Visto Resident Return

What this visa is for#

The Australian Resident Return visa (subclass 155) is for keeping or regaining the right to return to Australia as a permanent resident.

This visa sits in the citizenship category and the Residence stream. In practice, it is used by people who already hold, or have previously held, Australian permanent residence and need a visa that allows travel back to Australia after their travel facility has expired.

Australian permanent residence and the travel facility attached to it are not the same thing. A person can remain a permanent resident, but still need a Resident Return visa to re-enter Australia after travelling overseas.

A subclass 155 visa is about travel rights linked to permanent residence. It is not a new permanent visa in the usual sense, and it is not a citizenship application.

Who it is generally for#

This visa is for people who are, or have been, Australian permanent residents and need to travel to Australia or return to Australia as permanent residents.

This visa is for people who have an expired or expiring travel facility on their permanent visa. It is also for some former permanent residents whose last permanent visa ceased in certain circumstances and who need to regain return rights.

This visa is for people who are outside Australia and want to return as permanent residents, and it can also apply in some cases to people in Australia who need to preserve travel rights for future travel.

This visa is for people whose circumstances involve residence in Australia, time spent overseas, and evidence of continuing ties. The exact documents and assessment points depend on the person’s migration history and travel history, but the visa exists to cover returning permanent residents rather than first-time applicants for permanent migration.

What it costs#

The government visa application charge for the main applicant is $1,475.

That government charge is paid to the Department of Home Affairs. It is the same no matter who lodges the application, whether the application is lodged by the applicant personally, by a registered migration agent, or by an Australian legal practitioner.

Professional fees are separate from the government charge. A registered migration agent or lawyer may charge for checking travel history, reviewing identity documents, preparing the application, organising evidence, corresponding with the Department and responding to requests for more information.

Government charges are indexed and usually change on 1 July. Professional fees vary by provider, so applicants often compare itemised quotes before deciding who to engage.

How long it takes#

Processing times for a subclass 155 application can vary. Timeframes depend on how complete the application is, how easy it is for the Department to confirm migration history, and whether further information is requested.

Some applications move faster where identity, travel history and residence records are clear and consistent. Others take longer where old visas, long periods outside Australia, name changes, expired passports or missing records need to be checked.

Delays are also common when documents are uploaded in stages rather than all at once. If the Department asks for more information, the clock often stretches further because the application cannot be finalised until the requested material is received and reviewed.

Published processing times can change over time. The Department updates its own information periodically, so the most current timeframe is usually found there rather than on third-party websites.

What the process involves#

The process usually starts with checking the person’s current migration status and travel facility dates. A Resident Return visa application is generally about proving identity, permanent residence history, travel history and any residence or ties relevant to the application.

Applications are commonly lodged online through the Department’s ImmiAccount system. The form and document checklist in ImmiAccount guide the upload process, but the checklist can be broader or narrower depending on the answers entered.

Identity documents are a key part of the application. These often include a current passport, previous passports if they show relevant travel or identity history, and documents explaining any name changes.

Travel history matters because the Department looks closely at periods in and out of Australia. Entry and exit dates, old visas, and evidence showing where a person lived at different times can all become important if the record is not straightforward.

The Department may ask for more information after lodgement. This can happen where scans are unclear, dates do not match, passports have expired, or the online record does not fully explain time spent overseas.

A decision is made after the Department has enough information to assess the application. If the visa is granted, the grant notice usually sets out the visa details and any travel facility period attached to it.

What commonly goes wrong#

Incomplete evidence is one of the biggest practical problems. People often lodge with only a current passport and assume the Department can fill in the gaps, but old passports, previous visa records, proof of residence and documents showing name changes can be important where the history is not simple.

Documents expiring during processing can also create avoidable delay. A passport that is close to expiry, identity documents that do not match, or missing pages from travel documents can trigger further requests from the Department and slow the file down.

Travel dates that do not line up are another common issue. If the application says one thing, the passport stamps show another, and the Department’s movement records show something else, the case can stall while the discrepancy is clarified.

People also forget to tell the Department about a change of address, email address or passport. When the Department cannot contact the applicant, or when a request for more information goes to an old email address, deadlines can be missed.

Another regular mistake is assuming that holding permanent residence means travel is automatic forever. In practice, the travel facility can expire, and that creates problems at boarding or entry if it is only discovered just before travel.

Some applicants leave lodgement too late. If international travel is already booked and the application is lodged close to departure, any delay in processing can disrupt those plans.

Confusion between visa status and travel rights causes trouble as well. A person may still be a permanent resident but not hold a current travel facility, and those are not the same thing.

People also sometimes assume a bridging visa carries the same rights as the substantive visa it sits behind. That assumption can be wrong, especially for travel. Bridging visas have their own conditions and purpose, and they do not automatically preserve the travel rights of a permanent visa or Resident Return visa.

Poor-quality uploads are another very common failure point. Cropped scans, unreadable stamps, upside-down documents and files uploaded under the wrong document type can all lead to requests for clearer evidence.

Finally, some applications are lodged without checking whether all relevant documents are still available. Old passports may have been lost, previous visa grant notices may be missing, and key records may need time to locate. Starting that document gathering early often avoids a rushed application with gaps.

Frequently asked questions#

What is the Resident Return visa subclass 155?#

The Resident Return visa (subclass 155) is a visa used to keep or regain the right to return to Australia as a permanent resident. It is part of the citizenship category, in the Residence stream.

It is commonly used where a person’s permanent residence continues but the travel facility attached to their visa has expired or is about to expire. It is about return travel rights, not a first-time grant of permanent migration.

How much does the subclass 155 visa cost?#

The government charge for the main applicant is $1,475. That amount is payable to the Department of Home Affairs.

A migration agent or lawyer may also charge professional fees for preparing or lodging the application. Those fees are separate, and the government charge is the same no matter who lodges it.

Can I apply for a Resident Return visa from outside Australia?#

This visa is commonly associated with people who are outside Australia and need a visa to return as permanent residents. It can also be relevant in some circumstances for people in Australia who need to maintain travel rights for future travel.

The place of lodgement and grant conditions depend on the application settings and current Department requirements. The official instructions in ImmiAccount and on the Department’s website are the key process sources.

How long does a Resident Return visa take to process?#

There is no single processing time that fits every application. Timeframes vary depending on the completeness of the documents, the person’s travel and residence history, and whether the Department asks for more information.

Applications with clear identity documents and consistent travel records often move more smoothly. Applications involving missing passports, long absences, or inconsistent dates can take longer.

Does permanent residency expire if the travel facility expires?#

Permanent residence and the travel facility are different things. A person can still be a permanent resident even after the travel facility on the visa has expired.

The practical problem usually appears when travelling, because a current travel facility may be needed to return to Australia as a permanent resident. That is why the Resident Return visa exists.

About this page. This is general information about how the Resident Return visa (subclass 155) works. It is not immigration assistance and it is not advice about your situation. Under section 280 of the Migration Act 1958 only a registered migration agent or an Australian legal practitioner can give you that. Charges are indexed and most change on 1 July, so check any figure against immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before you rely on it, and check any agent's registration on the registo OMARA (autoridade de registo dos agentes de migração).