Head Office (Melbourne)
Suite 616, 530 Little Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
If you are an Australian permanent resident or former permanent resident planning to travel overseas and return to Australia, understanding the 155 visa Australia requirements is essential. Many permanent residents mistakenly believe their permanent residency automatically allows unlimited travel. In reality, once your travel facility expires, you may need a Resident Return Visa (RRV) before re-entering Australia. The Australia Resident Return Visa Subclass 155 enables eligible permanent residents and certain former permanent residents to maintain their travel rights while keeping their permanent resident status. Whether you have been living overseas for work, family commitments, or personal reasons, this visa can help you return to Australia without applying for permanent residency again. This guide explains the Australia 155 visa, eligibility requirements, benefits, application process, required documents, and important considerations based on current Australian Government policy.
The 155 Visa Australia, officially known as the Resident Return Visa (Subclass 155), is designed for eligible Australian permanent residents and certain former permanent residents whose permanent visa no longer has a valid travel facility.
While Australian permanent residency itself generally does not expire, most Australian permanent visas include a five-year travel facility. Once this travel facility expires, permanent residents who leave Australia generally need a valid Resident Return Visa (RRV) to re-enter the country as permanent residents.
The Australia Visa Subclass 155 restores the travel facility attached to an eligible person's permanent visa, allowing them to travel internationally and return to Australia without applying for a new permanent visa.
Depending on your eligibility, the Australia Resident Return Visa Subclass 155 allows you to:
Travel overseas and return to Australia as a permanent resident during the visa's travel facility period
Continue living, working and studying in Australia as a permanent resident
Maintain access to permanent resident rights and entitlements for which you remain eligible
Continue progressing towards Australian citizenship if you meet the relevant citizenship requirements
Unlike skilled, family or employer-sponsored visas, the Visa Subclass 155 Australia is not a pathway to permanent residency. Instead, it is designed to restore the travel facility for eligible people who already hold, or in limited circumstances previously held, Australian permanent resident status.
You may need an Australia Resident Return Visa Subclass 155 if:
Your permanent visa's travel facility has expired and you want to return to Australia as a permanent resident.
You are outside Australia and your travel facility will expire before you return.
You plan to travel overseas after your current travel facility expires and wish to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident.
You are a former Australian permanent resident (whose most recent permanent visa was not cancelled) or a former Australian citizen who lost or renounced Australian citizenship, and you meet the eligibility requirements for a Resident Return Visa.
If you are already in Australia as a permanent resident and do not intend to travel internationally, you generally do not need to apply for a Subclass 155 visa. An RRV is only required when you need a valid travel facility to leave and re-enter Australia as a permanent resident.
Many permanent residents only discover that their travel facility has expired when preparing for an overseas trip or checking in for their return flight. Checking the expiry date of your travel facility before travelling can help avoid unexpected disruptions.
To be eligible for the 155 Visa Australia, you must meet the requirements set out by the Australian Department of Home Affairs. Your eligibility is assessed based on your residency status, time spent in Australia, and, where applicable, your ongoing ties to the country.
You may be eligible to apply if you are:
an Australian permanent resident
a former Australian permanent resident whose last permanent visa was not cancelled
a former Australian citizen who has lost or renounced their Australian citizenship
You must also satisfy the visa requirements at the time your application is decided.
One of the primary eligibility requirements is your recent residence in Australia.
In most cases, you may be eligible for a five-year Resident Return Visa if you have been physically present in Australia for at least 730 days (2 years) during the five years immediately before lodging your application.
The 730 days do not need to be continuous.
If you do not meet the 730-day residence requirement, you may still qualify for the Australia Resident Return Visa Subclass 155 if you can demonstrate substantial ties that are of benefit to Australia.
The Department generally considers four categories of ties.
Examples may include:
Owning or operating an Australian business
Maintaining significant commercial interests in Australia
Investments that contribute to the Australian economy
Examples may include:
Employment with an Australian organisation
Working for an Australian Government agency
Overseas employment with an Australian company where your role benefits Australia
Examples may include:
Representing Australia in sporting, cultural or artistic activities
Academic, research or professional contributions that benefit Australia
Active involvement with recognised Australian cultural organisations
Personal ties are assessed based on the strength of your ongoing connection to Australia and may include:
Immediate family members living permanently in Australia
Long-term residence in Australia
Established community or social connections
Simply having ties to Australia is not enough. You must provide evidence showing that these ties are substantial and continue to benefit Australia.
Each application is assessed individually by a Department of Home Affairs decision-maker, based on the evidence provided and the relevant provisions of Australian migration law.
The Australia Visa Subclass 155 provides eligible Australian permanent residents with a renewed travel facility, making it easier to travel internationally while maintaining their ability to return to Australia as permanent residents.
If your permanent resident travel facility has expired or is close to expiring, the Subclass 155 visa allows you to leave and re-enter Australia during the validity of the granted travel facility. This is particularly important for permanent residents who travel overseas for work, family commitments, or personal reasons.
The Resident Return Visa does not grant permanent residency, as eligible applicants already hold (or previously held) permanent resident status. Instead, it restores your travel facility, allowing you to return to Australia as a permanent resident without applying for a new permanent visa.
Once you return to Australia as a permanent resident, you can continue to enjoy the rights associated with your permanent residency, including:
Living in Australia indefinitely
Working without employment restrictions
Studying at Australian educational institutions
Accessing government services and benefits for which permanent residents are eligible
Holding a valid Resident Return Visa can help eligible permanent residents maintain their ability to travel while continuing to work towards Australian citizenship. However, the Subclass 155 visa does not provide a direct pathway to citizenship, and applicants must still satisfy all citizenship eligibility and residence requirements under Australian law.
The 155 Visa Australia is a permanent visa, but the travel facility attached to the visa is granted for a limited period. The length of the travel facility depends on your eligibility and individual circumstances—it is not automatically issued for five years.
The table below outlines the typical travel facility periods.
The Department of Home Affairs assesses each application individually, taking into account your residence history, evidence of substantial ties to Australia, and supporting documentation before deciding the length of the travel facility.
Yes. You can apply for the Australia Resident Return Visa Subclass 155 whether you are inside or outside Australia, provided you are not in immigration clearance at the time of application.
This flexibility is particularly beneficial for Australian permanent residents who are already overseas and need a valid travel facility before returning to Australia.
If your permanent resident travel facility has expired while you are outside Australia, or is due to expire during your overseas stay, you will generally need to obtain a Visa Subclass 155 Australia (or, in some cases, a Subclass 157) before you can re-enter Australia as a permanent resident. The Department of Home Affairs also recommends applying for a Resident Return Visa before making travel arrangements, as processing times can vary depending on your circumstances.
Most applicants can apply for the 155 Visa Australia online through the Department of Home Affairs. Before lodging your application, ensure you meet the eligibility requirements and have the necessary supporting documents ready.
Before applying, confirm that you meet the requirements for the Australia Resident Return Visa Subclass 155. This includes reviewing your:
Permanent resident or former permanent resident status
Time spent lawfully in Australia during the relevant assessment period
International travel history
Substantial ties to Australia (if you do not meet the residence requirement)
Understanding your eligibility before applying can help you determine the appropriate evidence to include with your application.
Prepare documents that support your eligibility, which may include:
A valid passport
Evidence of your Australian permanent resident status or previous permanent visa
Records of your travel history
Documents showing your residence in Australia
Evidence of substantial business, employment, cultural or personal ties to Australia (if applicable)
Providing complete and accurate documentation at the time of application may help reduce requests for additional information and avoid unnecessary processing delays.
Applications are typically lodged online through the Department of Home Affairs' ImmiAccount portal.
When completing your application:
Ensure all personal details match your passport and official records.
Upload clear copies of all required supporting documents.
Pay the applicable visa application charge, if required.
Once your application has been submitted, the Department of Home Affairs will assess whether you meet the legislative requirements for the visa. Depending on your circumstances, this assessment may include reviewing your:
Identity
Permanent resident history
Residence requirement
Evidence of substantial ties to Australia (where applicable)
Character requirements and other relevant provisions of Australian migration law, if applicable
The Department may contact you if additional information or documents are required before a decision is made.
If your application is approved, your Resident Return Visa (Subclass 155) will be granted electronically and linked to your passport. Your visa grant notice will specify the length of your travel facility and any applicable visa conditions.
You can then travel to and from Australia during the validity of your travel facility while retaining your permanent resident status, provided you continue to meet Australian immigration requirements.
Providing complete and accurate documentation is an important part of your Australia Resident Return Visa Subclass 155 application. The documents required depend on your individual circumstances, particularly whether you meet the residence requirement or are applying based on substantial ties to Australia.
You will generally need to provide evidence of your identity and your eligibility for the visa. Depending on your situation, this may include:
A valid passport or other identity documents
Details of your previous Australian permanent resident or eligible visa status
Evidence of your travel history
Documents showing the time you have spent in Australia during the relevant period
Evidence of substantial ties to Australia, where applicable, such as:
Employment records or employer letters
Business ownership or investment documents
Evidence of close family members living in Australia
Documents demonstrating cultural, community, or professional connections that benefit Australia
Depending on your circumstances, additional supporting documents such as tax records, lease agreements, utility bills, bank statements, or Medicare records may also help establish your residence history or ongoing connection with Australia.
If any of your documents are not in English, certified translations may be required.
When applying based on substantial ties rather than meeting the residence requirement, your supporting evidence should clearly demonstrate that your business, cultural, employment, or personal ties are ongoing and of benefit to Australia. Providing well-organised and relevant documentation can help the Department of Home Affairs assess your application more efficiently.
The processing time for the 155 Visa Australia depends on whether you meet the residence requirement and the complexity of your application. While there is no guaranteed processing timeframe, the Australian Department of Home Affairs provides general guidance for Resident Return Visa (Subclass 155) applications.
Applicants who meet the residence requirement (generally having spent at least 730 days in Australia during the previous five years) are generally processed within 5 working days from the date of lodgement.
Applicants who do not meet the residence requirement and need to demonstrate substantial ties of benefit to Australia may take around 12 weeks or longer, as these applications require a more detailed assessment.
Your application may also take longer if:
Required supporting documents are missing
Additional information or evidence is requested
Your travel or residency history requires further verification
The Department needs to conduct additional identity or character checks
To help avoid unnecessary delays, ensure your application is complete and all supporting documents are uploaded when you lodge it through ImmiAccount. Before booking international travel, check the latest processing estimates using the Department of Home Affairs' Visa Processing Times Guide, as published timeframes are indicative and may change over time.
The Australia Visa Subclass 155 application is subject to a visa application charge set by the Australian Government. As visa fees are reviewed periodically, applicants should check the latest charges on the Department of Home Affairs website before lodging their application.
In addition to the visa application charge, some applicants may incur extra costs depending on their individual circumstances, such as:
Certified translations for documents that are not in English
Police clearance certificates or other character-related documents, if requested
Health examinations, if specifically requested by the Department of Home Affairs
Professional fees if you choose to use a registered migration agent or immigration lawyer
These additional expenses do not apply to every applicant. The total cost will depend on the supporting evidence required for your specific case.
Meeting the basic eligibility requirements does not automatically guarantee that a 155 Visa Australia application will be approved. The Department of Home Affairs assesses each application against the relevant provisions of the Migration Act 1958 and the Migration Regulations 1994. If an applicant cannot demonstrate that they meet the visa criteria, the application may be refused.
Applicants who have not been physically present in Australia for at least 730 days (two years) as a lawful resident during the five years immediately before applying may not qualify for a five-year travel facility. In these cases, applicants generally need to demonstrate that they have substantial ties that are beneficial to Australia or meet another applicable eligibility pathway.
Where an applicant relies on substantial business, cultural, employment or personal ties to Australia, these claims should be supported by relevant documentary evidence. If the evidence does not demonstrate ongoing and significant ties, the Department may determine that the visa requirements have not been met.
Applications should include documents that establish identity, travel history, residency history and any evidence supporting eligibility. If sufficient evidence is not provided, the Department may be unable to verify that the applicant satisfies the visa criteria.
Providing inaccurate, incomplete or inconsistent information can delay the assessment process and may affect the outcome of the application. Applicants should ensure that all details are accurate and consistent with the supporting documents submitted.
Applicants must satisfy all applicable visa requirements, including identity requirements and any relevant public interest criteria. Depending on individual circumstances, the Department may request additional information before making a decision.
Providing complete, accurate and well-supported documentation when lodging your application can help the Department assess your eligibility more efficiently and reduce the likelihood of unnecessary delays.
Every 155 Visa Australia application is assessed on its individual merits against the requirements set out in Australian migration legislation. While no application can be guaranteed approval, the following steps can help you submit a complete and well-supported application.
If you are relying on the residence requirement, ensure you have evidence of the time you have spent in Australia during the previous five years. Documents such as travel records, employment history, tax records, or residential documents may help support your application where required.
If you do not meet the 730-day residence requirement, you will generally need to demonstrate substantial business, cultural, employment, or personal ties that are of benefit to Australia. Supporting documents should clearly establish these ties rather than relying on general statements.
If your travel facility is close to expiring and you intend to travel internationally, consider applying for a Resident Return Visa before making travel plans. This can help reduce the risk of delays when returning to Australia.
Ensure your passport details, travel history, residency information, and supporting documents are accurate and consistent. Incomplete or incorrect information may delay the assessment of your application.
If the Department of Home Affairs requests additional documents or clarification, providing the requested information within the specified timeframe can help avoid unnecessary delays in processing.
The 155 Visa Australia is a Resident Return Visa that allows eligible Australian permanent residents and certain former permanent residents to regain or maintain a travel facility so they can leave and re-enter Australia while retaining their permanent resident status.
Generally, Australian permanent residents, former permanent residents, and certain former Australian citizens who meet the eligibility requirements may apply.
No. Your permanent resident status does not automatically expire. However, you may need a valid Resident Return Visa before returning to Australia if your travel facility has expired.
Depending on your eligibility, the travel facility may be granted for up to five years, one year, or a shorter period in certain circumstances.
Yes. Eligible applicants can generally lodge their application while either inside or outside Australia.
Processing times vary depending on the complexity of the application and whether all required documents have been provided.
Applicants who have spent at least 730 days in Australia during the previous five years generally meet the residence requirement for a longer travel facility. Those who do not meet this requirement may still qualify by demonstrating substantial ties to Australia.
Yes. As a permanent resident, you continue to have the right to work, study, and live in Australia.
There is generally no specific health insurance requirement for the Resident Return Visa, although maintaining adequate health cover is recommended based on your personal circumstances.
Yes. If your residency history is complex or you are unsure about your eligibility, consulting a registered migration agent may help you prepare a stronger application.
The 155 Visa Australia is an important option for Australian permanent residents whose travel facility has expired or is about to expire. It enables eligible individuals to maintain their permanent resident status while continuing to travel internationally without having to restart the migration process.
Whether you qualify through the residence requirement or by demonstrating substantial ties to Australia, submitting a complete application with strong supporting evidence can improve your chances of a smooth outcome. Because every case is assessed individually, understanding the eligibility criteria and preparing accurate documentation is essential.
If you are unsure about your eligibility for the Australia Visa Subclass 155 or need assistance with your application, seeking advice from a registered migration professional can help you understand your options and avoid unnecessary delays.
