are a qualifying former Australian permanent resident or former citizen
Permanent residents who are already in Australia and do not intend to travel generally do not need an RRV. Applicants should first check their current visa and travel-facility details through VEVO.
155
Resident Return Visa Subclass 155
Subclass 155 is the main Resident Return Visa. The travel-facility period granted depends on the applicant’s residence history and connection to Australia.
Five-Year Travel Facility
Applicants may qualify for a travel facility of up to five years if they have spent at least two years in Australia as a permanent resident or Australian citizen during the five years immediately before applying.
One-Year Travel Facility
Applicants who do not meet the two-year residence requirement may still be considered for a travel facility of up to one year if they can demonstrate substantial business, cultural, employment or personal ties that benefit Australia.
Applicants outside Australia may also need to explain any continuous absence from Australia of five years or more and demonstrate compelling reasons for that absence.
157
Resident Return Visa Subclass 157
Subclass 157 may provide a travel facility of up to three months in limited circumstances.
Applicants generally need to show that they:
Were lawfully present in Australia for at least one day during the five years before applying
Spent less than two years in Australia during that period
Were an Australian permanent resident or citizen during their time in Australia
Have a compelling and compassionate reason for leaving Australia
Where the applicant has remained outside Australia for more than three continuous months immediately before applying, compelling and compassionate reasons for the absence may also be required.
02
Evidence of Ties to Australia
Applicants who do not meet the standard residence requirement may need to provide evidence of substantial ties to Australia.
Relevant ties may include:
Employment or an Australian job offer
Business ownership or active business interests
Immediate family members living in Australia
Long-term residence or established community connections
Property, financial or personal commitments
Cultural, professional or community involvement
A clear intention to return and settle in Australia
The strength, benefit and continuity of the applicant’s ties are assessed according to their individual circumstances.
Important Information
An RRV does not provide Australian citizenship.
The visa allows permanent residents to return to Australia during the approved travel-facility period.
There is no fixed limit on the number of RRVs an eligible person may apply for.
An applicant can generally apply while inside or outside Australia, but not while in immigration clearance.
A new RRV should preferably be obtained before travelling if the existing travel facility is likely to expire while overseas.
Australian citizens cannot apply for an RRV and should travel using an Australian passport.
Australia RRV
Return to Australia With Confidence
Planning international travel or currently outside Australia without a valid travel facility?
Eligibility, visa validity, government fees and processing times are subject to change. Visa approval and the duration of the travel facility are determined exclusively by the Australian Department of Home Affairs.
