Pathway

Australia Resident Return Visa

Australia Residency

Updated October 6, 2026

Pathway overview

At a glance

A Resident Return visa renews the permission an Australian permanent resident needs to return after overseas travel. It may also be available to some former permanent residents and former citizens. How long it lasts depends on residence history or other qualifying ties. You do not need it just to remain in Australia.

Usual five-year option: At least 730 days in Australia as a permanent resident or citizen during the previous five years
Shorter 155 option: Up to 12 months based on substantial ties benefiting Australia and any required absence reasons
Subclass 157: Up to three months in limited cases meeting compassionate and recent-absence rules

Summary

Australian permanent residence can continue indefinitely while a person remains in Australia, but the visa's permission to travel and re-enter usually expires. Resident Return visas—Subclass 155 and 157—let a current or qualifying former permanent resident renew permission to leave and return. Some former Australian citizens who lost or gave up citizenship can also apply.

An applicant is assessed against both subclasses. How long that return-travel permission lasts depends on Australian residence, substantial ties, family circumstances and reasons for long absence.

Renewing permission to return as a permanent resident

Check the current visa’s travel expiry and your days in Australia Count qualifying days during the previous five years.
Prepare ties and absence evidence if needed Applicants below 730 days need to meet another permitted option.
Apply before relying on return travel Check the duration granted; a new visa replaces the old travel permission.

Permanent residence while staying in Australia and permission to return after travel are different.

Eligibility

The clearest Subclass 155 route is the residence test: at least 730 cumulative days in Australia during the 5 years immediately before application while holding a permanent visa or as an Australian citizen. Meeting it normally gives permission to leave and return for 5 years.

Someone who does not meet 730 days may still obtain up to 12 months by proving substantial ties to Australia that are of benefit to Australia. Ties can be:

business, such as an active role and authority in an Australian enterprise;
cultural, such as sustained contribution to Australian arts or cultural life;
employment, such as a credible Australian job or ongoing work; or
personal, such as long residence, Australian citizen family and a genuine home in Australia.

Owning a dormant company, property or bank account is not automatically a substantial beneficial tie. Evidence must explain its depth, recency and benefit. Applicants with absences of 5 continuous years or other long absence patterns may also need compelling reasons.

Subclass 157 can provide permission to leave and return for up to 3 months where the applicant does not meet the 155 options but has compelling and compassionate reasons for leaving Australia and meets the strict recent-absence rule.

The applicant must also satisfy character requirements. A former permanent resident's last permanent visa must not have been canceled. A current Australian citizen cannot receive an RRV; citizens should travel on an Australian passport.

What This Route Allows

An RRV permits the holder to leave and return to Australia as a permanent resident during the new period of return-travel permission. A 155 can carry 5 years or up to 12 months depending on which requirement is met; a 157 carries up to 3 months.

The new grant replaces rather than adds to an existing travel facility. Unused time from an older facility is not carried over, and Home Affairs cannot postpone a ready RRV grant merely to preserve the old time.

What This Route Is Not

An RRV is not needed simply to remain in Australia when a permanent travel facility has expired and the person does not plan to leave. The problem arises on re-entry after overseas travel.

Permanent residence is not Australian citizenship. A permanent resident without a valid travel facility can be unable to board or return as a permanent resident. Returning on a visitor visa may affect permanent-resident entitlements and later RRV or citizenship calculations.

Family, property or earlier residence does not guarantee a new travel facility. Applicants below 730 days must show that they meet another option allowed by the rules, and long unexplained absence can lead to refusal or only a short facility.

Next Steps

Check Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) for the exact date your permission to return as a permanent resident expires before booking travel.
Count physical presence during the previous 5 years using movement records; 2 years means 730 cumulative days.
If below 730 days, identify the strongest business, cultural, employment or personal ties and explain how they benefit Australia.
Document compelling reasons for any absence period for which Home Affairs requires them.
Apply for a new RRV before travel and allow time for Home Affairs to assess your ties if required.
If already overseas, do not attempt to return as a permanent resident without a current facility.
Consider citizenship separately if eligible; Australian citizens should use an Australian passport.