How Australian Resident Return Visa (Subclass 155 and 157) Works- Eligibility and Process to Apply

December 8, 2025

How Australian Resident Return Visa (Subclass 155 and 157) Works- Eligibility and Process to Apply

As an Australian permanent resident, you have the right to live and work here indefinitely. But there’s a catch many people don’t see coming: your visa’s initial travel facility is only good for 5 years. If you want to travel overseas and get back into Australia after that, you are going to need a Resident Return Visa (RRV). Getting the Resident Return Visa Australia process right is absolutely essential to protect your residency status.

This blog post lays out everything you should know about the RRV (Subclasses 155 and 157), from who qualifies to how you apply. At E-Help Consultants, we have walked countless clients through this exact procedure. Now, we are sharing what we have learned with you. The Resident Return Visa Australia process can be simple, but you have to get it right.

What Exactly is a Resident Return Visa (RRV)?

You are probably asking yourself, “My residency is permanent, so why another visa?” The truth is, your permanent visa lets you stay in Australia forever. It just does not let you re-enter forever. That initial travel pass is for 5 years. After that, leaving Australia without a valid RRV means you might not be allowed to come back as a permanent resident.

The RRV is the specific tool for renewing that travel permission. It’s what allows you to keep travelling for work, family, or holidays and still hold onto your hard-earned resident status. Don’t think of it as a new visa. It is just an extension of your travel rights, confirming your ongoing connection to the country.

Read About: How Australia PR Point Requirements Work – A Detailed Breakdown

Are You Eligible for a Resident Return Visa in 2026?

Your eligibility for an RRV mostly comes down to the time you have actually spent in Australia. The Department of Home Affairs provides a couple of different routes, and your personal situation will decide which visa you can obtain. To even apply, you must be a current or former Australian permanent resident or a former Australian citizen.

The 5-Year (Subclass 155) RRV Meeting the Residence Requirement

This is the most direct route. For a 5-year travel facility on a Subclass 155 visa, you need to have been physically in Australia for at least two years (that’s 730 days) within the 5 years just before you apply. Those days do not have to be all in one go. If you meet this residence rule, the Resident Return Visa Australia process is often incredibly fast; some are granted automatically in days.

What if You Don’t Meet the 2-Year Rule?

Let’s be honest, life gets in the way. A job assignment, family matters, or other duties can keep you out of Australia for a long time. If you have not clocked up the 730 days, you could still get a Subclass 155 visa with a 1-year travel facility. You just have to demonstrate “substantial ties of benefit to Australia.”

From our experience at E-Help, this is where the Resident Return Visa Australia process gets more involved. You have to supply powerful proof of your links to the country. These ties could be:

• Business Ties: Significant ownership or direct management of an Australian business.
• Cultural Ties: Your professional work in Australia’s arts, sports, or religious communities.
• Employment Ties: You have a job in Australia now, or a formal offer to start one.
• Personal Ties: Your close family is here, you own property, or you have a background of living here long-term.

The 3-Month (Subclass 157) RRV For Compelling Reasons

What happens if your connections aren’t quite “substantial,” or you have been gone for a very long time? The Subclass 157 visa could be an option. This visa gives you a 3-month travel facility. It’s typically for people who have been in Australia for at least one day in the last five years and have a compelling and compassionate reason for their time away or their need to leave. Think of unexpected family crises.

The Resident Return Visa Australia Process: A Step-by-Step Breakdown

Applying for your RRV is a clear-cut procedure, but it demands a sharp eye for detail. You’ll do the whole application online using your ImmiAccount.

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility and Gather Documents

Before anything else, confirm which RRV you are aiming for. If you’ve met the two-year residence rule, your passport might be all you need. If you’re going the substantial ties route, you will need to gather a lot of evidence—employment contracts, business records, property deeds, or documents for your family members, for example.

Step 2: Complete the Online Application

Log in to your ImmiAccount and get started on the form. Answer every question with total accuracy. The system is set up to consider you for both the Subclass 155 and 157 based on the details you provide.

Step 3: Pay the Application Fee

As of November 2025, the government’s fee for an online RRV application is AUD 490.00. This fee isn’t refundable, even if the application doesn’t succeed. You can pay with a credit/debit card, PayPal, or BPAY.

Step 4: Await the Decision

After you submit, you’ll get a notification from the Department of Home Affairs. If you applied in Australia, you can be here or overseas for the grant. If you applied from outside the country, you have to stay outside until you get a decision.

Quick Tip: You should always double-check your visa’s travel facility expiry date in VEVO (Visa Entitlement Verification Online). The Department might send a reminder, but at the end of the day, it’s your job to complete the Resident Return Visa Australia process on time.

Find out more: How to Get PR in Australia Without Skills Assessment

How Long Does an RRV Application Take in 2025?

You are probably wondering about the wait. The Resident Return Visa Australia process is very quick for some people and much slower for others. Applications that cleanly meet the two-year residence rule are often finished in a few working days. But if your case needs a person to review your substantial ties, processing will take longer.

Here is a general idea of estimated processing times as of November 2025:

Visa Pathway	Key Requirement Met	Typical Processing Time
Subclass 155 (5-Year)	2 in 5 Years Residence	1-5 working days
Subclass 155 (1-Year)	Substantial Ties	2-12 weeks
Subclass 157 (3-Month)	Compelling Reasons	1-3 months
Complex Cases	Character/Security Checks	Can take several months

 

Note: These are just estimates from the Department of Home Affairs. Processing times can shift depending on application numbers and the specifics of each case.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Your RRV Application

At E-Help, we have seen small errors create huge delays and even refusals. Here are some traps to steer clear of during the Resident Return Visa Australia process:

1. Miscalculating Residence Days: You have to be exact. The Department counts full days, so you need to be sure you have 730 days.
2. Providing Weak Evidence of Ties: One bank statement is not proof. Your evidence for substantial ties has to be thorough and convincing.
3. Letting Your Travel Facility Expire Before Applying: If you leave Australia after your travel facility has expired, your permanent visa will cease. You won’t be able to get back in without a new visa.
4. Incomplete or Incorrect Forms: Any missing detail or clerical error can result in a refusal without any request for more information.

What Are the RRV Application Costs in 2025?

Figuring out your budget is a practical step in the Resident Return Visa Australia process. The main expense is the visa application charge (VAC).

• Base Application Fee (Online): AUD 490.00
• Base Application Fee (Paper): AUD 570.00

In most cases, other costs only come up if the Department asks for them. These might include:

• Health Assessments: Approximately $300 – $500 AUD.
• Police Certificates: $50 – $100 AUD per certificate.
• Document Translation: $50 – $200 AUD, depending on the document.

Next Up: Steps for Australian PR after your Skills Assessment

Your Future as a Permanent Resident

Finishing the Resident Return Visa Australia process successfully is what gives you the freedom and flexibility that should come with being a permanent resident. The rules are clear, but situations that fall outside the standard two-year residence rule require careful preparation. Proving substantial ties is a detailed job where professional help can be a game-changer.

Looking forward, keeping your travel facility valid means you’re always prepared for global opportunities without putting your life in Australia at risk. Your next move is to check your eligibility and start getting your documents together long before your travel facility runs out.

If your situation feels complicated or you just want the confidence of knowing it’s done right, the team at E-Help Consultants is here to assist. Contact us for a personalised review of your visa processing needs and let our experience work for you.