RESIDENT RETURN VISAS

RESIDENT RETURN VISAS

The Resident Return Visas (Subclass 155 & Subclass 157) are for current or former Australian permanent residents and former Australian citizens who want to travel overseas and return to Australia as permanent residents and to live in Australia indefinitely.

These visas are usually issued with a 5 years or 3 months travel facility, which allows you to travel to and from Australia for up to five years from the date it is granted. Once the travel facility expires you will need to apply for, and be granted, another permanent visa if you want to leave Australia and return as a permanent resident. This visa will let you keep or regain your status as an Australian permanent resident.

To be eligible for a Subclass 155 with 5 years travel facility, you must:

  1. Be a current Australian permanent resident or a former Australian permanent resident whose visa is not being cancelled or is a former Australian citizen.

  1. Have spent a period totaling 2 years in the last 5 years in Australia as either an Australian permanent resident or citizen.

  1. Have not spent 2 of the last 5 years in Australia as a permanent resident or citizen, but are the partner or dependent family member of a person who holds a Subclass 155 visa, or who has also applied for a Resident Return Visa and satisfies criteria for grant.

  2. Have not spent two of the last five years in Australia as a permanent resident or citizen, but can satisfy the processing officer that you have substantial business, cultural, employment or personal ties of benefit to Australia and

  • Lodging while in Australia and can show compelling reasons for any continuous absence from Australia of more than 5 years;

  • Lodging while overseas, were a permanent resident or citizen when you last departed Australia and can show compelling reasons for any continuous absence from Australia for more than 5 years;

  • Lodging while overseas, were a permanent resident or citizen in the last 10 years and can show compelling reasons for absence(s) over 5 years;

If you have not spent 2 of the last 5 years in Australia as a permanent resident or citizen, but can show and is satisfied by the case officer that you have substantial business, cultural, employment or personal ties of benefit to Australia. Your travel facility will be for 1 year from the date of grant.

To be eligible for a Subclass 157 with 3 months travel facility, you must:

  • Have lawfully spent at least 1 day in the past 5 years in Australia

  • Have spent less than 2 years in the past 5 years in Australia

  • Have been a permanent resident or an Australian Citizen for the entire period spent in Australia

  • Have ‘compelling and compassionate reasons’ that caused your last departure from Australia or if you are in Australia and need to travel, you can show a compelling and compassionate reason for having to leave Australia

If you have been living outside Australia for more than three continuous months immediately before applying, you must also show that you were absent for a compelling and compassionate reason.

Contact Us now to check if you are eligible to apply for a Resident Return Visa.