Being a permanent resident of Australia comes with many privileges and benefits. Still, it also has certain conditions that the visa beneficiary must follow to become a lawful resident of Australia. Permanent residents in Australia can travel freely from Australia for five years. You need not worry about visas or permissions during these five years. However, if you spend too long a time outside Australia, you could lose your permanent residency status. On the contrary, your PR visa status never expires if you remain in Australia.

You’d be surprised to know that if you never leave Australia, you can continue to reside in the country indefinitely without having to apply for another visa. The five-year period for permanent residents is crucial. They can decide whether they want to apply for Australian citizenship or continue living like permanent residents and retain their original nationality. In the latter case, visa holders must renew their travel facilities to be able to come back to Australia after overseas travels. The automatic right to return to Australia is reserved only for Australian citizens.

That is where the term Resident Return Visa (RRV) comes in.

What is a Resident Return Visa?

Known as subclasses 155 and 157, the Resident Return Visa is issued to permanent residency holders whose travel facility has expired. The RRV allows visa holders to return to Australia as permanent residents.

Suppose an Australia PR visa holder plans to travel abroad after five years, they have a right to re-enter Australia, which is possible with the help of an Australian Resident Return visa. 

One can apply for more than one Resident Return visas (RRV), so long as the grounds are legit.

Resident Return visas (RRV) can also be granted to permanent residents who have been living overseas for quite a long time. However, the government will only issue the permit in cases where there is a compelling reason for not being able to return.

Requirements for Resident Return Visa

• There is no age requirement for the resident return visa
• You must be a permanent resident of Australia
• Lived in Australia for at least two out of the last five years. These two years need not be consecutive – you can calculate the time over the five years preceding the lodgment of your application.
• Former Australian PR whose last permanent visa was not canceled,
• Be able to demonstrate substantial ties to Australia that benefit the country.
• Meet health and character requirements
• Not have cancellation action against your business skills visa

How long is the RRV visa valid for?

The Resident Return visa is valid for five years if you fulfill the two-year residence requirements or hold business, cultural, employment, or personal ties to Australia. Otherwise, you can have a RRV against a compelling reason to travel overseas, the validity of a Resident Return visa is only three months (subclass 157). For more information get in touch with our certified immigration consultants by ringing us at 8595338595 or mail us at [email protected]