Resident Return Visa 155

Resident Return Visa (Subclass 155)

Regain your right to return to Australia as a permanent resident.

If you are a current or former permanent resident of Australia whose travel facility has expired or is about to expire, the Subclass 155 Resident Return Visa (RRV) allows you to re-enter Australia and maintain your status as a permanent resident.

At Tolic Lawyers, we assist individuals with preparing strong, well-documented RRV applications — especially where applicants have spent extended periods outside Australia and need to demonstrate substantial ties of benefit to Australia.

What is the Resident Return Visa (Subclass 155)?

Australian permanent residence does not expire — but the travel facility attached to your permanent visa does, usually five years from the date your visa was granted. Once that facility lapses, you can still live in Australia, but you cannot leave and re-enter as a permanent resident without a new RRV. The Subclass 155 visa renews that travel facility, with either a five-year or one-year validity depending on your circumstances.

Who is eligible for an RRV?

When you lodge an RRV application, you are assessed against the criteria for the Subclass 155 (and, as a fallback, the Subclass 157). There are three main pathways to a Subclass 155:

1. The residence pathway — 5-year travel facility

You may be granted a 5-year travel facility if you have been lawfully present in Australia for a total of at least 2 years (730 days) in the last 5 years as the holder of a permanent visa (or permanent entry permit), or as an Australian citizen. This is the cleanest pathway, and complete applications are often decided quickly.

2. The substantial ties pathway — 1-year travel facility

If you do not meet the 2-in-5 residence requirement, you may still be granted a 1-year (12-month) travel facility if you can demonstrate substantial ties to Australia that are of benefit to Australia. If you have been absent from Australia for a continuous period of 5 years or more immediately before applying, you must also demonstrate compelling reasons for that absence.

3. The family member pathway — up to a 1-year travel facility

You may be granted an RRV with up to a 12-month travel facility as a member of the family unit of a person who already holds an RRV, or who has applied for one and meets the criteria for grant.

If you cannot meet the Subclass 155 criteria, the Subclass 157 may be available as a short-term fallback — it grants only a 3-month travel facility and requires compelling and compassionate reasons for your absence. A well-prepared 155 application is almost always the better outcome.

RRV travel facilities at a glance

How the residence period is calculated

• The 2-year residence requirement is counted as 730 days.
• The 5-year period is counted backward from the date your application is lodged.
• Both your arrival and departure days are included in the count — and even part-days count as full days.

Because the count is precise, we recommend requesting your movement (travel) records from the Department of Home Affairs and checking your travel facility in VEVO before you lodge.

What if you’ve been outside Australia for a long time?

If you don’t meet the 2-year residence requirement, your application will turn on substantial ties of benefit to Australia. The law recognises four categories, and strong applications are backed by documentary evidence:

• Business ties — owning or managing a business in Australia (ASIC records, shareholding, company financials, active Australian contracts)
• Employment ties — an Australian job or job offer, PAYG summaries, superannuation contributions, professional registration
• Cultural ties — leadership or recognised contribution in Australian community, arts, sporting or cultural organisations
• Personal ties — Australian citizen or permanent resident family members, property ownership, long-term lease, children’s school enrolments

You must also explain why you have been outside Australia — for example work, illness, caring for family, living with an Australian partner abroad, or children completing their schooling. Where your continuous absence reaches five years or more, those reasons must rise to the level of compelling, supported by independent evidence. The longer the absence, the stronger the case must be — which is exactly where careful legal preparation makes the difference.

Benefits of the Subclass 155 visa

• Regain your right to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident
• Keep your pathway to Australian citizenship open
• Maintain travel flexibility throughout your visa’s validity

Why choose Tolic Lawyers?

We have extensive experience handling RRV applications, especially for clients who have lived overseas for extended periods. We provide:

• Customised legal submissions addressing compelling reasons and substantial ties of benefit
• Timely lodgement of applications before your travel facility expires
• Strategic legal advice to protect your permanent residency status

Frequently asked questions

Does my permanent residency expire if my travel facility lapses?

No. Your permanent residence does not expire. What lapses is the travel facility — your ability to leave and re-enter Australia as a permanent resident. To restore that ability, you apply for a Resident Return Visa (Subclass 155).

How long is the RRV travel facility?

A Subclass 155 can be granted with a 5-year travel facility if you meet the 2-years-in-5 residence requirement, or a 1-year facility if you rely on substantial ties of benefit to Australia. The Subclass 157 fallback grants only 3 months.

What counts as substantial ties to Australia?

Substantial ties fall into four categories — business, employment, cultural and personal — and must be of genuine benefit to Australia. Property ownership alone is rarely enough; the Department looks at the whole picture, supported by documentary evidence.

I’ve been overseas for more than 5 years. Can I still apply?

Possibly. If your continuous absence is five years or more, you must show compelling reasons for the absence in addition to your substantial ties. These cases require carefully prepared submissions and strong supporting evidence.

How much does a Resident Return Visa cost?

As at 2025–26, the visa application charge is AUD $490 for an online application (with an additional fee for paper lodgement). The charge is non-refundable and should be verified on the Department of Home Affairs website before lodging.

What happens if my RRV is refused?

If your RRV is refused while you are in Australia, you may have the right to seek merits review at the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART). Strict time limits apply, so obtain legal advice promptly.

Need help with your RRV application?

Don’t risk a refusal. If your travel facility is expiring, or you have spent years overseas and are unsure whether you still qualify, our team is here to help. At Tolic Lawyers, we prepare strong, well-evidenced Resident Return Visa (Subclass 155) applications for clients across Australia and overseas.

Tolic Lawyers — Immigration & Employment Law

Suite 19/103 George Street, Parramatta NSW 2150

P: (02) 8077 2562   ·   E:    ·   toliclawyers.com.au

Disclaimer: This article is general information only and is current as at June 2026. It is not legal or migration advice. Resident Return Visa eligibility, fees and processing depend on your individual circumstances and current legislation. Please obtain advice tailored to your situation from a qualified legal practitioner before acting. Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.