Overview
The Resident Return visa (RRV) lets Australian permanent residents — and some former permanent residents and former citizens — renew their travel facility so they can leave and re-enter Australia as permanent residents. A Subclass 155 with a 5-year travel facility is granted if you have lived in Australia as a permanent resident for at least 2 of the last 5 years; a 1-year 155 is available if you have not, but have substantial business, cultural, employment or personal ties of benefit to Australia; and the Subclass 157 gives a 3-month facility to people who have spent at least one day but less than 2 years in Australia as a permanent resident in the last 5 years and have compelling reasons for their absence.
The RRV is the visa you only think about when you need it — usually right before a trip. Permanent residence itself never expires while you are in Australia; what expires is the travel facility, typically 5 years from the grant of your original permanent visa. The 5-year 155 is the standard renewal for PRs who have been in Australia at least 2 of the last 5 years; if you have spent more time overseas, the 1-year 155 (with substantial ties) or the 3-month 157 may still let you travel.
Which RRV do you qualify for?
- 5-year 155: you were lawfully in Australia as a permanent resident (or citizen) for a total of at least 2 years in the last 5. The days need not be continuous.
- 1-year 155: you don’t meet the 2-year rule but have substantial business, cultural, employment or personal ties of benefit to Australia. If you have been away for more than 5 continuous years you must also show compelling reasons for the absence.
- 157: you have spent at least 1 day but less than 2 years in Australia as a PR in the last 5 years, and have compelling and compassionate reasons for being away more than 3 months. The travel facility is 3 months.
What evidence proves the 2-of-5-years rule?
The Department checks its own movement records, so for most people the 5-year 155 needs little more than identity documents and the application charge shown above. Problems arise when travel history is unclear (for example, departures before biometric gates) — keep old passports.
What if you have been away a long time?
If you are overseas with an expired travel facility, you can still apply from offshore — but you cannot board a flight to Australia as a PR until the RRV is granted. The longer the absence, the more the application turns on ties (an Australian job or business, family, property, community roles) and, beyond 5 years away, on compelling reasons. Former permanent residents and former citizens can also apply, provided their last permanent visa was not cancelled.
Is citizenship the better long-term answer?
Yes, where you are eligible. Australian citizens travel on an Australian passport and never need an RRV. The general residence requirement is 4 years of lawful residence including 12 months as a permanent resident, with limited absences. See our citizenship guide.
Fees and processing times shown above are sourced from the Department of Home Affairs and displayed with the date verified.
Who is eligible for the Subclass 155 visa?
- Be a current or former Australian permanent resident, or a former Australian citizen who lost or renounced citizenship
- For the 5-year 155: have been lawfully in Australia as a permanent resident (or citizen) for at least 2 of the last 5 years
- For the 1-year 155: not meet the 2-year rule but have substantial business, cultural, employment or personal ties of benefit to Australia — and, if absent from Australia for more than 5 continuous years, compelling reasons for the absence
- For the 157: have spent at least 1 day but less than 2 years in Australia as a permanent resident in the last 5 years and have compelling and compassionate reasons for being away for more than 3 months
- Meet character requirements
How much does the Subclass 155 visa cost?
The base application charge is A$1,475. Checked against the official Home Affairs pricing table on 11 October 2026. See every Subclass 155 stream's charge and processing time, or compare every visa on our Australian visa fees table. Fees are indexed each year — see the official Visa Pricing Estimator for the current figure.
How long does the Subclass 155 visa take to process?
Around 75% of applications are finalised within 4 days, and 90% within 6 days.
Official figures as at 29 September 2026. Source: Department of Home Affairs — Global visa processing times. Compare all visas on our processing times tracker. Times are a guide only — complete, decision-ready applications are generally faster.
How do you apply for the Subclass 155 visa?
- Confirm which RRV you need. 5-year 155 if you meet the 2-out-of-5 years residence rule; 1-year 155 if you can show substantial ties; 157 if you can't meet either but have compelling reasons.
- Gather your evidence. Residence history (movement records, addresses), and — if relying on ties — evidence of business, employment, family or cultural connections to Australia.
- Lodge the application. RRVs can be lodged online onshore or offshore. If you are in Australia you receive a bridging visa if your current visa is about to expire.
- Travel. Once granted, you can leave and re-enter Australia as a PR for the duration of the travel facility. Consider applying for citizenship once eligible so you never need another RRV.
How it compares
| Visa | Travel facility | Who qualifies | Typical evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| 155 (standard) | 5 years | In Australia as a PR for at least 2 of the last 5 years | Movement records; passport stamps |
| 155 (ties) | 1 year | Less than 2 years in Australia but substantial business, cultural, employment or personal ties of benefit to Australia | Employment contracts, business ownership, Australian family, property, cultural roles |
| 157 | 3 months | At least 1 day but under 2 years in Australia as a PR in the last 5 years, with compelling reasons for being away over 3 months | Evidence of the compelling circumstances |
| Citizenship | None needed | Usually 4 years' lawful residence incl. 12 months as a PR | Australian passport replaces the RRV |
Frequently asked questions
What happens if my travel facility expires while I'm overseas?
You remain a permanent resident but cannot re-enter Australia until you hold a visa with a valid travel facility. You can apply for an RRV from outside Australia. If you cannot meet the 2-of-5-years rule for the 5-year 155, the 1-year 155 (with substantial ties) or the 157 (with compelling circumstances) may be options. If you have been outside Australia for more than 5 continuous years you must also show compelling reasons for the absence. Applying before you travel is always easier.
Do I lose my permanent residence if my RRV travel facility expires?
No. Permanent residence does not end when the travel facility expires — while you stay in Australia you remain a permanent resident indefinitely. You only need a new RRV to leave and re-enter as a PR. The 5-year 155 is the standard renewal for people who have spent at least 2 of the last 5 years in Australia.
What counts as 'substantial ties of benefit to Australia'?
Business ties (owning or managing an Australian business), employment ties (a current Australian job or a firm offer), cultural ties (recognised participation in Australian cultural or community life) or personal ties (close family in Australia, long residence, property). The ties must be substantial and of benefit to Australia — not merely to you — and a 155 granted on ties carries a 1-year travel facility.
How long does an RRV take to process?
Straightforward 5-year 155 applications that are decision-ready are often processed within days. Applications relying on ties or compelling circumstances take longer because the evidence is assessed individually. See the processing time shown above, sourced from Home Affairs.
Can I include my family in one RRV?
No — each person needs their own RRV, including children. Family members who are permanent residents apply individually and each pays the application charge shown above; a family member who does not hold permanent residence cannot be added.
Related visas
Related guides
- Complete guide to Australian immigration in 2026
- Visa Refused? Your Appeal Options and the ART Review