Resident Return Visa (Subclass 155 & 157) Australia

Most permanent residency visas allow you to travel multiple times to and from Australia for the first five years. Once this period is over, travelling outside Australia can affect your ability to return as a permanent resident of the nation. This is where the Resident Return Visa Subclass 155 and 157 help eligible permanent residents to maintain their re-entry and continue travelling overseas. Whether you are planning for an overseas trip, returning after an extended period or renewing your travel facility, a clear insight about this visa is essential.

Permanent resident visas generally include a limited travel facility for overseas travel. Once this travel facility expires, a Resident Return Visa (RRV) allows eligible permanent residents to continue travelling overseas while maintaining their permanent residency status in Australia. The RRV has the following two subclasses:

• Subclass 155 Visa: Provides up to 5 years of travelling validity.
• Subclass 157 Visa: Provides up to 3 months of travelling validity.

To apply for a Resident Return Visa subclass 155 or 157, applicants usually need to meet specific residency and visa requirements. The following are a few common criteria that you must meet for the RRV:

• Hold or previously held a permanent visa.
• Meet the residency requirements for the relevant visa subclass.
• Show substantial ties that benefit the country, if residency requirements are not fully met.
• Meet character requirement.
• Have a valid passport.

There are several factors that influence the approval of the subclass 157 and 155 Resident Return Visa application. Meeting the basic eligibility criteria alone may not always be sufficient, as decision-makers also assess the quality, accuracy and supporting evidence provided with the application.

Here are a few crucial subclass 157 and 155 visa requirements that you must meet for this visa approval:

• Provide clear evidence of ongoing ties, such as employment, business, family or cultural connection.
• Submit complete and clear information across all application documents.
• Maintain a strong travel and immigration compliance history.
• Ensure all identity and travel documents are current and valid.
• Respond promptly to any requests for additional information.
• Demonstrate genuine reasons for maintaining permanent residency connections.
• Lodge the application within the appropriate timeframe before planned travel arrangements.

Supporting documents play a significant role in helping Australian immigration authorities to verify an applicant’s residency history, travel movements, and ongoing connection to the nation. The required documents for the Resident Return Visa application may differ based on an individual’s circumstances and length of time spent overseas.

The most common required documents for the 157 and 155 subclass visa are as follows:

• Valid passport.
• Identity documents.
• Travel history.
• Entry/exit records.
• Previous permanent visa grant details.
• Evidence of living in the country, such as lease agreements or utility bills.
• Employment, business, family, or cultural tie documents.
• Documents explaining long absences from the country, where applicable.
• Character or police clearance documents, if requested.

To collect all of these documents, you can also take assistance from a visa consultant for Australia. They have in-depth expertise across all Australian visas.

The approval and validity of the travel facility for the 157 and 155 return visa applicants may vary depending on multiple factors. Some of which include:

• Applicants who meet the resident requirement by living for a minimum of 2 years in the last 5 years in Australia as a permanent resident may receive a 5-year travel facility.
• Applicants who do not meet the resident requirement but can demonstrate substantial ties that benefit the nation may receive up to 12 months of travel facility.
• Applicants who apply as a member of the family unit of a person who already holds an RRV may receive a maximum 12-month travel facility. The same travel validity may also apply to applicants linked to a separate RRV application that meets the required time of application criteria for visa grant.
• Applicants who do not meet the standard RRV requirements may still receive a 3-month travel facility under visa 157 in certain situations. This may apply where compelling and compassionate reasons for departure are provided, and the applicant has not spent time outside the country during the 5 years before applying.

The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) periodically updates the visa processing time of most visas. The timeline of recently approved visas is often updated on DHA’s official visa processing time guide. For the Resident Return Visa Subclass 155 & 157, the processing times are as follows:

*Visa processing time is subject to change as per the application volume and the applicant’s profile. Always check the DHA’s official portal for the recent processing time.

The application cost for the subclasses 155 and 157 Resident Return Visa are typically applied online unless the DHA authorises you to apply on paper. The typical cost of this visa is as follows:

*The visa cost is subject to change as per the DHA’s updates.

The resident return subclass 155 and 157 applications might be delayed if important documents, travel records or supporting evidence are incomplete or inconsistent. Here’s a brief look at some common challenges and ways to avoid them:

Incomplete identity, travel, and residency documentation could cause delays in visa assessments. To avoid any possible delay, applicants would be encouraged to check for document requirements and make sure that they submit supportive materials as required.

Inconsistencies in travel history information between the application, passport information, and travel dates could lead to further verification checks. In turn, these could contribute to the delay in the assessment process. To avoid this, individuals should take into account the information they submit as part of the application package.

Sometimes, applicants will be asked to provide additional information during the assessment of visa 155 and 157. Delay in response to the request could lead to delays during the process. Applicants should take into consideration the time frame of the visa process when planning their trip.

Applications with incorrect personal details may face unnecessary complications during processing. Errors in names, passport numbers or identification records can also create issues when verifying travel history and residency status. Checking all identity documents carefully before submission can help reduce the risk of avoidable delays.

Application for Resident Return Visa just before travelling abroad may cause additional checks or document requests arising during processing. Unexpected delays can affect travel plans, specifically for applications involving complex residency or substantial ties assessments. Thus, lodging the application well before intended travel dates can provide you more time for assessment and help reduce last-minute complications.

Professional immigration assistance from regional experts like migration agents Perth can help you with collecting the right documents for the RRV application. They can also help you with the following aspects:

• Identify potential issues before lodging the application.
• Assist with explaining long overseas absences where required.
• Review application details for accuracy and consistency.
• Provide guidance on travel facility validity and future travel planning.
• Support communication with immigration authorities during processing.

When it comes to preparing error-free and correct applications, there’s no denying the advantage of professional help. That’s not all; expert assistance can also help you with the processing, documentation, and approval formalities. So, here’s your chance! Don’t risk delays or refusals—connect with an expert Migration Agent in Perth today and secure your Resident Return Visa with expert guidance.