About Resident Return visa (subclass 155 and 157):
Even though the permanent residence visa for Australia is indefinite and can live your lifetime anywhere in Australia but its do not come with lifetime travel permit to and from Australia. Permanent residence of Australia usually gets 5 years of unlimited travel permission for the first time. When visa holders travel permit expires and do not become an Australian citizen and holding Australian passport by then, to travel to and from Australia, they will require to get travel permission and this travel permission could be achieved under this resident return visa.
Two subclasses of Resident Return Visa 155 and 157 :
This visa allows you to travel to and from Australia for up to 5 years. This visa could be applied in or outside of Australia. If applied outside Australia, they must be outside Australia.
Common Requirements of subclass 155:
- An Australian Permanent resident
- A former Australian permanent resident whose last permanent visa was not cancelled, or
- A former Australian citizen who lost or renounced citizenship
- Have lived in Australia for 2 years (730 days) in the last 5 years immediately before the application
- Was not the holder of a temporary or bridging visa (other than a subclass 601, 773, 956 & 977, 976 held concurrently with the permanent visa or the permanent entry permit)
- Has a substantial business, cultural, employment or personal ties with Australia which are of benefit to Australia
- Meet the character requirements of the Australian government.
Including family on subclass 155:
Each member of the family unit must apply separately but visa duration depends on the principal applicant’s visa validity.
Note: if an applicant has not lived in Australia for 2 years in the last 5 years, then they might be given a maximum of 12 months travel validity if substantial ties to Australia satisfied.
This visa allows you to travel from or to Australia for up to 3 months. This visa is for those who do not satisfy the criteria but have compelling and compassionate reasons for travel from or to Australia. This visa could be applied in or outside of Australia.
Common Requirements of subclass 157:
- An Australian Permanent resident
- A former Australian permanent resident whose last permanent visa was not cancelled, or
- A former Australian citizen who lost or renounced citizenship
- Have lived in Australia for 2 years (730 days) in the last 5 years immediately before the application
- Was not the holder of a temporary or bridging visa (other than a subclass 601, 773, 956 & 977, 976 held concurrently with the permanent visa or the permanent entry permit)
- Has compelling and compassionate reasons for departing Australia or the last departure from Australia.
- If applied outside Australia, the Applicant has not been absent from Australia for more than 3 months immediately before the application.
- Meet the character requirements of the Australian government.
Including family on subclass 157:
Each member of the family unit must apply separately but visa duration depends on the principal applicant’s visa validity.
Note: Must have compelling and compassionate reasons for the departure of Australia.