A permanent residency (PR) visa allows the holder to stay in Australia indefinitely and includes a travel facility – usually valid for 5 years – that permits re-entry during that period.

However, once the 5-year travel facility expires, a permanent resident (PR) may be prevented from re-entering Australia after leaving the country. Therefore, it is important to apply for a Resident Return Visa (RRV) (Subclass 155/157) before travelling overseas.

If you are a current or former Australian PR or a former Australian citizen and wish to travel overseas and return to Australia, you may need an RRV.

What is a Resident Return Visa (RRV) (Subclass 155/157)?

You can apply for an RRV in or outside of Australia. There are two types of RRVs, which are Subclass 155 and Subclass 157:

	Subclass 155	Subclass 157
Duration	Up to 5 years	3 months
Who may apply	PR with significant ties or who meet residence requirements	PR who don’t meet residence requirements but have compelling reasons for leaving
Travel facility	Long-term and renewable	Short-term and for emergencies or exceptional cases only, non-renewable

How do I know which RRV I am eligible for?

Subclass 155

You may be eligible for the subclass 155 visa if:

You have lived in Australia as a permanent resident (PR) for at least 2 years (in accumulation) in the past 5 years; or
You have substantial ties or benefits to Australia and have not been absent from Australia for a continuous period of 5 years since the date PR was granted or since ceasing to be an Australian citizen.

Subclass 157

You may be eligible for the subclass 157 visa if:

You have spent at least 1 day but less than 2 years in the last 5 years as a lawful permanent resident in Australia; and
You have a compelling reason to leave Australia temporarily.

How much does it cost to apply for RRV(sc155/157)?

The visa application charge (VAC) for both (SC155/157) visas is AUD 475 for online applications and AUD 555 for paper applications. Additional charges may apply for dependents/applicants. Note: VAC may increase annually.
There may be third-party fees:
- Health checks: around AUD 450 (depends on the examination required by the Department)
- Police Checks:
  - AFP National Police Check: AUD 56
  - Overseas Police Certificates (if required): Vary by country
- Biometrics

What are the Common Mistakes one may make for RRV (SC155/157)?

Applying for an RRV might be complex if:

You do not satisfy the residency requirements
Your ties to Australia are difficult to prove or are not suitable
Your last subclass 155/157 visa application was refused
You’ve lost your PR/Citizenship due to character concerns or criminal matters.

In these cases, it’s best to speak with one of our Accredited Specialists in Immigration Law, Jason Ling or Angela De Silva.

Suppose you believe that your PR status is at risk due to a change of circumstances. We encourage you to seek professional guidance on visa strategies tailored to your specific circumstances by consulting with an immigration lawyer. Read our clients’ testimonials on Agape Henry Crux and Accredited Specialist in Immigration Law, Jason Ling. You can schedule an appointment with one of our lawyers or agents to seek professional advice by calling 02-8310 5230 or emailing us at info@ahclawyers.com.

We speak fluent English, Mandarin and Cantonese. We can also help you arrange an interpreter if this isn't your language.

This article/presentation (“publication”) does not deal extensively with important topics or changes in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you find this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances, please contact our office.

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