If your travel facility connected to your permanent residency (PR) for Australia has expired, or is about to, you’re not alone. Many former permanent residents find themselves in this situation after years spent living overseas, due to career opportunities, family responsibilities, or other life circumstances.
Fortunately, Australia offers a visa pathway designed specifically for individuals who previously held permanent residency and now wish to regain or retain their right to travel to and live in Australia as a permanent resident: the Resident Return Visa (RRV).
The Resident Return Visa allows former Australian permanent residents to enter and exit the country without affecting their PR status. Also, in some cases, it allows eligible former citizens to re-establish their residency status without having to reapply for a new PR visa.
However, the process for obtaining an RRV is not always straightforward, and outcomes depend heavily on your past residency, your current ties to Australia, the duration and circumstances of your absence. Learn how to apply for a Resident Return Visa Australia below.
If your Australian PR travel facility has expired, or is about to, you may still be able to travel to or return to Australia and retain or restore your ability to travel as a permanent resident by applying for a Resident Return Visa (RRV).
The RRV (subclass 155) is designed for individuals who previously held PR but either left Australia or never entered the country after their PR visa was granted. While some permanent visas require initial entry before activation, the RRV allows eligible former or current PR visa holders to re-enter Australia provided the original PR visa was never cancelled and the applicant meets the relevant criteria.
The RRV application process is completed online through the Department of Home Affairs’ ImmiAccount portal. Applicants must complete the online form, pay the applicable fee, and upload supporting documents that demonstrate their eligibility. These typically include:
- Proof of your previous permanent residency visa grant (such as your visa grant letter)
- A current passport
- Evidence of your ties to Australia, which may include family members who are citizens or permanent residents, long-term personal relationships, employment history, property ownership, business ties, or previous periods of residence
- A personal statement and supporting documents if you’re applying on the basis of compelling reasons for your time spent outside Australia (such as medical issues, family responsibilities, or global events)
While some applicants may still meet the residency requirement of having spent at least two of the last five years physically present in Australia as a permanent resident, many will be applying on the basis of “close ties” and/or “compelling reasons” for their absence.
In these cases, the quality and clarity of your documentation is essential. The Department does not notify visa holders when their travel facility expires, and unsuccessful RRV applications are only communicated after assessment, so ensuring your application is properly prepared the first time is important to avoid unnecessary delays or refusals.
The application process can be complex, especially for individuals who have been outside of Australia for an extended period or never travelled to Australia and activated their PR. Hitchcock & Associates provides tailored support to help eligible applicants prepare strong, well-documented submissions.
As a registered migration agency, we offer clarity on eligibility, support you in preparing required evidence, and guide you through the Department’s online application process to give you the best possible chance of regaining your residency.
The processing time for a Resident Return Visa (RRV) in Australia can vary significantly depending on the applicant’s circumstances and the strength of the supporting documentation. In straightforward cases, particularly where the applicant has met the two-year residency requirement in the last five years, the Department of Home Affairs may process the application within a few days.
In fact, some online RRV applications have been granted within 24 to 72 hours. However, this is not guaranteed, and processing times can extend considerably when applications require further scrutiny or when supporting claims (like compelling reasons for absence or close ties to Australia) must be evaluated.
For applicants who do not meet the physical residency requirement and are instead relying on alternative eligibility criteria (e.g. long-term family ties or professional links), processing times tend to be longer. These applications may be assessed manually by a case officer and may take several weeks or even months.
The need for additional documentation or clarification can cause further delays, especially if the application lacks clear, well-structured evidence or if the Department requests additional information.
It’s also important to understand that the Department of Home Affairs does not publish a set processing timeframe for RRVs, as they are considered on a case-by-case basis. Applicants are not provided with regular status updates during the assessment period.
This makes it essential to ensure your initial application is complete, well-documented, and supported by clear and persuasive evidence. Submitting an incomplete or poorly prepared application can result in prolonged processing or an unsuccessful outcome.
At Hitchcock & Associates, we have supported many clients in securing RRVs, even in complex cases where individuals had never entered Australia on their original PR visa or had been absent for many years.
Our team is experienced in guiding applicants through the process and ensuring that every application is strategically positioned for success. By providing hands-on assistance with documentation, statements of compelling reasons, and evidence of close ties, we can help minimise delays and increase the likelihood of a positive outcome.
If your permanent residency travel facility has expired (or is close to expiry) and you need to travel to or return to Australia, it’s worth seeking professional guidance from Hitchcock & Associates before lodging your RRV application. Doing so can save you significant time, expense, and uncertainty throughout the process.
