Resident Return Visa (RRV)
What is a Resident Return Visa?
Who is eligible for a Resident Return Visa?
How long is a RRV valid?
How do you apply for a Resident Return Visa?
How long does it take to be issued a Resident Return Visa?
Is a Resident Return Visa necessary, and what are the costs?
If you are a permanent resident of Australia and plan to travel abroad and return, a Resident Return Visa (RRV) is likely required. In this article, we will discuss what you need to know about this visa, e.g. what it is, who is eligible for it, how long it is valid, how to renew it, and how long it takes to be issued. It’s important to note that rules can change at any time, so it’s always best to check the relevant pages of the Australian Federal Government.
What is a Resident Return Visa (RRV)?
A Resident Return Visa is a type of travel document that enables a permanent resident of Australia to re-enter the country after travel outside Australia. This visa is required for travel outside Australia after your first 5 years of permanent residence and if you wish to return to live and work as a permanent resident.
If you are a permanent resident but do not intend to travel outside Australia, you do not need a RRV. So, if you find Australia so beautiful that you never want to travel abroad again, and you have no other reasons to leave Australia, you don’t need to read any further here.
But if you are already outside Australia and your visa expires, you cannot return to Australia as a permanent resident and will first need a RRV.
A RRV can only be applied for and renewed individually. Family members cannot be added to someone else’s application. They require their own application. This also applies to children and infants.
You can apply for a RRV when you are outside Australia or when you are in the country.
The visa is digitally linked to your passport as an e-visa and you will not receive a physical sticker for it.
Who is eligible for a Resident Return Visa?
To be eligible for a RRV, you must be a permanent resident of Australia (or a former Australian permanent resident whose last permanent visa was not cancelled) and have spent at least two of the last five years in the country. If you have spent less than two years in Australia, you will need to demonstrate that you have a close and continuing relationship with Australia to be eligible for the visa. Close and continuing relationship / substantial ties is defined by the Department of Home Affairs.
How long is a Resident Return Visa valid?
The validity of a RRV depends on the type of visa you apply for, depending on your circumstances. In most cases, it is issued for five years, if you meet the so-called ‘residence requirement’ (present in Australia for a total of at least 2 years in the last 5 years). If you don’t meet the ‘residence requirement’ but have demonstrated you have substantial ties with Australia that benefit Australia, then you can only be given a maximum of 12 months.
How do you apply for a Resident Return Visa?
After your first visa expires, you will need to apply for a new RRV each time.
If you are already a permanent resident of Australia, have lived in Australia for at least two of the last five years and your name and date of birth have not changed since your last visa, you may be automatically granted a RRV.
To renew a RRV, you will need to submit a new application and meet the same requirements as your initial application. You might also need to prove that you maintained a close and continuing relationship with Australia during your absence.
Here’s how to apply:
- Check your current visa status prior to applying to determine if an application for a RRV is necessary. If you are a Permanent Resident, the Department of Home Affairs usually sends you a reminder by e-mail if your travel facility is going to expire.
- Make sure you have a valid passport. Also obtain any documents proving a substantial connection to Australia at this time, if required.
- Apply online using your existing ImmiAccount or sign up for it by creating a new account. Fill out the application, and attach possible required documents.
You can also make a paper application by using Form 1085 and sending it to the address provided (although by the time of writing this article, the official link to the form was broken).
You can create a separate application for each family member and attach the relevant documents to each application. - Pay the application fee. Your application will not be processed until the visa fee is paid.
You will be notified by the Ministry of Home Affairs whether your RRV is granted or refused. If your application is rejected, you will not receive a refund for your application.
You can apply for as many return visas as you need. There is no cap on the number of visas you can be granted, as long as you meet the requirements during the period.
How long does it take to be issued a Resident Return Visa?
The processing time for a RRV vary depending on the type of visa subclass you are applying for. If you meet the residency requirements and your application is properly completed, you could have an answer within 24 hours from submission. But it can also take up to 4 months to process.
Is a Resident Return Visa necessary, and what are the costs?
The usefulness of a RRV depends on your individual circumstances. If you are a permanent resident of Australia and plan to travel outside the country after the first 5 years of your permanent residency, this visa is necessary to retain your permanent resident status. However, if you don’t plan to travel for an extended period, the visa may not be necessary.
As of February 2023, a RRV costs A$425 each time for each applicant if you apply online. It is A$505 each time for each applicant if you apply using a paper application. These costs are subject to change at any time, so it’s always best to check the relevant pages of the Australian Federal Government.
Generally, you will not be given a refund.
Useful Links
Australian Government, Department of Home Affairs, Resident Return visa