If your Australian permanent residency (PR) visa’s travel facility has expired, you may still have a pathway back to Australia. The Resident Return Visa Australia (RRV) is designed specifically for former or current permanent residents whose PR has not been cancelled, allowing them to restore their ability to travel to and from Australia without reapplying for permanent residency from scratch.
Whether you previously lived in Australia or held PR but never settled there, the RRV can help you enter or re-enter Australia, provided your permanent residency hasn’t been cancelled and you meet the eligibility criteria.
Losing your ability to travel to and from Australia as a permanent resident doesn’t necessarily mean your migration journey is over. The Resident Return Visa (RRV) is a powerful (and often underutilised) pathway that allows eligible former or current permanent residents to regain their travel rights and resume their connection with Australia. Whether you previously held PR and never moved, or lived in Australia and have been absent for several years, an RRV may offer you the opportunity to re-establish your permanent residency status without applying for a new PR visa.
While the RRV is still a permanent visa, it carries unique requirements that set it apart from other PR subclasses. From demonstrating close ties to Australia to justifying long absences with compelling reasons, the RRV application process can be complex and nuanced. Understanding the Subclass 155 – its criteria, and the costs involved – will place you in a much stronger position.
A Resident Return Visa (RRV) is a permanent residency visa designed for individuals who have previously held an Australian permanent residency visa and wish to enter or re-enter and remain in Australia after their travel facility has expired.
Unlike a standard permanent residency visa, which typically provides a five-year travel facility, the RRV allows eligible former or current permanent residents to restore their travel rights and return to Australia once that facility has expired.
Crucially, the RRV does not reinstate permanent residency that has been cancelled: it only applies to those whose permanent residency remains valid but who have lost their travel facility.
Even if a person has never lived in Australia, as long as their original permanent residency was not cancelled and they meet the eligibility criteria (such as demonstrating close ties to Australia or compelling reasons for absence), they may be eligible to apply.
The most common type of RRV is the Subclass 155 visa. For many former or current permanent residents, the RRV is an essential pathway to re-engage with life in Australia, and understanding its specific requirements is vital for a successful application.
A Resident Return Visa (RRV) is a type of permanent residency (PR) visa, but with a very specific purpose. Unlike other permanent residency visas such as the Subclass 189, 190, or 186, which grant PR status to new applicants, the RRV is designed for individuals who already hold (or previously held) PR and want to restore their ability to travel to and from Australia.
While it does not grant new permanent residency, it allows eligible former or current permanent residents retain their status by renewing their travel facility: the permission to enter or re-enter Australia after spending time overseas.
This distinction is important: RRVs are not an alternative to gaining permanent residency for the first time, but a mechanism to preserve your right to travel as a permanent resident when your five-year travel facility has expired, or is about to expire.
This makes them particularly relevant for people who were granted PR but never settled in Australia or left the country for extended periods due to career, family, or personal reasons.
As long as your original permanent residency was never cancelled, and you meet certain eligibility criteria, including demonstrating close ties to Australia and/or providing compelling reasons for your absence, you may still qualify for an RRV.
Eligibility for a Resident Return Visa (RRV) depends on your immigration history and your connection to Australia. Unlike other permanent residency visas, the RRV is only available to individuals who currently hold or previously held permanent resident status, as long as their PR has not been cancelled, or were former Australian citizens.
This means you cannot apply for an RRV if you have never been granted permanent residency or citizenship in the past.
The most common applicants fall into two categories: those who were granted PR, but never moved to Australia before their five-year travel facility expired while they were outside Australia, and those currently living in Australia whose travel facility has expired or is about to expire and want to retain their ability to leave and re-enter the country. As long as your PR status has not been formally cancelled, you may still be eligible to apply.
It’s worth noting that applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis, and decisions are not automatic. Ensuring that your supporting documents clearly demonstrate substantial ties and valid reasons for absence (if required) can significantly improve your chances of success.
Hitchcock & Associates can help you assess your eligibility and guide you through the evidence required to present a strong application.
If you once held Australian permanent residency but your travel facility has expired, you’re likely looking at the Subclass 155 Resident Return Visa (RRV). This is the Department of Home Affairs’ solution for helping permanent residents restore their travel rights when they haven’t been living in Australia for some time. And it’s more common than you might think.
Let’s break it down.
First, a key clarification: the 155 RRV does not give you new permanent residency, it restores your travel facility. Your permanent residency status does not expire (unless it’s been formally cancelled), but the travel rights associated with it do. If your travel facility has expired, you cannot enter or re-enter Australia as a permanent resident unless you obtain an RRV.
The 155 visa is designed to give you those rights back. It restores your ability to return to Australia as a permanent resident, and depending on your circumstances, the length of that visa will vary.
There are generally three durations the Department grants under the Subclass 155:
Five Years: You’ll usually receive a five-year travel facility if you’ve spent at least two of the past five years physically in Australia as a permanent resident. This is the most straightforward scenario.
One Year: If you haven’t met the residency requirement but can show significant ties to Australia (such as having a spouse, children, or business located here) and compelling reasons for absence (in some cases) you may be eligible for a one-year RRV. This stream relies heavily on documented proof of your connection to Australia and compelling reasons for absence.
Three Months: In very limited cases, if you have compelling and compassionate reasons to return and can explain your prolonged absence, the Department may issue a three-month RRV. This is not common and usually applies to urgent or exceptional circumstances.
Yes – your location does matter when applying for a Resident Return Visa (RRV).
Whether you can apply from inside or outside Australia depends on how long you’ve been absent, your travel history, and whether you can meet the relevant eligibility criteria.
If you’ve lived in Australia for at least two of the last five years as a permanent resident, you can apply from onshore or offshore.
If the above does not apply, the application rules below must be followed:
- If your absence has been less than five years, and you have substantial ties to Australia, you may apply from outside Australia.
- If you’ve been absent for five years or more, you’ll need to apply from inside Australia, and you must show both substantial ties and compelling reasons for your extended absence. Your travel history, including how recently and how often you’ve returned, will be taken into account.
Hitchcock & Associates has extensive experience guiding applicants through the nuances of the RRV process and can help you understand what documentation and reasoning will support a strong application.
Applying for a Resident Return Visa (RRV) may seem straightforward at first glance, but each application depends heavily on your unique personal history, previous visa activity, and ties to Australia. To ensure the process is clear and manageable, here’s a step-by-step breakdown for applying for a Subclass 155 RRV.
Before applying, confirm that you hold, or previously held, an Australian permanent residency visa that has not been cancelled. You must either:
- Have spent at least two of the last five years in Australia as a permanent resident or citizen (to qualify for a 5-year RRV), or
- Be able to demonstrate substantial personal, cultural, business or employment ties to Australia (for a 1-year RRV), and in some cases compelling reasons for your absence, or
- Have compelling reasons for your absence from Australia (for a 3-month RRV).
If you’re unsure, a Registered Migration Agent at Hitchcock & Associates can help you assess whether you meet the requirements.
You’ll need to provide strong supporting evidence with your application. Common documents include:
- A copy of your expired or expiring permanent residency visa grant.
- Proof of time spent in Australia (entry/exit records or residency documents).
- Evidence of close ties (e.g. Australian citizen family members, employment contracts, property ownership, ongoing business interests).
- A detailed statement explaining reasons for absence from Australia, if applicable.
- Passport and identity documents.
Remember: The strength of your supporting evidence can significantly influence the outcome of your application.
Applications for the Subclass 155 RRV are submitted online via the Department of Home Affairs’ ImmiAccount portal. You can apply from inside or outside of Australia. Be sure to complete all forms accurately and upload your supporting documentation clearly and completely.
Fees are payable online at the time of application. This amount can change, so check the current rates before submitting.
Processing times vary based on your location and the complexity of your application. If your case is straightforward and you’re eligible for a 5-year RRV, processing may take only a few days to a week. Applications requiring close-tie assessments and/or compelling/compassionate reasons may take longer.
Once your RRV is granted, you can enter or re-enter Australia as a permanent resident. If you are already inside Australia, the visa simply updates your travel facility. Be sure to check the travel expiry date on the visa grant and plan accordingly.
Hitchcock & Associates can guide you through each step, assess your eligibility, and assist in preparing a strong, compliant application that improves your chances of a successful RRV outcome.
The Resident Return Visa (Subclass 155) is a single applicant visa, meaning each family member must apply individually. You cannot include dependents or a partner on your application, even if you apply together.
If your partner or children held permanent residency in the past and their visas have expired, they must each apply for their own RRV and meet eligibility requirements independently. Applications can be submitted at the same time and supported with coordinated documentation, especially if close family ties are part of the eligibility case.
If a family member never held PR, they cannot apply for an RRV. In that case, you may need to explore family sponsorship pathways, such as Partner or Child visas, once your own travel rights are restored.
Need help coordinating multiple RRV applications or exploring sponsorship options? Hitchcock & Associates can guide you through the most practical path forward.
When applying for a Resident Return Visa (Subclass 155), it’s important to understand the total cost involved in the application process. As of July 2025, the Department of Home Affairs charges a government application fee of AUD $490 per applicant for most RRV submissions. This fee is the same regardless of whether you apply inside or outside of Australia.
Additional expenses may include document certification, translation services (if your supporting evidence is in a language other than English), and optional assistance from a Registered Migration Agent.
While not required, professional support can help you strengthen your application, particularly if you are applying based on compelling reasons for absence or demonstrating close ties to Australia after an extended time overseas.
Unlike many other visa subclasses, there are no points tests, health checks, or English language requirements for an RRV. However, submitting strong supporting documents, especially if you have not lived in Australia for some time, is critical to success and may involve some preparation costs.
Working with a trusted migration consultation expert, like Hitchcock & Associates, maximises the chances of your application being successful from the get-go.
