Resident Return Visa (RRV)

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The Resident Return Visa (RRV) is crucial for permanent residents of Australia who wish to travel abroad and retain their status as Australian permanent residents. It allows eligible individuals to re-enter Australia as permanent residents, depending on their circumstances, after their initial visa has expired or before it expires. Two subclasses of the Resident Return Visa are Subclass 155 and Subclass 157.

Eligibility Criteria for Subclass 155

To qualify for the Subclass 155 Resident Return Visa, applicants must meet one of the following criteria:

• Residency Requirement: Applicants must have spent at least two years (730 days) in the last five years in Australia as permanent residents or citizens.
• Substantial Ties: If applicants do not meet the residency requirement, they can demonstrate substantial ties to Australia that benefit Australia.
• Compelling Reasons: Applicants who do not meet the above criteria may still be eligible if they can prove compelling reasons for their absence from Australia.

Eligibility Criteria for Subclass 157

The Subclass 157 Resident Return Visa is designed for former Australian permanent residents whose last visa was permanent and who want to return to Australia as permanent residents. To be eligible for the Subclass 157 visa, applicants must:

• Have Held a Permanent Visa: Applicants must have previously held an Australian permanent visa.
• Meet the Residency Requirement: Similar to Subclass 155, applicants must have spent a certain period in Australia as permanent residents or prove substantial ties or compelling reasons.

Application Process

When applying for either subclass of the Resident Return Visa, applicants must:

• Complete the appropriate application form and submit it with supporting documents.
• Provide evidence of their residency in Australia or substantial ties/compelling reasons.
• Pay the applicable visa application fee.

Benefits of the Resident Return Visa

The Resident Return Visa allows holders to:

• Retain their status as Australian permanent residents.
• Travel to and from Australia freely within the validity period of the visa.
• Maintain access to Australian healthcare and social services.

Conclusion

Understanding the nuances of the Resident Return Visa (Subclass 155 and 157) is essential for Australian permanent residents who wish to maintain their residency status while travelling abroad.