Resident Return Visas

What is a Resident Return Visa ?

A Resident Return Visa is a temporary visa that enables Australian Permanent Residents to travel overseas and return to Australia while maintaining their permanent residency status. The visa is issued for a period of up to five years, depending on your circumstances. There are two main subclasses of the Resident Return Visa:

Who Needs a Resident Return Visa?

You need to apply for a Resident Return Visa if:

Your Permanent Residency (PR) visa’s five-year travel facility has expired, and you want to travel outside of Australia.
You are a permanent resident who has been outside Australia for more than five years but wish to return to Australia.
You want to leave the country after your travel facility expires and re-enter Australiawithout losing your permanent residency status.

Even though you may have been granted permanent residency, your ability to return to Australia depends on your current travel status. If your five-year travel facility has expired, an RRV ensures that you can continue enjoying the benefits of your permanent residency while traveling overseas.

Eligibility for a Resident Return Visa

Eligibility for a Resident Return Visa depends on the amount of time you have spent in Australia during your permanent residency and your ties to the country. To be eligible for a Subclass 155 Resident Return Visa, you generally need to meet one of the following criteria:

Spent at Least Two Years in Australia as a Permanent Resident:
- If you have lived in Australia for at least two years out of the last five years, you may be eligible for a Subclass 155 RRV. This requirement ensures that you have maintained strong ties to Australia and can demonstrate your intention to continue living in the country.
No Time Requirement (Special Circumstances):
- If you have strong ties to Australia, such as a job, close family members, or business interests, you may still be eligible for an RRVeven if you haven’t lived in the country for two years. This is often referred to as the “strong ties” requirement, and it considers factors like:
  - A spouse or children who are Australian citizens or permanent residents.
  - Ownership of a business or investment in Australia.
  - Ongoing financial or cultural ties with the country.

Applying for a Subclass 157 Visa (Short-Term Return):
- If you don’t meet the two-year requirement or the “strong ties” criteria, you may still be eligible for a Subclass 157 visa. This visa is generally granted for one year, and it requires you to demonstrate that you are still a permanent resident, even though you have been outside the country for an extended period.

Why You Need a Resident Return Visa

There are several important reasons to apply for a Resident Return Visa if your travel facility is about to expire:

Maintaining Permanent Residency Status:
- The most crucial reason to apply for an RRV is to maintain your Permanent Residency (PR) statusin Australia. Without a valid RRV, you could lose your PR status and may no longer have the right to live, work, or study in Australia.
Ensuring Re-Entry to Australia:
- If your travel facility expires and you wish to return to Australia after spending time overseas, you must have an RRV to ensure that you will be granted entry. The Australian Government will not allow you to re-enter the country if your travel facility has expired, and you do not have an RRV.
Avoiding Complications:
- Applying for an RRV before your travel facility expires can help avoid complications when traveling. Without a valid RRV, you may encounter delays or difficulties when attempting to re-enter Australia, especially if you have been outside the country for a long period.
Travel Flexibility:
- With a valid RRV, you can freely travel in and out of Australia without having to worry about the expiration of your PR visa’s travel facility. This provides greater flexibility for work, family visits, or vacations while maintaining your permanent residency status.