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Resident Return Visa (RRV) (Subclass 155/157)
Most Australian Permanent Residency visas include a five-year travel facility. Once this travel validity expires, the visa holder cannot re-enter Australia as a permanent resident unless they obtain a Resident Return Visa (RRV).
To apply, the individual must already hold Australian permanent residency and meet specific residency or substantial ties criteria.
The Resident Return Visa (Subclass 155/157) allows eligible applicants to renew their travel facility for a period ranging from three months to five years, depending on their circumstances.
Given the complexity of the Resident Return Visa process and the numerous eligibility requirements involved, we recommend booking a complimentary consultation with Andreas Athanasiou to discuss your specific circumstances and pathway options.
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for a Resident Return Visa (RRV) (Subclass 155/157), the applicant must:
Be an Australian permanent resident, or
Be a former permanent resident whose last permanent visa was not cancelled, or
Be a former Australian citizen who has lost or renounced their citizenship.
Meet the residency requirements or demonstrate substantial ties to Australia (such as personal, employment, cultural, or business ties).
Meet the character requirements.
Have no adverse immigration history.
The above represent the minimum eligibility requirements. Additional information and documentation may be required from both the Applicant and the Sponsor to confirm overall eligibility and strengthen the application.
For personalised guidance and an assessment of your individual circumstances, you are welcome to contact our office for a complimentary consultation.
Additional Information
When an RRV application is lodged, the Department of Home Affairs automatically assesses eligibility for both the Subclass 155 and Subclass 157 visas.
If the applicant meets the criteria for the Subclass 155, they may be granted a travel facility of up to five years.
If the Subclass 155 requirements are not met, but the applicant qualifies for the Subclass 157, a maximum travel facility of up to three months may be granted.
Applicants may still qualify for a Resident Return Visa even if they currently hold a temporary visa, provided they were previously an Australian permanent resident or Australian citizen.
If a former permanent resident re-enters Australia on a temporary visa, they should apply for a Resident Return Visa promptly if they intend to remain in Australia permanently and retain their permanent resident status.
Residence Requirements
To qualify for a Resident Return Visa (RRV) (Subclass 155/157), an applicant must meet one of the following criteria:
Option 1 – 5-Year Travel Facility
The applicant has been physically present in Australia for at least 2 years (730 days) in the last 5 years as a permanent resident or Australian citizen.
Likely outcome: Eligible for a 5-year travel facility.
Option 2 – Overseas Applicants with Substantial Ties
Applicant is outside Australia and:
Has not been absent from Australia for 5 continuous years or more (unless there are compelling reasons), and
Holds a permanent visa, or last left Australia as a permanent resident or citizen, and
Can demonstrate substantial ties of benefit to Australia (personal, employment, cultural, or business ties).
Likely outcome: May be granted a travel facility of up to 12 months.
Option 3 – Previously Held Permanent Residency or Citizenship
Applicant is outside Australia and:
Was an Australian citizen or permanent resident less than 10 years before applying, and
Has not been absent for more than 5 years in total (unless there are compelling reasons), and
Can demonstrate substantial ties of benefit to Australia.
Likely outcome: May be granted up to 12 months travel facility.
Option 4 – Applicant Inside Australia
Applicant is in Australia and:
Can demonstrate substantial ties of benefit to Australia, and
Has not been absent for 5 continuous years since their last permanent visa was granted or since ceasing to be an Australian citizen.
Likely outcome: May be granted up to 12 months travel facility.
Option 5 – Family Member
Applicant is a member of the family unit of a person who:
Holds, or has applied for, a Resident Return Visa, and
Meets the time of application criteria.
Likely Outcome: May receive up to 12 months travel facility.
How Residency is Calculated
2 years = 730 days.
5-year period is counted backwards from the lodgement date of the RRV application.
Both arrival and departure days are counted as days in Australia.
Any part-day spent in Australia counts as a full day.
Visa Application Charge
The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) charges an application fee of AUD $490 for a Resident Return Visa (Subclass 155/157) if it is lodged electronically.
The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) charges an application fee of AUD $570 for a Resident Return Visa (Subclass 155/157) if it is lodged via mail.
In addition to the DHA fee, applicants should also budget for other potential costs, which may include:
Australian police clearance certificates.
Overseas police clearance certificates.
Certified translations of documents (if applicable).
Bank or credit-card surcharges (if applicable).
Professional fees charged by the appointed Migration Agency.*
*To help reduce financial pressure, Olympus Migration offers flexible payment plans, allowing professional fees to be paid in instalments over a period of up to 15 months.
After the Visa Lodgement
If the applicant is overseas when applying for the Resident Return Visa, it is generally recommended that they remain outside Australia until a decision is made.
If the applicant is in Australia at the time of lodgement, they will remain on their current visa throughout processing, as Bridging Visas are not issued for this visa subclass. They must ensure that they are on a valid visa, however.
Approximate processing time: The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) currently indicates an average timeframe of 1 day to 2 months for a decision, although this may vary depending on individual circumstances and DHA priorities.
If the Resident Return Visa (Subclass 155/157) is granted, then the Applicant is a Permanent Resident of Australia with an active Travel Facility.
During this time, they can live, work and travel within Australia and overseas without any restrictions.
In the following link you can find testimonials by past Clients and by individuals who have sought Australian immigration advice from our Director, Andreas Athanasiou.
These have been extracted from our Google Business page.
Our ‘Peace of Mind’ Policy
Our Director and Registered Migration Agent, Andreas Athanasiou, has dedicated over a decade to helping people build a future in Australia. Being an immigrant himself, is journey is deeply personal — he understands that every visa is not just an application, but a life, a dream, and a family hoping for a better tomorrow.
With more than 1,000 visas successfully prepared, Andreas has supported individuals and families from over 100 countries, each with their own story. Many of our clients began this journey feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or uncertain — but they found comfort, clarity, and success when they placed their trust in him. You can read more about his journey in our About Us section.
Whether you meet Andreas in person in Melbourne or speak with him via Zoom from anywhere in the world, you will be treated with kindness, dignity, and respect. Your concerns will be heard, your questions will be answered, and your future will be handled with care.
We offer a full 1-hour complimentary consultation because you deserve time, attention and genuine guidance — not rushed advice or expensive upfront fees. We firmly believe you should not have to pay hundreds of dollars just to understand your options, or be charged heavily before receiving real clarity.
We are committed to standing by your side every step of the way. In the unlikely event your application is refused, Olympus Migration will prepare and lodge a new application or appeal to the Tribunal at no additional professional fees, if you are eligible. This is our promise to you, and our ‘Peace of Mind’ policy. We do this because we believe in you — and we don’t give up on our clients.
At Olympus Migration, you are not just another file.
You are our family — and your journey is our mission.
What is the Process?
Why Olympus Migration?
Expert Advice
Our Director, Andreas Athanasiou, is a Registered Migration Agent (MARN: 1685134) and a member of the Migration Institute of Australia, with over a decade of experience and more than 1,000 successful visa lodgements to his name.
Fixed Fees
We operate strictly on a fixed-fee basis, ensuring complete transparency with no hidden costs or unexpected charges at any stage. To ease financial pressure, we also offer flexible payment plans of up to 15 months for our valued clients.
Prompt Service
Our clients are the heart of our company and the very reason we exist. We are deeply committed to their complete satisfaction, treating every matter as a top priority and always responding within the same business day.
Peace of Mind
In the unlikely event that an application is refused, we will re-apply or appeal the decision without charging any additional professional fees to Olympus Migration clients. This is our commitment to you — our Peace of Mind policy.
Book a Complimentary 1-Hour Consultation
You can discuss your case and concerns with Andreas Athanasiou either Face-to-Face or via Zoom.
You can book a confidential and complimentary 1-hour consultation to assess your eligibility using any of the options below:
• Email: andreas@olympusmigration.com.au
• Call: 1300 804 204
• Message us directly (in this section)
We are available 7 days a week, including on Public Holidays.
• Head Office: L10, 440 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
• Satellite Office: Templestowe VIC 3106
• Satellite Office: Epping VIC 3076
All Office meetings are by appointment only