Resident Return Visa

Resident Return visa (subclasses 155 and 157)

Once you have been granted a permanent visa it has an initial five (5) year validity period. This validity period is essentially a travel facility. If you remain in Australia beyond the five years your permanent residence does not expire, only your ability to depart and then re-enter Australia as a permanent resident is affected.

FIVE YEAR RRV

To obtain a new five (5) year travel facility (called a resident return visa, or RRV) the basic criteria is that you have spent at least two (2) years out of the last five (5) physically present in Australia as the holder of a permanent visa.

ONE YEAR RRV

If you cannot meet the ‘2 in 5’ requirement you may be eligible for a resident return visa with one year travel validity. As noted above, if you remain in Australia beyond the one year validity period your permanent residence does not expire, only your ability to depart and then re-enter Australia as a permanent resident is affected.

To meet the requirements for the one year RRV you must demonstrate that you have substantial ties to Australia that are of benefit to Australia. Substantial ties can be under any of the following:

Business
Employment
Family
Cultural

THREE MONTH RRV

Permanent residents who have less than 2 years’ physical presence in Australia and who have not yet established substantial ties of benefit to Australia may be eligible for a three month RRV. For example, you may have settled in Australia when nearing the end of your migrant travel facility and need to travel overseas before you have established substantial ties.

As above, if you remain in Australia beyond the 3 month validity period your permanent residence does not expire, only your ability to depart and then re-enter Australia as a permanent resident is affected.

The process

You can apply online right now, without providing any documents, if:

you are a permanent resident
you have resided in Australia for a total of at least 2 years within the last 5 years
your name and date of birth have not changed since grant of your last visa.

Or, read information about:

eligibility criteria
the visa, including what happens if you do not meet the 2 in 5 years residence requirement
the steps to apply, including the documents you might need to provide.

Processing time

Processing times change often. Online subclass 155 applications that clearly meet the 2 in 5 years residence requirement are usually decided quickly, often within days. Applications that rely on substantial ties, or a subclass 157 application that relies on compelling and compassionate reasons, take longer because they are assessed on their evidence. Apply well before you plan to travel.

Eligibility

Residence status

You must be:

an Australian permanent resident
a former Australian permanent resident whose last permanent visa was not cancelled
a former Australian citizen who lost or renounced their citizenship.

Passport

You must have a valid passport.

Character

You must meet the character requirements.

Limitations

You are not eligible for this visa if your last permanent visa was cancelled.

The Department will not accept an application if you have received a notice that your permanent business visa might be cancelled.

You should not apply for this visa if you hold:

an Authority To Return (ATR) that was granted between 1 March 1976 and 31 August 1979
a Return Endorsement (RE) that was issued between September 1979 and 31 December 1986
a BF-111

What you can do

Both the 155 and 157 visas are permanent visas. They let you undertake all of the activities that your original permanent visa let you undertake:

stay in Australia indefinitely
work and study in Australia
enrol in Medicare, Australia’s scheme for health-related care and expenses
sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence
travel to and from Australia as many times as you want while the travel facility is valid
apply for Australian citizenship, if eligible.

How the visas differ

The difference between the visas is the length of the travel facility:

Subclass 155 – up to five years from the date of grant.
Subclass 157 – 3 months from date of grant.

Which visa you will get

The visa you are granted depends on the information you provide in your application.

Subclass 155 visa

You might be granted a subclass 155 visa if you either:

meet the resident requirement (5 year travel facility)
have ties of benefit to Australia (1 year travel facility)
are a family member of someone who holds, or has applied for, a Resident Return visa and satisfies the criteria for grant (up to 1 year travel facility).

Subclass 157 visa

You might be granted a subclass 157 visa if all of the following apply to you:

you lawfully spent at least one day but less than two years in the past five years in Australia immediately before you apply for this visa
you were an Australian permanent resident or an Australian citizen the whole time you were in Australia
there is a compelling and compassionate reason for leaving Australia.

If you are outside Australia when you apply

If you have been outside Australia for more than three continuous months immediately before you apply, you must have a compelling and compassionate reason for the absence.

Check Your Travel Facility Before You Book Travel

Your permanent residence does not expire, but the travel facility attached to your visa does. The travel facility is what allows you to leave Australia and come back as a permanent resident. Many people only discover it has expired when they try to check in for a flight home.

You can check the expiry date of your travel facility in your visa grant letter or by using the Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) service run by the Department of Home Affairs. The date to look for is the “must not arrive after” date, which is the last day you can enter Australia on your current visa.

If that date is coming up and you plan to travel, apply for a Resident Return visa before you leave. If you are already overseas and the date has passed, you will need a Resident Return visa granted before you board a flight back to Australia.

How the 2 in 5 Residence Rule Is Counted

The five year subclass 155 visa is the most straightforward option, and it depends on one simple calculation: you must have been in Australia as a permanent resident or Australian citizen for a total of at least two years in the five years before you apply.

The days do not need to be continuous. Short trips overseas are fine, as long as your total time in Australia adds up to two years.
Only time spent in Australia as a permanent resident or citizen counts. Time you spent in Australia on a temporary visa (for example a student, work or bridging visa) before your permanent visa was granted does not count towards the two years.
The five year period is counted back from the date you lodge your application, so the result can change from one month to the next.
Home Affairs checks your answers against its own movement records, so it is worth getting your travel history right before you apply.

2 in 5 rule: three examples

Example 1 (meets the rule): Priya was granted permanent residence five years ago. Since then she has lived in Australia for about three years in total, with several long trips to India. She meets the residence requirement and can expect a five year travel facility.
Example 2 (does not meet the rule yet): David became a permanent resident four years ago but has spent most of that time working in Singapore. He has only 18 months in Australia as a permanent resident. He does not meet the 2 in 5 rule, so he would need to show substantial ties of benefit to Australia for a one year facility, or wait until he has spent more time in Australia.
Example 3 (time on a temporary visa): Mei lived in Australia for four years on student and graduate visas, then became a permanent resident 10 months ago. Only the 10 months as a permanent resident count, so she does not yet meet the 2 in 5 rule.

Showing Substantial Ties of Benefit to Australia

If you do not meet the 2 in 5 rule, you can still be granted a subclass 155 visa with a one year travel facility if you have substantial ties to Australia that are of benefit to Australia. Both parts matter: the ties need to be substantial, and they need to benefit Australia, not just you.

Home Affairs looks at your ties as a whole and weighs them against how long you have been away. The stronger and better documented your ties, the better your chances. Evidence that often helps includes:

Business ties: company registration documents, financial statements, tax returns and evidence that you are personally involved in running an ongoing business in Australia.
Employment ties: a current employment contract or formal job offer in Australia, or evidence that you work overseas for an Australian organisation.
Cultural ties: evidence of artistic, sporting, intellectual or religious work that contributes to Australian community life.
Personal ties: evidence of close family in Australia (such as a partner or children who are Australian citizens or permanent residents), your history of living in Australia, and assets or community involvement here.

Owning a property you rarely use, or keeping an Australian bank account or superannuation fund, is usually not enough on its own. These things can support an application, but they are rarely decisive by themselves.

Absences of Five Years or More: Compelling Reasons

If you have been outside Australia continuously for five years or more, you must show substantial ties and also give compelling reasons for your absence. In practice, compelling reasons are usually reasons that were outside your control, such as:

serious illness or medical treatment, for yourself or a close family member
caring for a seriously ill or elderly relative overseas
legal proceedings you could not leave
natural disasters, conflict or travel restrictions that stopped you returning

Each reason should be backed by documents, such as medical reports, court documents or evidence of the event that prevented your return. A general statement that you were busy with work or family is unlikely to be accepted.

How to Apply for a Resident Return Visa: Step by Step

Check your travel facility. Confirm the expiry date in your grant letter or through VEVO.
Work out your time in Australia. Add up the days you spent in Australia as a permanent resident or citizen in the last five years.
Choose the right visa. If you meet the 2 in 5 rule, apply for the subclass 155. If not, decide whether you can show substantial ties (subclass 155, one year) or whether the subclass 157 for urgent compelling and compassionate travel fits your situation.
Gather your evidence. See the checklist below.
Lodge online and pay the application charge. Each family member lodges their own application.
Respond quickly to any requests. If Home Affairs asks for more information, provide it by the deadline given.
Wait for the grant before you travel. If you are in Australia and your travel facility has expired, do not leave until your new visa is granted. If you are overseas, do not travel to Australia until it is granted.

Document Checklist

For every applicant:

current passport, and details of any previous passports used in the last five years
your visa grant letter or other evidence of your permanent visa or former citizenship
an accurate list of your travel in and out of Australia
evidence of any change of name

If you are relying on substantial ties:

evidence of business, employment, cultural or personal ties, as described above
a written statement explaining your ties and why they benefit Australia

If you have been away for five years or more, or are applying for the 157:

a statement explaining the reasons for your absence or for your urgent travel
documents supporting those reasons, such as medical certificates, death certificates or letters from employers

Documents that are not in English must be translated into English by an accredited translator.

What a Resident Return Visa Costs a Family

The application charge rose sharply on 1 July 2026, to AUD 1,475 for an online application. Because family members cannot be included in one application, each person pays separately. For example, a couple who both need a new travel facility will pay AUD 2,950 in government charges, and each child who applies pays the same charge again. Paper applications cost an extra AUD 80.

With the higher fee, it is worth thinking about how often you will need to apply. If you meet the 2 in 5 rule, a five year facility means fewer applications than repeated one year visas.

Resident Return Visa or Australian Citizenship?

Australian citizens do not need a travel facility, so for many permanent residents citizenship is the long term answer to repeated RRV applications. If you meet the citizenship residence requirement, applying for citizenship may make more sense than paying for another RRV.

Citizenship is not right for everyone. Some countries do not allow dual citizenship, so becoming an Australian citizen could mean losing your original citizenship. You also need to keep a valid travel facility while your citizenship application is being processed if you plan to travel overseas. See our guide on leaving Australia before your citizenship application is finalised.

If Your Application Is Refused

Refusals are most common where an applicant relies on substantial ties without enough evidence, or has a long absence without a clear explanation. If your application is refused:

read the decision record carefully, as it explains why the application did not succeed
check whether you have review rights at the Administrative Review Tribunal. This depends on your circumstances, including where you were when you applied, and the refusal letter will tell you whether review is available and the deadline
consider whether a fresh application with stronger evidence is the better option

Review deadlines are strict, so get advice as soon as you receive a refusal.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Assuming permanent residence and the travel facility are the same thing, and travelling after the facility has expired.
Counting time spent in Australia on a temporary visa towards the 2 in 5 rule.
Applying the day before a flight. Most straightforward applications are decided quickly, but some are not.
Relying on ties without documents to prove them, or on ties that benefit only you, such as an empty investment property.
Leaving out a family member who also needs their own Resident Return visa.
Not explaining a long absence. If you have been away for five years or more, compelling reasons must be set out and supported with evidence.

More questions about the Resident Return visa

Can I travel while my Resident Return visa application is being processed?

Only if your current travel facility is still valid for your return. If it has already expired and you leave Australia, you will not be able to come back as a permanent resident until a new Resident Return visa is granted. It is safest to wait for the grant before you travel.

Should I apply for an RRV well before my travel facility expires?

Not usually. A new Resident Return visa generally gives you a fresh travel facility from the date it is granted, which replaces the time left on your current facility. Applying close to the expiry date, but with enough time for processing before you travel, usually gives you the most value.

Do my children need their own Resident Return visa?

Yes, if they are permanent residents whose travel facility has expired or is about to. Each family member applies separately. If a family member does not meet the requirements on their own, they may still be eligible as a member of the family of a person who holds or has applied for a Resident Return visa.

Is owning a home in Australia enough for substantial ties?

Usually not on its own. A property can support your application, but Home Affairs generally looks for stronger ties of benefit to Australia, such as an active business, a job, or close family living here.

Can a former Australian citizen apply for a Resident Return visa?

Yes. A former Australian citizen who lost or renounced their citizenship can apply, as can a current or former permanent resident whose permanent visa was not cancelled. The same 2 in 5 rule, substantial ties and compelling reasons tests apply.

Settle in Australia guides

Citizenship and resident return news

Cost

AUD 1,475 to apply online, for both the subclass 155 and 157. This fee has applied since 1 July 2026 (before then it was $490 for the 155 and $570 for the 157), and the fee you pay depends on the date you lodge. If you lodge a paper application, a non-internet charge of $80 may also apply. A lower cost applies to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens.

While they usually do not occur, if there are any additional costs associated with this visa, you are responsible for them.

Estimate the cost of your application

The visa pricing estimator is an online tool that calculates the total cost of your visa.

Location

If you are in Australia and the travel facility on your current visa has, or is, about to expire, you need to apply for, and be granted, an RRV before you leave Australia.

You can apply for the visa outside Australia, but it must be granted before you enter Australia.

How long the visas last

The subclass 155 and 157 visas are permanent visas, however, this does not mean that the visa always lasts indefinitely.

If you do not travel outside Australia the visa lasts indefinitely (it does not end) and you will not become unlawful when the travel facility ends
If you do travel outside Australia after the travel facility on the visa ends, the visa will end when you leave Australia. So it is best to apply for another Resident Return visa before you leave Australia. You can also apply from overseas.

How long the travel facility lasts

The length of the travel facility attached to your visa depends on information in your application and the visa subclass you are granted.

When your travel facility ends you can stay in Australia as a permanent resident, but you need a new RRV before you next travel. New Zealand citizens should take particular care: you can still enter Australia on your New Zealand passport and be granted a Special Category visa on arrival, but if you travel after your travel facility has ended, your Australian permanent visa ends when you leave. This can affect your citizenship eligibility, so check your position before you travel.

Family

You cannot include family members in your application. Each family member must complete their own application.

Your obligations

You and your family members must comply with Australian laws.

Who qualifies for returning resident visa?

Subclass 155 Resident Return visa: you might be granted this visa with a 5 year travel facility if you have spent a total of at least two of the last five years in Australia as an Australian permanent resident or citizen (the ‘residence requirement’). If you do not meet the residence requirement but have substantial business, employment, family or cultural ties of benefit to Australia, you may be granted a subclass 155 with a travel facility of up to 12 months. Subclass 157 Resident Return visa: for people who spent less than two years in Australia in the last five years and have a compelling and compassionate reason for travel, with a 3 month travel facility.

How long does a Resident Return visa last?

When an RRV application is lodged, applicants are assessed against the criteria for both subclass 155 and 157 visas. If the requirements for subclass 155 RRV are met you may get a 5 year visa and if not met, and the applicant is eligible for a subclass 157 RRV, the maximum travel facility that can be granted with a subclass 157 RRV is 3 months.

What is the purpose of a Resident Return visa?

If you leave Australia after your travel validity expires, or it expires when you are outside Australia, you will not be able to return to Australia as a permanent resident. This visa allows you to return as a permanent resident.

Who needs a Resident Return visa in Australia?

The Resident Return visa (subclasses 155 and 157) is for current or former Australian permanent residents and former Australian citizens who want to travel overseas and retain their permanent resident status.

Can I lose my Australian permanent residency?

If you spend too long outside of Australia, you can lose your permanent residency status. You may be able to regain your permanent residency status if you meet certain criteria.

How much is the resident return visa fee in Australia?

Since 1 July 2026, the application charge is AUD 1,475 to apply online for both the subclass 155 and 157 visas (it was $490 for the 155 and $570 for the 157 before that date). A non-internet charge of $80 may apply to paper applications.

Can I apply for a Resident Return visa from outside Australia?

Yes. You can apply in or outside Australia, but the visa must be granted before you travel back to Australia. If you have been outside Australia for more than three continuous months before you apply for a subclass 157, you must also show a compelling and compassionate reason for that absence.

Does travel on an RRV affect my citizenship application?

It can. The citizenship residence requirement limits your time outside Australia to 12 months in total in the four years before you apply, including no more than 90 days in the last 12 months. If you are planning long trips, check whether applying for citizenship first is the better option.