Resident Return Visa – Subclass 155 and Subclass 157
The Resident Return Visa (RRV) Subclass 155 and 157 is used to leave and/or re-enter Australia after your 5 year travel facility has expired. an Australian permanent resident.
This visa applies to Australian permanent residents, former Australian permanent resident whose last permanent visa was not cancelled and former Australian citizen who lost or renounced Australian citizenship.
Resident Return Visa (Subclass 155/157) Requirements
- Be an Australian permanent resident, former permanent resident or an Australian citizen that renounced their citizenship.
- Meet residence or substantial ties requirement
- Meet health and character requirements.
Substantial ties requirement
Your ties must be both substantial and of benefit to Australia. Your ties can be:
- Business ties
- Company reports defining your role and authority
- Business transactions
- Partnership or joint venture agreements
- Contracts showing your signature
- Business or personal records.
- Cultural ties
- Publications written by you
- Contracts
- Evidence of membership of cultural associations
- Newspaper articles about you
- Programs listing your artistic or cultural performances.
- Employment ties
- Employment contracts
- A letter of offer from an employer
- Recent official documents such as group certificates and payslips
- Employee identification or security pass.
- Personal ties (including family ties)
Resident Return Visa (Subclass 155) and (Subclass 157), What’s the Difference?
The Subclass 155 can be valid for either 1 year or 5 years, while the 157 will only be valid for a period of 3 months. When you apply for the resident return visa you are actually applying for both subclasses and depending on your circumstances you will either be granted a 157 or 155.
So essentially the difference is based around your residency status in Australia i.e. how much time have you spent in Australia in the last 5 years. The other major difference is just how long the validity of the visa and/or travel facility is.
Resident Return Visa (Subclass 155) – (Subclass 157) Application Process
You can apply for a Resident Return visa from inside or outside Australia. You can also apply online or by postal mail filing Form 1085.
You will need to supply supporting documentation to prove:
- Your identity: Certified copies of your passport; AND
- Your immigration status: Evidence of your current or former permanent resident visa; OR
- Your ties with Australia: If you do not meet the residence requirement you must prove your substantial ties with Australia. This may be business, employment, personal or cultural related.
Resident Return Visa Subclass 155 – 157 Processing Time 2024
As of October 2022, the processing time for a Resident Return Visa subclass 155 is generally less than a day in most cases however be prepared that it may take up to 80 days to process.
But it might take longer to process if you don’t fill in the application correctly or you don’t include all the documents that are needed, that’s why it’s important to know all the information before you apply for this visa.
Resident Return Visa Subclass 155 – 157 Cost 2024
As of July 1st 2024, the visa charge is AUD 475 to apply online.
Frequently Asked Questions For RRV Subclass 155 – 157
ONE derland Consulting managing director and also registered migration agent, Indah Melindasari, B.Com (MARN 0961 448) is here to answer your questions!
- How early can I apply for RRV?
- You can apply for the Resident Return Visa at any time during which you have completed 2 years of residence in Australia. You do not need to wait for your visa to expire.
- How many times can I apply for a Resident Return visa?
- There are no limits on the number of Resident Return visas you can apply for.
- How long does a Resident Return visa last?
- The resident return visa subclass 155 will extend your travel facility for another 5 or 1 year depending on your circumstances. The resident return visa subclass 157 will extend your travel facility for 3 months.
- How long can you be outside of Australia and Still Apply for a Resident Return Visa?
- You may apply for a Resident Return Visa if you have been away for up to 10 years, however you must provide compelling reasons for any absences of 5 continuous years in that time period.
- Can a Resident Return visa be rejected?
- Yes, Just because you are a permanent resident now or previously it does not automatically guarantee the Resident Return Visa will be granted.
- Can you apply for RRV from outside Australia?
- Yes, the Resident Return Visa subclass 155 and 157 can be applied for inside or outside of Australia.
Obtaining 155 -157 Visa in Simple Five Steps
First step: Check your eligibility
The first thing you need to do before starting the application is to check your current residency status which can be checked through your VEVO account. Determine whether you are a current permanent resident, a former permanent within the eligible time period or if you’re a former citizen that renounced citizenship due to for example a country not allowing dual nationality.
Once this has been established you will have to look at what the requirements for your specific circumstances are.
Second step: Gather all the required documents
You will need to provide identification documents, proof of immgration status and also any document relating to your ties to Australia. If your case is more complicated, such as in the case of having been outside of Australia for 5 years, Then there will be further documentation required to evidence your substantial ties and/or compelling reasons as to why you were away.
Once this is done you may submit an application.
Third step: Apply for the Resident Return visa
Once you have gathered all the required documents, you can start the application. You can lodge a Resident Return visa application online through IMMI or by postal mail filing Form 1085.
Fourth step: Await the Decision
When you have lodged the application, you can upload the documents on a regular basis.
Fifth Step: Grant Resident Return Visa subclass 155 – 157
Processing time varies. Applications for this visa are subject to availability and queuing process.
Once your Resident Return Visa is granted, you will be allowed to travel in and out of Australia as a permanent resident, work and enrol for public health scheme Medicare again.
Just note that if you are granted the subclass 157 then the validity time of your visa will only be 3 months and you will need to consider options to extend your visa.
Ready to start with your 155/157 visa application?
DHA recommends for people who wants to obtain Australian visa seeks migration agent help for their visa application to reduces the risk of refusal. We are here ready to help you so you don’t waste your money, time and chances migrating to Australia.
“Massive thanks to all the team specially Indah and Jamie. My visa conditions was very complicated but they did a great job. Definitely one of the best.”
Maria Helen De Guzman
Bridging Visa E
Indah Melindasari, B.Com
Lead Migration Agent – MARN 0961 448
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