Resident Return Visas (RRV)

There are two options for RRVs: 

A. RESIDENT RETURN VISA SUBCLASS 157

• Three Months Validity
  A three-month RRV may be granted to former Australian permanent residents who are not eligible for a five (5) year RRV grant. To be granted with 157 Visa, the applicant must have:
  1. spent a day but less than 2 years in the period of 5 years immediately before making a valid application, and
  2. compelling and compassionate reasons for his/her last departure from Australia.

B. RESIDENT RETURN VISA SUBCLASS 155

This Resident Return Visa (RRV) allows permanent and former permanent residents to regain or maintain their Australian permanent resident status if they re-enter Australia.

• Five Year Validity 
  The validity period of five (5) years shall be given to that permanent and former permanent who have lived inside Australia for two (2) years for the last five (5) years as a holder of a permanent resident visa.
   
• One Year Validity
  The validity period of one (1) year shall be given to that permanent and former permanent who failed to live inside Australia for two (2) years for the last five (5) years as a holder of a permanent resident visa but can still show "substantial" Australian ties. Substantial ties are defined as:

1. Business – substantial ownership in a business and perform functions at a senior level in the day-to-day operations and management of a business; or
2. Employment – obtaining a job or job offer from an Australian employer; or
3. Cultural – assume intellectual, artistic, sporting or religious activities adding to Australia’s cultural life; or
4. Personal – possess personal assets; or have family members who live in Australia; or being an active member of an Australian community and economy.
5. Those who lived outside Australia for more than continuous five years since their last granted permanent visa are required to demonstrate compelling reasons for their absence.
6. Family members have to apply for RRVs separately and pay separate application charges.
7. Holders of Ability to Return (ATR) or Return Endorsement (RE) documents in their passports do not need Resident Return Visas.
8. Holders of certain Business Skills visas that have been cancelled or are subject to notices of intention to cancel are not eligible for RRV.