Australian Resident Return Visa (RRV)
Return to Australia as a Permanent Resident
Have you previously held Australian permanent residence but have been living overseas?
If your permanent resident travel facility has expired, you may need an Australian Resident Return Visa (RRV) before you can return to Australia as a permanent resident.
At Emigrate to Australia, part of Taylor Hampton Solicitors, our experienced MARA-registered migration agents have helped many former Australian permanent residents successfully obtain Resident Return Visas and regain their ability to travel to Australia.
If you're unsure whether you qualify, contact our team today on 020 7427 5290 or email enquiries@emigrate-to-australia.co.uk for a personalised eligibility assessment.
What is a Resident Return Visa?
The Resident Return Visa (Subclass 155 or 157) allows eligible current and former Australian permanent residents to return to Australia while maintaining their permanent resident status.
You may need a Resident Return Visa if:
- your permanent resident travel facility has expired
- you have been living outside Australia for an extended period
- you wish to return to Australia as a permanent resident
- you intend to travel overseas and need to preserve your ability to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident.
The Resident Return Visa may also be available to certain former Australian citizens who have lost or renounced their Australian citizenship.
Who Can Apply?
You may be eligible for a Resident Return Visa if you have previously held:
- an Australian Permanent Visa
- or Australian permanent resident status.
Your eligibility will depend on your individual circumstances, including:
- how long you have lived in Australia
- how long you have been outside Australia
- your ongoing ties to Australia
- your personal, business, employment or cultural connections with Australia.
Every application is assessed on its own merits.
Resident Return Visa (Subclass 155)
Many applicants qualify for a Subclass 155 Resident Return Visa.
Generally, applicants who have spent at least 730 days in Australia during the previous five years may be eligible for a Resident Return Visa with a longer travel facility.
Applicants who have spent less time in Australia may still qualify if they can demonstrate substantial ties of benefit to Australia. These may include:
- family connections
- employment
- business interests
- property ownership
- cultural or community involvement
- other significant personal ties.
Where appropriate, applicants may also need to explain compassionate or compelling reasons for spending extended periods outside Australia.
Resident Return Visa (Subclass 157)
Applicants who do not meet the requirements for a Subclass 155 visa may still be eligible for a Subclass 157 Resident Return Visa if they satisfy the legislative criteria.
Our migration agents will assess your circumstances and advise which Resident Return Visa pathway offers the best chance of success.
What Does the Resident Return Visa Allow You to Do?
A successful Resident Return Visa application allows eligible applicants to:
- return to Australia as a permanent resident
- continue living permanently in Australia
- work and study without restriction
- travel overseas and return to Australia during the visa's travel validity period
- preserve their permanent resident status while maintaining international travel rights.
Strong Applications Matter
Resident Return Visa applications often require careful preparation, particularly where an applicant has spent significant time outside Australia.
Evidence demonstrating your ongoing connection to Australia can be critical to a successful application.
Our migration agents will help you prepare a comprehensive application supported by appropriate documentation and detailed submissions where necessary.
How We Can Help
We provide professional advice and assistance throughout the entire Resident Return Visa application process.
Our services include:
- assessing your eligibility
- advising on the most appropriate Resident Return Visa pathway
- identifying the strongest evidence to support your application
- preparing legal submissions where appropriate
- lodging your application with the Australian Department of Home Affairs
- managing your application until a decision is made.
Whether you left Australia recently or many years ago, we can assess your circumstances and provide honest advice about your prospects of success.
Why Choose Emigrate to Australia?
When you choose Emigrate to Australia, you benefit from:
- MARA-registered Australian Migration Agents
- More than 15 years of Australian migration experience
- Extensive experience with Resident Return Visa applications
- Personalised advice tailored to your circumstances
- Support from initial consultation through to visa decision
- Honest, practical advice based on current Australian migration legislation.
As part of Taylor Hampton Solicitors, an SRA-regulated law firm based in London, we are committed to providing professional migration advice and exceptional client service.
Speak to an Australian Migration Agent
If your Australian permanent resident travel facility has expired, don't assume you have lost your permanent residency.
Many former permanent residents remain eligible for a Resident Return Visa.
Contact our experienced migration agents today for an assessment of your eligibility.