A Resident Return Visa (RVV) or the Subclass 155 & 157 visas permit Australian permanent residents to travel in and out of Australia as frequently as they want until the travel validity expires.
Australia is a country known for its laid-back lifestyle, stunning scenery, and friendly people. It’s no wonder that so many people choose to make Australia their home. But what happens if you need to move overseas for a while? Or what if you’re a permanent resident who’s been living overseas for a long time?
That’s where the Return Resident Visa (RRV) comes in. The RRV allows you to stay in Australia for up to five years, even if you’ve been living overseas. This means that you can come and go as you please, without having to worry about losing your permanent residency.
The Return Resident Visa or Resident Return Visa (RRV) is a visa that permanent residents in Australia can get after their “travel facility” expires. Every permanent residence visa has a travel facility.
The travel facility of permanent visas runs out after 5 years. While permanent visa holders can live in Australia indefinitely, they get a 5-year limit on their travel facility. This means that you have a right to travel that expires after 5 years. After 5 years, you have to renew your right to travel.
This is in the form of a return resident visa (RRV). If an Australian permanent resident is outside Australia and their travel facility expires, they will need a return resident visa. People with temporary visas are not eligible for resident return visas.
There are two types of return resident visas:
- Subclass 155 return resident visa
- Subclass 157 return resident visa.
What Can You Do With a Return Resident Visa?
As a holder of a return resident visa, you can re-enter Australia if the travel facility of your permanent residency has expired. Essentially, an RRV is useful for those who plan to travel internationally after the expiration of the travel facility of their visa.
Moreover, some Australian permanent residents may remain outside Australia. If they have compelling reasons to stay out of Australia, they can apply for a return resident visa to come to Australia and maintain their permanent residency status. It is important to note that there is no limit to the number of RRVs that one can apply for.
Requirements and Conditions of a Return Resident Visa
Australian permanent residents who meet certain requirements can get a return resident visa. Applicants can make visa applications for RRV either from within Australia or from overseas. Given below is a list of the most important requirements for resident return visa eligibility:
- The applicant is an Australian permanent resident, former Australian permanent resident, or former Australian citizen,
- Valid passport,
- The applicant must have lived in Australia for at least 2 years in the last 5 years as a permanent resident,
- Demonstrate substantial ties with Australia, and prove that you were not absent for 5 continuous years since they got the PR.
Substantial ties include personal ties and family ties, employment ties, cultural ties, and business ties. To read more about this, read this article here.

Subclass 155 and Subclass 157
Depending on individual circumstances, the RRV visa applicable to you could vary in terms of its validity. Given below are some points that outline the differences between Subclass 155 and 157 in relation to the validity.
The Subclass 155 visa is a long-term visa, whereas Subclass 157 is a short-term visa. If you are an applicant who has lived in Australia as a permanent resident, has former Australian citizenship or former permanent residence for 2 years in the last 5 years, then you get a 5-year travel validity on the visa. This is if you meet the above-mentioned residence requirement.
On the other hand, if you have not met the residence requirement of living in Australia for 2 years in the last 5 years (as a permanent resident, former citizen or former permanent resident) then you you can get a subclass 157 RRV with a maximum travel validity of 12 months.
Moreover, if you meet the requirements only because you are a family member of a person who holds his visa, then you can get the 157 RRV for a maximum of 12 months travel validity.
Lastly, if you do not meet the residency requirements but you had compelling reasons to depart Australia, then you can get an RRV with up to 3 months travel validity.
Compelling and Compassionate Reasons for Absence
What qualifies as “compelling reasons?”
- Compelling reasons for absence can include severe illness or death of an overseas family member. It can also include certain work and study commitments of the applicant or their partner.
- Compassionate reasons such as an applicant is living overseas in an ongoing relationship with a partner or has minor children.
Writing an explanation letter detailing your compelling or compassionate reason for absence can be helpful in providing context for your situation.

Seek Advice From Immigration Lawyers about Return Resident Visa
You may be seeking a RRV to be able to enter Australia as a permanent resident again. While this is largely a straightforward process, you might require further legal guidance to ensure you get a successful outcome. However, the process still depends on your individual circumstances.
At JB Solicitors, we have a team of leading immigration lawyers who have the experience of dealing with a variety of matters.
Whether you wish to obtain a new Australian visa or you want to an appeal a decision that the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has made, you should speak with experienced migration lawyers.
To read other migration law blogs on topics including bridging visa, Australian citizens and family members, expired passport or new passport, click on our blog link here.
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For any enquiries on resident return visa application, do not hesitate to contact our team of expert lawyers today. Send a message to our friendly staff here to speak about your valid visa.