Regain Your Right to Return to Australia

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 and maintain your status as a permanent resident.

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

✅ Who Is Eligible?

You must either:

• Have been present in Australia for 2 years in the last 5 years as the holder of a permanent visa (or permanent entry permit), or as an Australian citizen — in which case, you may be granted a 5-year travel facility.

OR

• Be outside Australia and:
  • Have not been absent for 5 continuous years or more before the date of application (unless you have compelling reasons),
  • Hold a permanent visa or last left Australia as a permanent resident or citizen (but later lost citizenship),
  • Be able to demonstrate substantial ties to Australia that are of benefit to Australia,
  • → You may be granted a 12-month travel facility.

OR

• Be outside Australia and:
  • Were an Australian citizen or permanent resident less than 10 years before applying,
  • Not absent for periods totalling more than 5 years (unless you have compelling reasons),
  • Be able to demonstrate substantial ties to Australia that are of benefit to Australia,
  • → You may be granted a 12-month travel facility.

OR

• Be in Australia and:
  • Demonstrate substantial ties to Australia that are of benefit, and
  • Have not been absent for 5 continuous years since grant of your last permanent visa or loss of citizenship (unless you have compelling reasons),
  • → You may be granted a 12-month travel facility.

OR

• Be a member of the family unit of a person who:
  • Already holds an RRV or has applied for one and meets the criteria,
  • → You may be granted a 12-month travel facility.

Important Notes on Calculations

• The 2-year residence is counted as 730 days.
• The 5-year period is counted backward from the date of application lodgement.
• Arrival and departure days are both included in the count. Even part-days count as full days.

📌 What If You’ve Been Outside Australia for a Long Time?

If you don’t meet the 2-year residence requirement, you’ll need to rely on substantial ties of benefit to Australia, which can include:

• Business ties
• Cultural ties
• Employment ties
• Personal ties (such as family members who are Australian citizens or PR holders)

You must also explain why you’ve been outside Australia — e.g., work, illness, family obligations or living with Australian partner abroad or children completing schooling.

💡 Benefits of the Subclass 155 Visa

• Regain your right to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident
• Keep your path to Australian citizenship open
• Maintain travel flexibility within your visa validity

📂 Why Choose Tolic Lawyers?

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

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

📞 Need Help With Your RRV Application?

Don’t risk a refusal. If your travel facility is expiring, or you’ve spent years overseas and are unsure whether you still qualify, our team is here to help.

📅 Book a consultation

Book a consultation with our migration team today.