Renew Your Travel Rights with the Subclass 155 Resident Return Visa

You may be granted a Subclass 155 Resident Return Visa if you meet one of the following criteria:

• Residence Requirement (5-year travel facility): You were lawfully in Australia for at least 730 days (2 years) in the 5 years before applying, while holding permanent residency or Australian citizenship
  
• Substantial Ties (12-month travel facility): You have substantial business, cultural, employment, or personal ties to Australia that are of benefit to the country
  
• Family Member: You are a family member of someone who holds, or has applied for, a Resident Return Visa and satisfies the criteria for grant (up to 12-month travel facility)

You must also meet character requirements and hold a valid passport.

The Subclass 155 Resident Return Visa involves government charges:

Government Lodgement Fees: The visa application charge is AUD $1,475. These fees are due at the time of lodgement.

Professional Fees: Our firm generally requires payment of professional fees upon signing the service agreement. This ensures we can dedicate the necessary resources to your case.

Payment Methods: We accept credit cards for both government and professional fees.

The Subclass 155 Resident Return Visa processing varies:

Preparation Time: Gathering evidence, completing forms, and preparing your application typically takes 1 to 3 weeks for straightforward cases. However, our firm can expedite the process for urgent cases.

Department of Home Affairs Processing Time: As of August 2026, the Department reports that 50% of Subclass 155 applications are finalised in less than 1 day and 90% within 6 days. Applications where the 730-day residence requirement is clearly met are often auto-granted online almost immediately, while substantial ties cases are manually assessed and can take considerably longer.

Check the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs website for current processing times.

The Subclass 155 Resident Return Visa involves the following costs:

Government Lodgement Fees: AUD $1,475 per application.

Professional Fees: Our professional fees depend on the complexity of your matter and the work involved. We set out a fixed written fee proposal after the initial discussion, so you know the cost before you commit.

The Subclass 155 Resident Return Visa grants different travel facility periods:

5-Year Travel Facility:

• Granted if you've spent at least 730 days (2 years) in Australia during the 5 years before application
• Allows unlimited travel in and out of Australia for 5 years from the date of grant
• Most common pathway for permanent residents who maintain strong residence in Australia

12-Month Travel Facility:

• Granted if you haven't met the 2-year residence requirement but have substantial ties of benefit to Australia
• Allows unlimited travel in and out of Australia for 12 months from the date of grant
• Requires evidence of ongoing business, employment, cultural, or personal connections that benefit Australia

Both options maintain your permanent residency status—the difference is only in how long you can travel and return.

Yes. You can be granted a Subclass 155 Resident Return Visa as a member of the family unit of a person who holds, or has applied for, a Resident Return Visa and who satisfies the criteria for grant.

What this means in practice: you are assessed against the family member criterion rather than the 730-day residence test, and the visa is normally granted with a 12-month travel facility.

You still need to: hold Australian permanent residence (or be a former Australian citizen or former permanent resident who has not been refused citizenship), lodge your own application and pay the application charge, meet the character requirements, and hold a valid passport. There is no combined family application for this visa – each family member lodges separately.

If applying based on substantial ties, you must demonstrate connections that benefit Australia, such as:

• Business ties: Evidence of Australian business ownership, directorships, significant investments, or business operations that contribute to the Australian economy
  
• Employment ties: Letters from Australian employers, professional registrations, industry associations, or evidence of specialised skills benefiting Australia
  
• Cultural ties: Involvement in Australian community organisations, cultural institutions, or activities promoting Australian culture
  
• Personal ties: Close family members (spouse, children, parents) who are Australian citizens or permanent residents, property ownership, or other significant personal investments

Documentation should clearly show these ties are genuine, ongoing, and provide benefit to Australia. Our lawyers can help compile compelling evidence.

Yes, you can apply for a Subclass 155 Resident Return Visa from overseas, even if your travel facility has expired. However, without a valid travel facility, you cannot return to Australia as a permanent resident until your new visa is granted.

It's strongly recommended to apply before your 5-year travel facility expires to avoid being stranded overseas. If you're planning to remain in Australia and don't intend to travel, you don't need to renew your travel facility, your permanent residency remains valid indefinitely while you're in the country.

While straightforward applications meeting the 2-year residence requirement may be simple, professional legal assistance is valuable when:

• You need to demonstrate substantial ties to Australia for a 12-month facility
• You've been absent from Australia for 5 or more continuous years
• You have a complex residence history or spent time on temporary visas
• You want to maximise your chances of receiving a 5-year rather than 12-month facility
• You have character concerns or previous visa issues

An immigration lawyer ensures your application is properly documented and presents the strongest case for the longest possible travel facility.