Resident return visas
If a visa holder wants to travel, or remain outside of Australia for a period of time after dd/mm/yy, and has not become an Australian citizen, they must hold a current Resident Return Visa
(RRV) to be able to return to Australia as a permanent resident. It is the visa holder’s
responsibility to obtain an RRV if required, for example after the permission to travel and re-enter
Australia attached to their current visa, ceases.
An RRV allows a permanent resident of Australia to travel from, and return to Australia as often
as they wish within the validity of the visa whilst maintaining their status as a permanent resident.
Eligibility for an RRV is generally based on the amount of time spent in Australia as a permanent
resident, although there are some concessions for people who cannot meet the residential
requirements.
If a person leaves Australia without an RRV, or it expires while they are overseas and they are
not eligible for another RRV, they may lose the right to return to Australia as a permanent
resident. An eligible person can apply for an RRV by mail or in person at any office of the
department. In Australia, it is also possible to apply online through the DIAC website at http://www.immi.gov.au.
