Subclass 155 and 157
The Subclass 155 and 157 visas are the pathways for permanent residents to renew their travel facility.
Protect Your Right to Return to Australia
An Australian Permanent Residency (PR) visa generally comes with a 5-year travel facility. Once that period expires, you do not lose your PR status while inside Australia, but you cannot re-enter the country without a valid RRV.
The length of the travel facility granted (5 years, 1 year, or 3 months) depends strictly on your length of residence and the strength of your ties to Australia.
Key Factors:
- Status: You must be an Australian permanent resident, a former citizen who lost or renounced citizenship, or a former PR whose last PR visa was not cancelled.
- The "2 in 5" Rule: To receive the full 5-year facility, you must have lived in Australia as a PR for a total of 730 days (2 years) in the last 5 years.
- Substantial Ties: If you do not meet the 2-year rule, you must demonstrate substantial Business, Cultural, Employment, or Personal ties that are of benefit to Australia.
- Absence Rule: If you have been absent for a continuous period of 5 years or more, you must show compelling reasons for the absence.
Subclass 155 - Resident Return (5-Year or 1-Year)
What it is for: PR holders whose 5-year travel facility has expired or is about to expire.
What it allows: Re-entry to Australia for 5 years (if meeting residency rules) or 1 year (if showing ties).
Key Requirements:
- 5-Year Grant: Must have been in Australia for 2 of the last 5 years.
- 1-Year Grant: Must show Substantial Ties (Business, Cultural, Employment, or Personal).
- If outside Australia for >5 years: Must show both teh Substaintial Ties and compelling reasons for absence.
Length of Stay: Permanent (Travel facility is the only temporary aspect).
Work Rights: Unrestricted.
Subclass 157 - Resident Return (3-Month)
What it is for: Residents who do not meet the 155 criteria but need to travel urgently for compelling reasons.
What it allows: A short 3-month travel facility to enter/exit Australia.
Key Requirements:
- Must have spent at least 1 day (but less than 2 years) in Australia in the last 5 years.
- Must show Compelling and Compassionate reasons for travel/absence.
- If outside Australia: Must not have been absent for more than 3 months immediately before applying (unless compelling reasons exist).
Length of Stay: Permanent (Travel facility is limited to 3 months).
Work Rights: Unrestricted.
Maintaining compliance
- Validity Monitoring: Your PR does not expire, but your right to re-enter does. Check your VEVO status regularly.
- Citizenship Pathway: The time spent on an RRV counts toward your residency for Australian Citizenship, provided you meet the physical presence requirements.
The RRV Application Process
Residency Audit
Verify if you meet the "2 in 5" year rule (730 days) using travel records.
Ties Assessment
If you fail the 2-year rule, compile evidence of your Business, Cultural, Employment, or Personal ties to Australia.
Lodgement
Submit the application via ImmiAccount. Most "2 in 5" applications are processed automatically within minutes.
Manual Review
If ties are required, a Departmental officer will manually review your evidence.
Grant
You receive a new travel facility for 5 years, 1 year, or 3 months.
For RRV Applicants
The Subclass 155/157 requires strict adherence to the "Substantial Ties" definition if you have been offshore. At Immilex, we assess your employment contracts, property ownership, and family links to ensure these ties are logically documented and supported by verifiable evidence.
It is also critical to understand the Offshore Risk. If you depart Australia with an expired travel facility and fail to secure an RRV while abroad, you may find yourself "stuck" without a legal pathway to return, potentially jeopardising your permanent residency status. We recommend lodging your RRV application while still in Australia whenever possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but if you have been away for a long time, you must provide extensive evidence of your ties and compelling reasons for your absence.
No. As long as you remain inside Australia, your PR remains valid indefinitely. You only need the RRV to re-enter Australia if you leave.
Employment Ties: A current job offer or ongoing employment with an Australian company. Personal Ties: Having a partner or children who are Australian citizens/residents. Business or Economic Ties: Ownership or active management of an Australian business.
Secure Your Return to Australia
The RRV involves complex residency calculations and evidentiary standards. Contact us at Immilex for a technical assessment of your ties to ensure your right to return to Australia is protected.