Resident Return Visa
Travel with confidence. Return with ease.
Your travel facility as an Australian permanent resident.
Travel rights for permanent residents
Travel safely. Return relaxed. Your right to re-enter as a Permanent Residents.
On this page:
- What is a Resident Return Visa?
- Who needs an RRV – and when?
- Which requirements apply?
What is a Resident Return Visa?
If you live in Australia as a permanent resident and plan to spend some time overseas, there is one important point to keep in mind: Your right to live in Australia is permanent – but your right to travel is not.
To make sure you can return to Australia without issues after time overseas, you’ll need a Resident Return Visa (RRV).
Resident Return Visa – an overview
The Resident Return Visa is the travel facility for Australian permanent residents. It allows you to keep travelling in and out of Australia after the original five-year travel facility on your first permanent visa has expired – without losing your permanent residency.
While your status as a permanent resident remains in place, your travel facility is time-limited. Once this period has ended, you need a valid RRV to be able to re-enter Australia smoothly after travelling overseas.
- Who needs a Resident Return Visa?
You can only apply for a Resident Return Visa if you already hold – or have previously held – Australian permanent residency. It is required if you want to enter Australia and your original travel facility has expired, or you have spent a longer period outside Australia. If you are not yet an Australian citizen but want to keep your status as a permanent resident, you will need an RRV.
Without a valid Resident Return Visa, you can be refused re-entry to Australia.
- What happens when travel rights expire?
When the five-year travel facility attached to your initial permanent visa expires, your right to live in Australia remains – you may continue to stay in the country. However, you lose the right to return once you leave Australia.
If you depart without a valid travel facility, you will need a new visa to come back – and in the worst case you may no longer be allowed to re-enter. To avoid unpleasant surprises at the border or at check-in, your RRV should be renewed in good time before any overseas trip.
- Requirements for the Resident Return Visa
To apply for a Resident Return Visa (RRV), you must be an Australian permanent resident, a former permanent resident or a former Australian citizen. In addition, you must either meet the so-called residency requirement or be able to show close personal, professional or family ties to Australia. The application can be lodged either in Australia or from overseas.
The key criteria explained
- Residency
Requirement - Close ties
to Australia - Family members
and RRVs
Requirement
Residency requirement
Overview
To be granted a five-year Resident Return Visa, applicants must show that they have spent at least two years in the last five years living in Australia – either continuously or in several separate periods.
Only time spent in Australia while holding permanent residency counts. Periods on temporary visas or bridging visas are not included.
Key requirements:
- Residency requirement met
- Valid passport
- No relevant criminal record
What this visa allows:
- Retain your permanent resident status
- Obtain a further five-year travel facility
to Australia
Alternative criteria – if you have spent less time in Australia
Overview
Even if you do not meet the residency requirement, it is still possible in many cases to be granted an RRV.
The Department of Home Affairs assesses this on a case-by-case basis. Factors considered include the length of your absence, your ties to Australia and your future plans.
Examples of what may demonstrate close ties:
- Personal ties: family in Australia, long-term stays or property ownership
- Professional or business connections: employment, business ownership or planned work activities
- Cultural or community links: active involvement in clubs, community groups or cultural organisations
- Compelling reasons for longer absences: family responsibilities, health issues or humanitarian circumstances
What this visa allows:
- Maintain or regain your permanent residency
- Obtain a travel facility for up to 12 months
and RRVs
Resident Return Visas for family members
Overview
Unlike many other Australian visas, each family member must lodge their own application for a Resident Return Visa. A combined family application is not possible.
Every family member who holds their own permanent residency can apply for an RRV:
- If you have spent at least two years in Australia, you may be granted a five-year RRV.
- With a shorter period of residence, a 12-month visa may be issued.
Secure your RRV consultation
Let’s work together to determine when and how you can successfully apply for your Resident Return Visa.
Whether it’s a straightforward renewal or a complex return after a longer absence – we help you find the best strategy for your application.
How Visapath
supports you
The Resident Return Visa is often straightforward – but not always. We support you both with simple renewals of your RRV and with complex cases where the application needs detailed legal reasoning.
With our experience in Australian migration law, we ensure your application is clear, consistent and complete – so you can make your travel plans without unnecessary risk. We help you minimise potential requests for further information from the Department of Home Affairs and give your application the best possible chance of success – whether you’re extending your travel facility or restoring your permanent residency after a longer time overseas.
Resident Return - FAQS
FAQS
01 How long is a Resident Return Visa valid for?
An RRV is also a permanent visa, which means you can continue to live in Australia indefinitely.
In addition, it includes a travel facility, which is valid from the date the visa is granted. As a rule, this period is five years if you meet the residency requirement – or 12 months if you have spent less time in Australia but can show close ties.
02 Can I apply for an RRV more than once?
Yes. A Resident Return Visa can be renewed as often as needed, as long as you continue to meet the requirements.
03 Do I have to be in Australia to apply for an RRV?
No. You can apply for an RRV either in Australia or from overseas.
04 What happens if I don’t have an RRV and want to return to Australia?
Once your travel facility has expired, you no longer hold a visa that allows you to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident.
If you leave the country without a valid RRV, you risk being unable to re-enter.
Renew your visa in good time before travelling to avoid problems at check-in or at the border.
05 Does Visapath also support applicants outside Australia?
Yes – we assist clients worldwide with their Resident Return Visa applications.
Whether it’s a straightforward renewal or a more complex case based on “substantial ties”, we help you prepare an application that is effective and legally sound.
06 What if I lived in Australia in the past and want to return after many years?
The longer you have been away, the more demanding the application is likely to be. The Department will look closely at whether there were compelling reasons for your absence and whether you still have ties to Australia.
In these cases, professional support can be crucial to giving your application the best possible chance of success.