Renewing Permanent Residency – 155 & 157 Resident Return Visas
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Is your Australian permanent residency visa about to expire? Or has it expired already? Do you need to apply for a visa in order to travel overseas and return to Australia? You may be able to apply for a Subclass 155 Resident Return visa (link to online 155 visa application form).
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International travel with permanent residency visas
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Generally speaking, once you are granted an Australian permanent residency visa, this visa will allow you to travel in and out of Australia for a period of 5 years from the date of grant. This is referred to as your ‘international travel facility’. This does not mean that you are only allowed to lawfully remain in Australia for 5 years. As a permanent resident, you are allowed to lawfully remain in Australia indefinitely as a permanent resident as long as you arrive in Australia before your current permanent residency visa expires.
However, the travel facility on your permanent residency visa does expire after 5 years from when you are granted permanent residency. If you want to travel overseas after your travel facility has expired, then you will need obtain a Subclass 155 Resident Return Visa (“RRV”) (assuming that you have not obtained Australian citizenship in the meantime).
Depending on your situation, if you are granted a RRV, it will either be valid for 5 years or 1 year (although there is also a Subclass 157 Resident Return Visa which is valid for 3 months – see explanation below).
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Main eligibility requirements for 155 visa
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The key eligibility requirements for the Subclass 155 and 157 Resident Return visas are outlined below:
- 155 visa which is valid for 5 years – in the last 5 years that precedes the lodgement of your RRV application, you have been in Australia as a permanent resident for at least 2 years out of the 5. You must satisfy this requirement to obtain a 155 RRV that is valid for 5 years
- 155 visa which is valid for 1 year – you have been in Australia for at least 1 day in the last 5 years as the holder of a permanent residency visa and you have substantial, business, cultural, employment and/or personal ties to Australia which are of benefit to Australia (explained below)
- 155 visa which is valid for 1 year – since the grant of your permanent residency visa, you have been absent from Australia for a period of 5 years of more, there are compelling reasons for your absence (explained below) and you have substantial, business, cultural, employment and/or personal ties to Australia which are of benefit to Australia
- 157 visa which is valid for 3 months – you have been in Australia for at least 1 day in the last 5 years as the holder of a permanent residency visa and ‘compelling and compassionate reasons’ that caused your last departure from Australia OR if you are in Australia and need to travel, you can show a compelling and compassionate reason for having to leave Australia
Mandatory requirement for all Resident Return visa applicants
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In order to apply for a RRV, you must be either:
- An Australian permanent resident (i.e. hold a permanent residency visa)
- A former Australian citizen who has lost or renounced Australian citizenship
- A former Australian permanent resident, other than a former Australian permanent resident whose most recent permanent visa was cancelled
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Resident Return visa – valid for 5 years
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You must satisfy this requirement to obtain a Subclass 155 Resident Return visa that is valid for 5 years – in the last 5 years that precedes the lodgement of your RRV application, you have been in Australia as a permanent resident for at least 2 years out of the 5.
Two years is defined as 730 days in total. You do not have to complete two consecutive years of residence in Australia. You can accumulate the required two years over the 5 year period that precedes the lodgement of your application.
You can only count the time that you have spent in Australia as a permanent resident or Australian citizen (i.e. you cannot count any time that you held a temporary visa or a bridging visa towards the 2 years). You can count both your date of arrival and departure from Australia, assuming that these dates are different days.
You must satisfy the above requirement in order to obtain a Subclass 155 Resident Return visa that is valid for 5 years. There are no exemptions that will get you around satisfying this requirement. You may be able to obtain a RRV with 1 year of international travel facility if you cannot satisfy this requirement.
Perhaps it is easier to explain this requirement with an example: the international travel facility of your current permanent residency visa is about to expire on 30 January 2014. You decide to be safe and apply for an RRV on 1 January 2014. The relevant five year period that precedes the lodgement of the application is from 1 January 2009 to 1 January 2014. During that period, have you spent at least 730 days in Australia as the holder of a permanent residency visa? If so, then you can apply for an RRV with 5 years of international travel facility.
If you do satisfy this requirement, then you can apply for your RRV online. You can lodge your application while you are inside of Australia, or outside of Australia. The process should be pretty straight forward, and the Department should be able to grant the visa within days or weeks of lodgement.
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Resident Return visa – valid for 1 year
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If you have been in Australia for less than 2 years in the 5 year period that precedes the lodgement of your application, then you may be able to obtain a RRV with 1 year of international travel facility if you meet the below eligibility requirements:
- You have been physically present in Australia, however you have been in Australia for less than 2 years during the 5 year period that precedes the lodgement of your application
- You have not been absent from Australia for a continuous period of 5 years or more since the grant of your permanent residency visa
- You currently hold an Australian permanent residency visa or last departed Australia as an Australian permanent resident or last departed Australia as an Australian citizen, but has subsequently lost or renounced Australian citizenship OR You were an Australian citizen, or an Australian permanent resident, less than 10 years before the application, and you have not been absent from Australia for a period of, or periods that total, more than 5 years in the period from the date that you last departed Australia as an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident to the date of the application, unless there are compelling reasons for the absence.
- You have substantial, business, cultural, employment and/or personal ties to Australia which are of benefit to Australia
If you need to show substantial ties to Australia, then you need to submit evidence to demonstrate this.
If you do not meet the second requirement because you have been absent from Australia for a continuous period of 5 years or more since the grant of your permanent residency visa, then you will need to demonstrate ‘compelling reasons’ for your absence (further explanation below).
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Substantial ties requirement
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You can show substantial ties by having business, cultural, employment and/or personal ties.
The Department’s policy does recognise that the longer that you have been away from Australia, the more difficult it may be for you to establish ‘substantial ties’.
Extract from the Department’s policy: In general, it becomes increasingly difficult to demonstrate substantial ties of benefit over extended periods of absence. This is in part because the longer the period of absence the more difficult it is to continue to maintain ties of sufficient import to be considered ‘substantial’.
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Employment ties
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If you have an employment opportunity in Australia, then you may be able to establish ‘substantial ties’ on this basis. The nature of the work is a relevant consideration (i.e. is it permanent, temporary or contract? Is it full-time, part-time or casual?). Policy states that ‘casual work would not normally be considered to be a substantial tie unless the applicant had been living in Australia for a significant period in the last 2 years’.
The Department can consider the following in assessing whether your employment ties is of benefit to Australia:
- Whether the role aligns with your qualifications and experience
- Whether the role is due to commence immediately
- Whether you can demonstrate an intention to stay in Australia for the long term by providing evidence such as a lease agreement, or enrolling your children in school
The Department will also need to consider the ‘genuineness’ of your claim of employment ties (to stop people from forming fraudulent employment ties in order to apply for a RRV).
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Personal ties
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The Department’s policy in relation to substantial personal ties: Substantial personal ties may be of benefit to Australia in the sense that the applicant is, or has been, a participating member of the Australian community and economy, and that their ties enrich the lives of individual Australian residents and citizens.
Policy also states that allowing you to live with your family can be considered to be of benefit to Australia if there is evidence that you and your family have imminent plans to live in Australia permanently. The following examples are given:
- If your partner is an Australian citizen and you’re living with your partner outside of Australia. Policy states that this situation ‘should be given considerable weight’
- If you’re living overseas with your family and your family includes children (or a child) who are under 18 and are Australian citizens, and you provide evidence to show that you have immediate plans to return to Australia. Policy states that ‘this tie should be given considerable weight’
- If you are an Australian citizen and your child is an Australian permanent resident and you need to apply for a RRV for your child. If your child is living outside of Australia with you, policy states this situation ‘should be given considerable weight’ in establishing substantial ties for your child’s RRV application
Other basis for personal ties that are mentioned in The Department’s policy include:
- If you have a history of long term residence in Australia prior to the last 5 years, particularly if you have spent your formative years in Australia or has spent a significant amount of time in Australia since first being granted a permanent visa. The longer that you’ve been in Australia since you were granted permanent residency, the more weight is placed on this factor
- Personal assets in Australia such as a family home or single investment property. However, whether this personal tie is of benefit to Australia is dependent on whether it is occupied, for example, by a close family member or actively being rented
- Having close family members who are Australian citizens or permanent residents and these family members have substantial residence in Australia (I assume that The Department’s policy means that your family members have been living in Australia for a substantial period of time)
With personal ties, if you can show an intention to make Australia your home and you intend to reside here permanently, then you should include evidence that demonstrates this.
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Business ties
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Under The Department’s policy, the applicant needs to ‘to have substantial ownership interests in a business and be involved in the management of the business, however they do not need to have physical residence in Australia. This business should be an Australian business or a branch of a business which has connections with Australia’.
When The Department assesses whether your business ties are of benefit to Australia, your case officer can consider the following (and of course, you’ll need to provide supporting evidence):
- Your business has led to the creation of employment opportunities in Australia, or for Australian citizens or permanent residents outside of Australia
- Whether your business generates revenue in or for Australia
- Size of the business
- Whether your business enhances links with other countries
- Whether your business has resulted in the transfer of Australian knowledge and/or technologies offshore and/or evidence of introducing new technologies into Australia.
The above list of considerations is not an exhaustive list. If you have business ties to Australia (i.e. you have substantial ownership interests in a business), then you should have a think about the benefits and relationships that your business is delivering to Australia and Australians, and whether you can evidence these benefits and relationships.
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Cultural ties
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Below is The Department’s policy extract in relation to what constitutes cultural ties:
A substantial cultural tie of benefit to Australia may exist if the applicant’s cultural pursuits are conducted at a professional level or with a degree of public recognition. Some examples of persons who may have substantial cultural ties include, but are not limited to:
- A person who is accepted as a member of a cultural community within Australia who is actively involved in traditional activities
- A person involved in the Arts at a professional level
- Members of religious communities in Australia or
- Sports persons or professional support staff who are members of Australian sporting associations.
Evidence to support a claim of cultural ties of benefit to Australia may include:
- Publications
- Contracts
- Evidence of membership of cultural associations
- Newspaper articles
- Programs from concerts, etc.
As a general observation it is likely that the reasons claimed as cultural ties would be consistent with the basis for the grant of their original permanent visa.
We are sorry but if you leave a comment listing all our connections and ask whether your connections are sufficient, we will not be able to provide you with an answer. We cannot provide you with definite advice as unless we have completed an assessment. We need to have a thorough understanding of all your connections with Australia before we can provide you with definite and useful advice.
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Compelling reasons for absence from Australia
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If you have been absent from Australia for a continuous period of 5 years or more since the grant of your permanent residency visa, then you will need to demonstrate ‘compelling reasons’ for your absence.
The Department’s policy guidelines do provide examples in relation to what may constitute ‘compelling reasons’. Examples include severe illness or death of an overseas family member or been caught up in a natural disaster, political uprising or other similar event. It is not always easy to demonstrate compelling reasons. And generally speaking, ‘every day’ reason for not being in Australia such as work or study commitments are not considered to be ‘compelling’.
Satisfying your case officer that there are ‘compelling reasons’ for your absence can be difficult, and whether your case officer accepts your reasons is discretionary. So if you want to retain the right to travel in and out of Australia as a permanent resident, then we would strongly suggest that you try and avoid this situation where you are absent from Australia for a continuous period of 5 years or more since the grant of your permanent residency visa.
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Subclass 157 – 3 month Resident Return visa
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If you cannot obtain a 155 visa, you may be able to apply for the Subclass 157 Resident Return visa. Specifically, if you do not have any substantial ties with Australia, you may still be able to apply for the 157 visa because you do not need to demonstrate substantial ties with Australia for this visa.
If you are granted this visa, then it is valid for a period of 3 months. This is a permanent residency visa, and you will be allowed to remain in Australia indefinitely if you return to Australia as the holder of this visa.
In order to obtain this visa, you need to demonstrate that:
- In the 5 year period that precedes the lodgement of the application, you have been lawfully present in Australia for at least 1 day as an Australian permanent resident or citizen (you cannot rely on time spent in Australia under a temporary or bridging visa in order to satisfy this requirement)
- There are ‘compelling and compassionate reasons’ that caused your last departure from Australia OR if you are in Australia and need to travel, you can show a compelling and compassionate reason for having to leave Australia
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How we can help
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Please Contact Us if you require our assistance.
Our Client Testimonials reflect:
- the excellence of our work
- our willingness take on the difficult cases and achieve the outcomes that our clients want
- our willingness to cater our services to the precise needs of our clients, including working outside of normal business hours and providing limited assistance where needed such as helping to resolve a specific issue or issues with a particular application
- our ability to assist business and private clients from all over Australia and the world! We are based in Sydney NSW, however, we have assisted business and private clients from all over Australia and the world. We have never had issues with assisting clients that we don’t get to meet in person
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Frequently asked questions
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- Q: Can I apply for the RRV even though my permanent residency visa has expired?
A: As explained above, you can still meet the eligibility requirements for a RRV even if your permanent residency visa has expired - Q: Do I need to be in Australia at the time of lodgement?
A: Generally speaking, no - Q: Should I apply for a RRV before my current permanent residency visa expires?
A: You can if you want. If it is granted, then the new RRV will replace whatever substantive visa that you were holding - Q: Is there any limit on the number of RRV that I can be granted?
A: No - Q: If my application is refused, can I apply again?
A: Yes, but the result may be the same unless you change your application in some way - Q: If I outline my reasons for being away from Australia, can you confirm whether these will be sufficient for ‘compelling reasons for absence’?
A: See above response
* Subject to completion of assessment, and confirmation that we can assist with the application.
Hi Peng,
Requesting your input here please. I am on RR visa ( Visa expiring in – 2020 ). My wife has applied for her RRV as her PR got expired . Meanwhile I would like to sponsor for my 2 kids for PR ( 1 Indian born, 1 American born). Shall I do that ? And may I know how long the process takes once I submitted the visa request.
Thanks
Amala
Hi Amala,
Please see department website for child visa information, which also provides information about current processing times: https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/trav/brin/chil
PC
Hello, I got 2 questions, please answer me 🙂
1. I just want to make sure how the days are counted. Lets say I arrived Australia 1st of Jan 2018 and departed 2nd of Jan 2018. Can i count it as 2 days?
2. If I stayed 730 days in the last 5 years, do I have to provide police clearance or other documents?
This website is so helpful, thank you Peng 😀
Hi Bill,
1. I just want to make sure how the days are counted. Lets say I arrived Australia 1st of Jan 2018 and departed 2nd of Jan 2018. Can i count it as 2 days? Yes that is 2 days.
2. If I stayed 730 days in the last 5 years, do I have to provide police clearance or other documents? Generally speaking you just need to upload your passport biodata page if you satisfy the requirements for the 5 year visa.
PC
Hi
My husband, 3 kids and I have been residing in Australia on visa 190 since 23/1/2014, but the visa was granted on 3/7/2013. We are traveling overseas on 13/6/2018 and returning to Australia on 9/7/2018. Do I need to apply for Returning Resident visa for each member of my family? I am not sure if the travel facility is from date of grant or date of entry to Australia. Thanks for responding.
Hi Siti,
Do I need to apply for Returning Resident visa for each member of my family? Yes each individual needs to lodge their own visa application.
I am not sure if the travel facility is from date of grant or date of entry to Australia. You should be given 5 year 155 visas, that are valid for 5 years from the date of grant.
PC
Hi Peng,
I was granted my PR in Mar 2010, Been to AUS for 2 weeks in 2010. My husband is working in AUS still. Returned to my home country and as my PR expired, have applied for RRV on 28th Oct 2017 for me and my minor son. No response still.
Have submitted my spouse employment details, my sibling’s citizenship evidence and my work details as I m employed in USA currently. It is close to 6 months. How can I proceed now? Is Police verification letter needed for this process as I m out from AUS for more than 7 years ? Please suggest
Hi Sam,
I suggest that you send an email to the Department and follow-up: residentsreturn@border.gov.au
You should be granted 1 year visas based on your comment information.
PC
Hi Peng,
Thanks a lot for your quick response. Could you please tell me whether police verification letter from the current country I work ( as I m here for more than 4 years ) is needed for my case ?
Thanks
Sam
Police clearances are generally not required for 155 visa applications, unless the applicant has character issues.
PC
Hi Peng,
A friend of mine who has applied RRV a week later than me has already got the result. However, his wife is a citizen while I do not have an immediate family member who has citizenship or PR, and I don’t have any properties as well. Is it true that the immigration need to take more time to make a decision for my case? Thanks!
Hi Sam,
The Department’s current processing time is around 6-10 weeks. I’d suggest that you upload documents demonstrating your ties with Australia – please see above post.
PC
Hi Peng
Doing a great job. I have applied for RRV on 26th Feb, 2018 but no news yet. I have applied on-shore and waited for one week and now I am offshore. My last RRV has also expired on 15th Mar 2018. I don’t meet 2 years residency requirements and applied based on compelling grounds ( 2 Times). In DOHA website its mentioned that ” Departing Australia without a RRV may impact your permanent residency requirements for citizenship. ” Please explain what are the impacts of this – in my situation.
Worried
Md
Hi MD,
I’m not sure what the Department’s website information means, but you do need to live in Australia for required periods of time before you can apply for citizenship:
https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/trav/citi/pathways-processes/application-options/migrant-with-permanent-residence/eligibility
PC
Hi Peng,
Please help me on answering my queries, I’ve sent 4 emails to them but still no reply.
I’ve submitted my RRV 155 renewal application on 15th March offshore (VISA expired on 21st March), no news until today.
Air ticket has been booked and fly on 9th April to Melbourne and leave Melbourne on 19th April .
Can I apply ETA tourist visa to enter Melbourne as i need to attend my daughter’s 1st preschool parents meeting and interview?
MY RRV 155 application will be cancel when i apply for tourist visa?
would it affects my PR status?
Do i need to lodge new application while I am in Melbourne even though I’m leaving on the 19th?
Much appreciate if you could answer these questions.
THanks,
CH
Hi Choon,
I’m sorry but it would take me a bit of time to answer your queries since these aren’t really simple ‘yes or no’ questions. There are a few legal complications that I would need to explain in my response, and I would also need to spend some time to get relevant background history and information from you.
Please see Contact Us page and in relation to our Consultation Service – feel free to contact us if you need advice in relation to your visa options.
PC
I believe you didnt meet the 2/5, right? My RRV gg to 3 mths already still not approve
Hi Peng,
Noted in the forum that the processing time is 1-3 months. Will it take less time to get the result if I apply it onshore instead of offshore? Thanks a lot!
Angelina
Hi Angelina,
Processing time for onshore and offshore applications should be similar.
PC
Hi
Do I have to apply for a resident return visa if I don’t travel outside Australia 5 years after my permanent visa was granted?
Hi Trish,
If you are in Australia, then you only need to apply for a visa if you need to leave and return to Australia.
PC
Dear Sir/Madame
We have lived in Australia 16 months in five years as permanent Resident please let me know if we now live in Australia for more 8 months is it will be counted for two years
Hi Ompsrkash,
You can count all time in Australia as a permanent residency visa holder in the last 5 years before the lodgement of your application.
You can use this form to request this information from the Department: https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/Forms/Documents/1359.pdf
PC
Hi ,, I would like to ask few questions . My current girlfriend is holding subclass 155 BB visa category and she was divorced. She is intent to marry me. Would she be able to sponsor me as spouse visa or partner visa ?
Regards,
Fernando
Hi Fernando,
She may be able to sponsor you since she hold a permanent residency visa.
Please see Contact Us page and in relation to our Consultation Service – feel free to contact us if you need advice in relation to your visa options.
PC
Hi Peng,
My family (parents, sibling) and I were granted PR visas in 2005. We lived in Australia for less than 2 years within the 5-year international travel period. We returned to our home country in 2009 and our visa’s travel facility has expired while we were here. It has been about 9 years since then. I would like to know
1. Whether our PR visa is considered expired, cancelled or invalid? I understand that PR status and visa status are different. Even with an expired/cancelled/invalid PR visa, will we still be considered permanent residents of Australia?
2. Whether we will be eligible for a 3 month 157 RRV if we can provide compelling reasons for departure from Australia?
I’d also like to note that my mother has traveled to Australia in 2011 and 2012 under a Temporary Business Visa. She is also the main applicant of the PR visa, and the rest of my family are dependent applicants. I would like to know whether my mum’s travel to Australia in 2011 and 2012 will result in
3. Any changes to our residency status and not being eligible for an RRV visa?
Another thing is, I finished my A levels in my home country and received a scholarship to study in a country of my choosing. If I choose to study in an Australia university,
5. Do I have to apply as an international student in this case and obtain a student visa?
6. And if I apply to study in Australia as an international student under a student visa, will I be eligible for an RRV later after the completion of my studies?
7. Will I lose my permanent residency status (if existing) if I study under a student visa as an international student? Would I have to apply for another PR visa if I want to reside in Australia at a later date?
Any information and advice would be much appreciated. Thank you in advance!
Hi Yas,
I’m sorry but it would take me a bit of time to answer your queries since these aren’t really simple ‘yes or no’ questions. There are a few legal complications that I would need to explain in my response, and I would also need to spend some time to get relevant background history and information from you.
Please see Contact Us page and in relation to our Consultation Service – feel free to contact us if you need advice in relation to your visa options.
PC
HI Peng,
Me and my husband applyed for resident return visa. Do I need to fill up the same form for my two kids who are 9 and 7 years old?
Regards
Edina
Hi Edina,
Yes each individual needs to lodge their own separate visa application, even for children under the age of 18.
PC
Dear sir
My wife and me got parent visa on 1.8.2013 I have lived in Australia for 16 months and my wife for two months in Australia in five yesrs which rrv will be grsnted my wife is suffering from kidney problem our visa is up to 1.8.2018 when should we spply for rrv
Regards
Hi Omprakash,
I’m sorry but it would take me a bit of time to answer your queries since these aren’t really simple ‘yes or no’ questions. There are a few legal complications that I would need to explain in my response, and I would also need to spend some time to get relevant background history and information from you.
Please see Contact Us page and in relation to our Consultation Service – feel free to contact us if you need advice in relation to your visa options.
PC
Dear Peng,
My PR is due to expire in June this year.
I have been absent for a complete 3 years and 1 month. I plan to stay for a consecutive 2 years until I can apply for a 5 years RRV by the end of this year.
However I have a new job offer which requires me to make some overseas travel. Is that mean if I apply for RRV in June I will only be granted 1 year? (By a June I am here for 710 days)
Will there be any chance I can be granted 5 years?
Thank you for your help.
Julia
I may have found my answer from the previous post. Please correct me if I am wrong.
If I apply for a 1 year RRV in June,
I can relodge another application as soon as I reach the 2/5 yrs requirement by the end of the year.
Or, if I wait till the expiry of this 1 yr RRV, my RRV application for next year should be granted for 5 yrs as long as i have fulfilled the 2/5yrs.
Am I right?
Hi Julia,
You can apply whenever you meet the requirements for the 5 year 155 visa – you don’t have to wait until your current visa expires.
PC
Hi I got PR for my family (wife and daughter), Do i need to apply for a family as well, or I need to do it for every family member, means pay three times more for 155 visa.
Thanks
Andrey
Hi Andrey,
You only need to apply for family members that need visas to travel or return to Australia.
PC
Hi Peng,
5 weeks before I had submitted an offshore 1 year RRV 155 visa application which is still under process. I am travelling to Australia within couple of weeks. Keeping in view the current processing times, If my application is not finalised before reaching Australia, will I have to lodge a new application onshore or DIBP will continue processing my current offshore application?
Thanks,
Saif
If you were outside of Australia when you lodged your 155 visa application, then this application can’t be decided when you are in Australia.
You may need to lodge a new 155 visa after you return to Australia.
PC
Thank you for your reply Peng.
I really appreciate you for creating such a nice forum benefiting many people.
Good bless you!
Saif
Hi Peng,
I lodged my RRV application on 26 Feb 2018. My travel is all booked for 10 April, returning on 27 April. I am getting nervous as the RRV has not been granted yet. I didn’t expect it to take this long as previously I have applied for RRV twice and both were granted in under 2 weeks. Is there a way of reaching out to them? How can I be sure that I will get the grant before my travel date? I am really worried I won’t be able to return. A quick response is highly appreciated.
Thanks!
Holie
Hi Holie,
I suggest that you email the Department: residentsreturn@border.gov.au
PC
Hi holie. We applied 20 feb no reply yet.emailed them no reply for email as well. Have heard back from them yet.
I have also applied on 26 Feb 2018. Please let me know if you hear anything
Hi, Peng
My RRV is about to expire soon and i
Think i have not satisfy the 2 years put of 5 years. Is it possible to get the 157 rrv? And if I apply in Australia, do i have to wait until my application is approved or can I travel outside Australia while the application is processing?
Thank you.
Hi Mel,
I’m sorry but it would take me a bit of time to answer your queries since these aren’t really simple ‘yes or no’ questions. There are a few legal complications that I would need to explain in my response, and I would also need to spend some time to get relevant background history and information from you.
Please see Contact Us page and in relation to our Consultation Service – feel free to contact us if you need advice in relation to your visa options.
PC
Dear Peng
My wife and 2 children have a 5 year visa (April 14-April 19). We activated the visa in April 15 with every intention that we would move out the Australia from the Uk in 2016. However my wife’s parents both became really ill, one with a slow growing terminal cancer and one with dementia ( now in a residential home). We may not get to Australia before April 2019. Would we be able to apply for a 1 year RRV to get to Australia and subsequently apply again if we settled in Australia and had jobs, at a later date or would we have to go through the whole process again?
Many thanks
Colin
Hi Colin,
I’m sorry but this is a rather complicated matter that you are asking about (please see above post which outlines the visa requirements).
Unfortunately I can’t provide advice just based on your comment information.
Please see Contact Us page and in relation to our Consultation Service – feel free to contact us if you need advice in relation to your visa options.
PC
Hi Peng,
My current 1 year RRV will be expired in 27th March and I am now out of Australia due to my husband’s (an Australian citizen) work. I submitted a new RRV application on 14th March and we have booked flight tickets to fly back to Australia on 1st April. Little did I know when submitted my application that the department’s current processing time for RRV is anywhere from 1-3 months; because last year it only took 7 days from lodging my RRV application to the visa being issued. I am very nervous now. Is there any way I can contact the DIBP from overseas? I think the 131 881 number is only applicable when you’re in Australia?
Thank you,
Gregoria
Hi Gregoria,
I suggest that you email the Department: residentsreturn@border.gov.au
PC
Hi Gregoria,
Did you manage to get any reply from the immigration? I am still waiting for my RRV to approve.. being 2 mths already and my hb is back to australia to work and me still waiting.
Hi …. my problem is rare …me and my family ( husband and daughter ) were granted PR in 2013…. we shifted to Australia in 2016…. I was expecting my 2nd baby at that time ….unfortunately it ended up in a miscarriage and I had to get my D and C done …. right after tht we decided to travel back to be with family at this time of loss ….on reaching I conceived again immediately ….but my doctor strictly put me on bed rest and asked me not to travel ….I had my 2nd baby in June 2017 …. we started her process …. and got her visa grant in december 2017…. we have booked our flight fr April 2018 and 10 days before th flight my daughter has come down with mumps ….and our 5 year visa grant is expiring in 20 days ….cn we apply for a resident return visa ?
Hi Kiran,
You may be able to get a 3 month 157 visa based on your comment information.
Unfortunately I can’t provide advice just based on the information provided.
Please see Contact Us page and in relation to our Consultation Service – feel free to contact us if you need advice in relation to your visa options.
PC
Hi everyone
I have applied on 8th Feb 2018 and received my grant on 21st March 2018.
Thought this information might be helpful to anyone going stress.
God bless everyone
Hi Rrv,
Did you meet the 2/5 yrs requirement?
Hi Irene
I didn’t meet 2 years requirement. I lived for 10 months…
Hope this is helpful
What is the validity of the new visa? Is it 1 year or more than that? Did you apply for 155 or 157?
Hi RRV, congratulations! Did you lodge your application onshore or offshore? I lodged my application offshore about 2 months ago but still not yet have any news.
Hi,
I’m a permanent resident and the visa is due to expire 10th of April, I’ve applied for a RRV via online few days ago.
I’ve only resided in Australia for one and half year out of five years and currently live overseas.
Should I be expecting 157 ? and if I do and go back to Australia, can I apply for another RRV straight away? and then
what period of RRV should I be expecting then?
thank you
Hi Kim,
I’m sorry but this is a rather complicated matter that you are asking about (please see above post which outlines the visa requirements).
Unfortunately I can’t provide advice just based on your comment information.
Please see Contact Us page and in relation to our Consultation Service – feel free to contact us if you need advice in relation to your visa options.
PC
Hi,
My PR got expired and I renewed it 2 days back. however, I have received a citizenship date now. can I get a refund as I no more need the PR.?? and whom do we get in touch with ? please help.
Hi Deepika,
Sorry but I don’t think that the Department will give you a refund.
PC
Hi Peng
Fantastic resource you have. Appreciate it.
You quote the processing times currently is 1 – 3 months, so the 6 days for 75% of applications on the website is outdated? That is really worrying in our situation.
We have a problem in that my parents (sponsored parental visa) left Australia for South Africa on 19 Feb 2018, and they did not realise/know their travel authority expired on 21 Feb 2018, 2 days after they left. There was also no warning at the airport at immigration. They were not allowed boarding back to Australia 3 weeks later, and is in considerable strife.
They have no car or home in South Africa where they were visiting. [They are not digitally savvy at 81 years of age, the first wave of the parental visas to receive fully digital visas (no physical paper) There was no email reminders or other documentation to warn of expirey]
They have substantial ties to Australia, including a fixed rental home, all their furniture is shipped here and in their home, a car and pets and their immediate family (2 or their 3 mature children are in Perth here and the third in the same timezone). Their total time in Australia > 1 year, < 2 years in the last 5 years of which the most recent period is continuous. We lodged the 2x applications for subclass 155 on Friday 16 March, with comprehensive evidence of ties and supporting documentation.
We understand that this situation should make for a "compelling case", but can't find a way to escalate.
The immigration homesite provides no contact details. We escalated to the Australian Embassy in South Africa, who was supportive, but ultimately pushed us back to Australia where the processing happens.
This ordeal – an obvious error – is causing significant strige and hardship to my parents who are effectively stranded in South Africa.
Can we walk into the immigration office here in Perth? Any advice for our channels of escalation?
Hi Desi,
I suggest that you email the Department and ask for priority processing: residentsreturn@border.gov.au
PC
Hi Peng,
I am the main applicant of the SN190 visa. I have been travelling in and out Aus since the grant of the visa but has accumulated only around 300 days physical presence in Aus. My wife and my two sons are the dependent applicants. They are living and studying in Aus and has accumulated 730 days in Aus. Can my wife and sons apply for 5-year RVV 155 separately while I myself apply for 1-year RVV 155?
Hi Wai,
Yes each individual can satisfy the requirements for the 5 year visa. Each individual needs to lodge a separate visa application in any case, even for children under 18.
PC
Hi. Just looking for some information please. My parents first came to Australia 1987. They were here for 3 years and in which got their permanent residency. They had their first child (me) in 1990 and then made the decision to return to Ireland and their permanent residency has since expired. I am an Australian citizen and have been living in Australia now nearly 6 years. My brother is currently living here too for 5 years and has just got his permanent residency. My parents would love to move back to Australia and I am wondering can they apply for the resident return visa or is it too late now that it expired? Any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Kate
Hi Kate,
I’m sorry but this is a rather complicated matter that you are asking about (please see above post which outlines the compelling reasons for absence requirement). Unfortunately I can’t provide advice just based on your comment information.
Please see Contact Us page and in relation to our Consultation Service – feel free to contact us if you need advice in relation to your visa options.
PC
Hi Peng,
I was applied RRV at 05/02/2018 whilst I’m at overseas for work. Actually my first RRV for 1 year expired at 17/02/2018, but I’m still at work overseas on that time. Has been more than 5 weeks since my application submitted & still with received status on my Immi account. My wife & 2 kids still in Australia as permanent resident.
I was submitted the documents to support my application ( mortgage title, home rate, travel document, ID, my kids student ID, letter of employee overseas, my PAYG certificate, etc ).
Could you please advise what’s happen with my RRV application.
Thank you in advance.
Hi Irwan,
I think that the Department will grant you a 1 year 155 visa if you have immediate family that are living in Australia.
PC
Hi Peng,
I applied for RRV while i was short of 2 months (january) out of 5 years. RRV was granted valid for 1 year, can I re-apply once I fulfil the 2 years (March)? I mean, after 2 months, can I re-apply , so it will cancel out the 1 years RRV.
Thank you,
Chan
Hi Chan,
Yes you can apply for a 5 years visa when you meet the requirements – you don’t have to wait for your current visa to expire.
PC
Hi ,I would like to find out my total up to date stay days in Australia since my visa number 0079585559727 was granted ,my passport RV028165 ,thank you
JF Wu
Hi Jean,
You would need to contact the Department for your movement records and days in Australia information.
PC
My family applied for RRV on 20 Feb 2018 and still no reply. Last four years it took few days but taking too long now.how best can I check if they have opened visa application as online it says recd only.
Hi Shailesh,
The current processing time for RRV is between 1 to 3 months.
PC
Hi Shailesh,
Have you received any response from the department? My scenario is same, applied on 20 Feb 2018 and still no response. It’s my 3rd extension, last time my request was processed within 2 days.
As of today no reply yet.emailed them but u get automated respone. A friend got his last week took 6 weeks 6 days so m expecting mine today or Monday.
Hi Shailesh and Saif,
Did anyone of you get any reply from the department? I applied on 12 march 2018 and waiting for the response..Please update if anyone gets the response.
Thanks in advance.
Chitra
My friend’s (BB)155 Resident Return Visa will expire on the 8th of May 2018. He has a 1 year travel facility thanks to his Australian wife. He plans to go to Australia at the beginning of May, just before the expiry date. However, he will stay there just for 2-3 weeks because of his mother’s health issues. I know he has to renew his visa before leaving Australia. However he does not know if he can do it before coming to Australia. He is also unsure if he will be given the visa in those 2-3 weeks before he leaves Australia again, in case he applies after he arrives to Australia. What do you think about his case?
Hi Catalina-Anca,
The Department’s processing time is around 1-3 months for the 1 year visa on the basis of ties to Australia.
Based on the above information, I suggest that he lodges the application when he is in Australia and then get this visa approved after he leaves Australia.
PC
Hi Peng
I have been outside Australia since 2009 and have recently applied for an RRV (back in early Feb) but haven’t heard anything yet. I am due to fly back in 4 weeks for a 3 week holiday in order to attend job interviews – should I apply for an ETourist visa in order to regain entry if my RRV has not been granted in time? Will it affect the RRV?
Many thanks in advance for any help on this.
Hi Loxxy,
Please see above post in relation to the compelling reasons for absence requirement if you have been away from Australia for 5 years or more.
A visitor visa holder needs to have the genuine intention to only be in Australia on a temporary basis. Your currently pending permanent residency application indicates that you may want to live in Australia permanently. If you are granted a visitor visa and travel to Australia on this, then the Department’s airport staff may question your travel intentions.
Please see Contact Us page and in relation to our Consultation Service – feel free to contact us if you need advice in relation to your visa options.
PC
Hi PC
I have been reading your comments and I must say it is very useful, very appreciated that.
I am on the same situation as Loxxy, I have left Australia since 2007 for employment reason and have not return at all. My PR has been already expired long time ago and I have lodged the RRV since first of Jan 2018 and I have not hear anything from the Department at all. I have been contacting them by phone and emails but unable to talk to any human being, only automatic reply.
Anyway, according to your suggestion above, I guess I have not met the requirements for this RRV visa. If this the case, what other visa options should I look into? do I have to reply for PR?
For your information My wife and kids are Australian Citizen living with me overseas.
Your advice is highly appreciated. Thank you very much in advance.
Regards
Sam
Hi Sam,
You may be able to get a 155 year if you have been living with Australian citizen family overseas.
I’m sorry but this is a rather complicated matter that you are asking about (please see above post which outlines the visa requirements).
Unfortunately I can’t provide advice just based on your comment information.
Please see Contact Us page and in relation to our Consultation Service – feel free to contact us if you need advice in relation to your visa options.
PC
Dear Peng
Thank you very much for your reply, very much appreciated, I will definitely contact you later for my visa.
For your information, I have not heard anything from the department for my RRV application that I have lodged since 9 Jan 18, this is 80 days already, despite it is mentioned in the system that Estimated Processing Time 5 days to 48 days. This is indicated that the department is very busy and hardworking.
Thank you all and wish me luck.
Cheers
Sam
No problems and good luck with your application.
PC
Hi Peng
Thank you for your reply, which confirmed my fear. It is obvious now that I will not receive a decision in time on my RRV application, so my question is now what visa should I apply for to gain temporary entry for my 3 week stay in Australia for job interviews?
Thank you in advance
A visitor visa holder needs to have the genuine intention to only be in Australia on a temporary basis. Your currently pending permanent residency application indicates that you may want to live in Australia permanently. If you are granted a visitor visa and travel to Australia on this, then the Department’s airport staff may question your travel intentions.
Please see Contact Us page and in relation to our Consultation Service – feel free to contact us if you need advice in relation to your visa options.
PC
Hi,
I lived in Australia for 16 months on PR visa ( 190 Vic state Sponsorship) and I left Australia due to my Job commitment with my previous employer overseas. Unfortunately I will not finish the commitment before my 5 year PR visa. For 5 year RRV I still have to complete 8 months. It is not possible to physically live in Australia, can you please guide how will I fulfill this gap because still I have 10 months left in 5 year PR visa. Will it be possible to show the job commitment or not. What will be other possibilities ( such as mortgage, renting, schooling of kids or anything else could help me).
Regards,
VicBK
Hi Vicky,
We are sorry but we can’t provide advice just based on the information that you have provided. Please see information in relation to our consultation service if you would like to book a time to discuss your visa options: http://peng-cheng-bwdt.squarespace.com/services/
PC
Hi Peng,
My husband applied for his RRV 155 visa on 25th January 2018 and not received yet.He is planning to come early April 2018.HIs RRV already expired and does he need to apply for any alternative visas or bridging visas at this stage as a backup plan.Pls send if any quick document we could arrange to show immigration on arrival.My husband is Australian PR holder and me and my 2 children got citizenship here.In this case, If he didn’t get any RRV result, can he enter the country? what are the documents he can show on arrival? could you pls send any telephone no to contact regarding this situation
Kind Regards
Hi Pushpika,
I suggest that you contact the Department and see if they can finalise the application before your partner needs to travel:
https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/about/contact
He would need a valid visa to enter Australia, but the Department airport officers may have issues with him entering on a visitor visa if he has a pending permanent residency application.
PC
Hi Pushpika
I am in same situation – did you find out if a bridging visa is appropriate? Many thanks for any guidance.
Hi,
I applied online for resident return visa of subclass 155/157 on 22 January 2018 and for my son on 11 February 2018. We have been living in Australia for 16 month. My son is studying in grade 2 here(Australia). My daughter is a citizen of Australia.
We want to leave Australia on 19th of March and come back on 16th of April. Is there any possibility that they consider my son’s apllication and my application simultaneously? I’m concerned about leaving Australia before granting our visa because my son must go back to school.
Thanks for your support.
Is there any possibility that they consider my son’s apllication and my application simultaneously? That may happen but I don’t think so if the applications were lodged a month apart.
PC
Hi Peng,
I have PR since 2008. My wife and 2 sons are Australian Citizens. I have a job oversea and do not met 2 year/5 year preriot requirment.
Now i am in Australia and applied 1 year RRV 155 visa at 15/2/2018. I need come back to my oversea job this sunday (11/3/2018).
1. May i flight without new 155 visa? What happen which my new RRV 155 visa if i flight?
2. If my new RRV 155 visa will be reject, can i apply other visa by my wife sponsor.
Hi Tolik,
You can travel overseas while your application is being decided – your visa application can be decided after you leave Australia.
You should be granted a 1 year visa without issue if you have provided the Department with evidence of your family relationship with your Australian citizen family members.
PC
Hi Peng,
I just want to ask if there’s a time frame before applying for an RRV? (E.g. 6months before current visa expires, and the like)
My current PR will expire this Dec 2018. When do you think is the best time/ date to renew my residency? I’m living here in Australia with my family.
Hi Aileen,
After you lodge, the department’s current processing time is anywhere from 1-3 months.
PC
Hi Peng,
I have tried to call DIBP via 131 881 however there is no option to check my visa 155 status. Do you know what number to call? also my visa approaching to 2 months this week but status still “This application has been received by the department and will be assessed”.
I still don’t know when DIBP starts looking at my application.
appreciate your adivce
Regards,
Tony
Hi Tony,
Did you get your RV or not?
I couldn’t call them.
I’m in the same situation as you.
Sorry but that is the Department’s only contact number – the options are confusing but there should be options for visa queries.
PC
Hi Tony,
After contacting this number, you should dial number 3. I tried it.
keep calling, I waited for 3 hours on the phone