Resident Return Visa Experts

Resident Return Visa (RRV): renew your travel facility as an Australian permanent resident

A Resident Return Visa (RRV) allows Australian permanent residents to leave and re-enter Australia once the travel facility attached to their permanent visa has expired or is about to expire. Permanent residence itself does not expire. However, the travel facility that allows you to return to Australia as a permanent resident usually ends five years after your permanent visa is granted. If you need to travel overseas — or return to Australia after time abroad — you must hold a valid RRV. The length of the RRV travel facility you may be granted, and the evidence required, depends on how long you have lived in Australia, how long you have been outside Australia, and whether you can demonstrate ongoing ties to Australia.

Which Resident Return Visa applies to you?

5-year RRV (subclass 155)
If you have lived in Australia for at least 2 years in the last 5 years as a permanent resident, you will usually be eligible for a 5-year travel facility. You may apply from inside or outside Australia. Professional assistance: A$300, Government visa charge: A$490

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1-year RRV (subclass 155 – substantial ties)
If you do not meet the 2-in-5 year requirement, but you have not been absent from Australia for 5 years or more (unless there are compelling reasons), you may still be eligible if you can demonstrate substantial ties to Australia, such as: In these cases, a 1-year travel facility

Can I apply from inside or outside Australia?

You can apply for a Resident Return Visa from inside or outside Australia. However, your location at the time you lodge the application can affect:

• how the Department assesses your ties to Australia, and
• the length of the travel facility granted.

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Permanent residence vs travel facility

Australian permanent residence does not expire. The travel facility attached to your permanent visa does expire, usually five years after the grant of your permanent visa. If your travel facility has expired:

• you may remain in Australia indefinitely if you are already onshore, but
• you must hold a valid Resident Return Visa before travelling overseas if you want to return as a permanent resident.

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Evidence quality matters

The Department assesses Resident Return Visa applications based on the quality and relevance of evidence, not the number of documents submitted. Strong applications clearly demonstrate:

• ongoing ties to Australia,
• continuity of those ties over time, and
• clear reasons for any extended periods spent outside Australia.

Submitting large volumes of unfocused or outdated evidence can weaken an otherwise strong application.

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Common Resident Return Visa mistakes

Applicants commonly make the following mistakes:

• assuming property ownership alone guarantees approval
• failing to explain long absences from Australia
• relying on historic ties rather than ongoing ties
• submitting irrelevant or outdated documents
• applying for the wrong Resident Return Visa subclass
• believing short visits automatically reset the 5-year residence requirement

Careful preparation avoids many of these issues.

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Processing times

Resident Return Visa processing times vary depending on:

• where you lodge the application,
• the strength and complexity of your ties to Australia, and
• whether the Department requests further information.

No applicant can guarantee a specific outcome or processing timeframe, particularly when eligibility relies on substantial ties.

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Who this service is suitable for

This service suits Australian permanent residents who:

• need to renew or restore their travel facility,
• have spent time outside Australia, and
• want clarity on their eligibility before travelling.

If your circumstances involve long absences, complex family arrangements, or limited ties, your application may require additional preparation.