Resident Return Visa (Subclass 155 and 157): Complete 2026 Guide

Why You Might Need a Resident Return Visa

When you are granted permanent residence in Australia — through a partner visa, skilled visa, employer-sponsored visa, or any other pathway — your visa includes a travel facility that allows you to leave and re-enter Australia as a permanent resident. For most permanent visas, this travel facility is valid for five years from the date of grant. After five years, if you leave Australia, you cannot re-enter as a permanent resident on your existing visa — the travel component has expired. Your permanent residence itself has not expired (it is permanent), but you need a new travel document to re-enter. The Resident Return Visa is that document. It restores your ability to travel in and out of Australia as a permanent resident.

Subclass 155 vs Subclass 157

There are two types of Resident Return Visa. The Subclass 155 is a five-year RRV. It is granted to permanent residents who have lived in Australia for two years in the five years before applying, or who have close business, cultural, employment, or personal ties to Australia that are of benefit to Australia. The Subclass 157 is a three-month RRV. It is a short-stay visa for permanent residents who do not qualify for the 155 but have compelling and compassionate reasons for needing to return to Australia — for example, a family emergency or urgent medical treatment. The 157 is intended as a one-off solution, not a long-term travel document. Most permanent residents who have maintained genuine links to Australia apply for the 155.

The Two-Year Residence Requirement

The simplest way to qualify for the Subclass 155 is to have been physically present in Australia for at least two years in the five years immediately before you apply. If you can demonstrate this, the 155 is generally granted without needing to argue substantial ties. If you have not been in Australia for two years in the past five — for example, because you have been living abroad for work or family reasons — you need to demonstrate substantial ties to Australia of benefit to Australia. This is a more subjective test and the outcome is less predictable.

Substantial Ties: What the Department Considers

If you do not meet the two-year residence test, the Department assesses whether you have substantial ties to Australia. Ties that are typically considered include: employment ties — you work for an Australian company or organisation and your work benefits Australia; business ties — you own or operate a business in Australia; cultural ties — you are involved in Australian cultural, educational, or sporting activities; and personal ties — your immediate family members are Australian citizens or permanent residents living in Australia. The key phrase is 'of benefit to Australia' — the Department is looking for evidence that your connection to Australia is ongoing and meaningful, not just historical. A migration agent can help you frame and evidence your ties effectively if you do not meet the two-year rule.

How to Apply and Processing Times

The RRV application is lodged online through ImmiAccount. You can apply from inside or outside Australia, but you must have a valid travel document (passport) to re-enter. Application fee for the Subclass 155: AUD $430 (2026 rates). Subclass 157: AUD $430. Additional costs if a migration agent assists: AUD $500–$2,000 depending on complexity — straightforward applications with clear two-year residence evidence are simple; applications relying on substantial ties require more work. Processing times: straightforward 155 applications with clear evidence are often processed within 1–4 weeks. Applications relying on substantial ties can take 4–12 weeks or longer if the Department requests further information.

Does my permanent residence expire when my travel facility expires?

No. Your permanent residence is permanent and does not expire. Only the travel component of your visa expires. You remain a permanent resident — you just cannot re-enter Australia from overseas until you obtain an RRV.

What if my RRV application is refused?

If your RRV is refused, you cannot re-enter Australia as a permanent resident. Your permanent residence status may also be affected. You should seek urgent advice from a migration agent if your RRV is refused while you are overseas.

Can I apply for citizenship instead of an RRV?

If you are eligible for Australian citizenship, applying for citizenship is often a better long-term solution than repeatedly renewing an RRV — as an Australian citizen you have an unrestricted right to enter Australia. Citizenship generally requires four years of lawful residence including one year as a permanent resident.

My family member is a permanent resident stuck overseas with an expired travel facility — what should they do?

They should apply for an RRV immediately from their current location via ImmiAccount. If they have a compelling reason to return urgently (medical, family emergency), they may qualify for the 157 while the 155 is assessed. Contact a migration agent to advise on the fastest pathway.