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Resident return visa Australia

Resident Return Visas

Australian permanent residents whose travel entitlement has expired need a Resident Return Visa to re-enter Australia after travelling abroad.

Resident Return Visa Options

Australian permanent residence is permanent, but the travel component (which allows re-entry after travel abroad) typically lasts 5 years. Once it expires, you need a Resident Return Visa before you can return to Australia from overseas. There are two types depending on your circumstances.

Resident Return Visa
155

Resident Return Visa

For permanent residents with a substantial connection to Australia: lived, worked, or studied in Australia for at least 2 years in the past 5 years. Grants a 5-year travel entitlement.

Permanent5-year travel entitlementAUD 435
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Resident Return Visa (Short Stay)
157

Resident Return Visa (Short Stay)

Emergency return visa for permanent residents who cannot meet the 155 substantial connection requirement. Allows a single return to Australia for up to 3 months.

TemporaryOne entryAUD 435
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Frequently Asked Questions

For most skilled workers, the Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa or the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Direct Entry stream offer the most direct routes to permanent residency. For workers already in Australia on a 482 visa, the 186 TRT stream is available after 3 years.
Not necessarily. Points-tested visas (189, 190, 491) do not require a job offer. They are based on your skills and points score. Employer-sponsored visas (482, 186, 494) do require a sponsoring employer.
SkillSelect is the online platform where skilled workers submit an Expression of Interest (EOI). The Department invites the highest-scoring candidates in regular invitation rounds. F4MG manages your SkillSelect profile and monitors invitation rounds.
Eligible occupations are listed on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), and Regional Occupation List (ROL). F4MG identifies the correct list and ANZSCO code for your occupation.

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Join the F4MG partner network and scale your business while we become your trusted backend. Let our Australian migration legal practitioners handle documentation and lodgement with compliance.

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