Resident Return Visa (Subclass 155 & 157) | Wintr Consulting

Resident Return Visa (Subclass 155 & 157)

Renew your travel facility and maintain your permanent resident status in Australia.

When a permanent resident visa is first granted, its travel facility is 5 years. Once it is granted, you hold the right to remain in Australia indefinitely as a permanent resident. What does expire is the 5 year travel facility.

Travel Facility vs. Residency

If you never leave Australia again after your 5-year travel facility expires, you do not need to renew your PR. You can remain in Australia lawfully forever as a permanent resident, even after the travel facility has lapsed. The RRV is only required if you wish to travel overseas and return.

Visa Options

The Resident Return Visa (RRV) allows Australian permanent residents, certain former permanent residents, or certain former Australian citizens, to travel to and from Australia and maintain their status as permanent residents.

Subclass 155 (5 Year RRV)

Requirements:

You must have been physically present in Australia for at least two years (730 days) during the five years immediately before applying, while holding permanent resident or citizen status.
If you do not meet this requirement, you may still be eligible by evidencing substantial ties to Australia (business, employment, cultural or personal). If relying on substantial ties, the travel facility grant may be a reduced duration of one year.

Subclass 157 (3 Month RRV)

For applicants who do not meet the Subclass 155 criteria.

Requirements:

You must have been lawfully in Australia for at least one day in the last five years as a permanent resident or citizen.
You do not meet (or cannot satisfy) the requirements for subclass 155.
You must show compelling and compassionate reasons for your absence from Australia.

Case Study: Subclass 155 Resident Return Visa

Scenario: Your permanent visa was granted several years ago, but life delayed your move to Australia. Global events such as the pandemic restricted international travel. You eventually move to Australia but relocate overseas again after a longer time. You now wish to return to Australia but there is very little time remaining on your travel facility. You know you need to travel again so you are looking to apply for the Resident Return Visa, but you are concerned because you have not lived in Australia for two years since your permanent residency visa was granted.

Outcome: If this sounds familiar, book your consultation today. Based on real cases with successful outcomes at Wintr Consulting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between subclass 155 and subclass 157?

Subclass 155 is the standard RRV, with a travel facility of up to 5 years if you meet the residence test. Subclass 157 is only valid for up to 3 months and is generally used when you cannot meet Subclass 155 criteria but have compelling or compassionate reasons.

Can I apply for subclass 155 or 157 from inside or outside Australia?

Yes. You can apply either while in Australia or overseas. If overseas, you must wait for the grant before returning as a permanent resident.

Can family members be included in the same application?

No. Each person, including children, must lodge their own RRV application.

Do I need a migration agent to apply?

No, but many applicants use an agent if their case involves complex absence periods, substantial ties, or compelling circumstances.

What counts as compelling reasons for a Subclass 157?

Examples include caring for a seriously ill relative overseas, delays caused by natural disasters, or restrictions such as pandemic border closures.

What if I’ve been outside Australia for more than 5 years?

You must show either compelling reasons for the absence (for subclass 157) or strong substantial ties of benefit to Australia (for subclass 155).

Does time in Australia on a temporary visa count toward the requirement?

No. Only time spent in Australia as a permanent resident or citizen counts towards the requirement for both subclass 155 and subclass 157.

What is meant by “substantial ties of benefit to Australia”?

Ties can be employment (work offers or memberships), business (owning or operating), cultural/community (membership in organisations), or personal (close family in Australia). They must show benefit to Australia.

If I hold a subclass 157, can I later apply for subclass 155?

Yes. Once you return to Australia and build residence or ties, you may later apply for subclass 155 with a longer travel facility.

Can I travel multiple times on a Subclass 157?

Yes, but only within the 3-month travel facility period. After it expires, you cannot re-enter unless you apply for another RRV.

What happens if my RRV application is refused?

If refused inside Australia, you may have access to review at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. If refused outside, you cannot return as a permanent resident until a new visa is granted.

Do subclass 155 or 157 RRVs help with citizenship eligibility?

Yes. Time spent in Australia as a permanent resident on either visa counts towards the residence requirement for Australian citizenship.