Presented byPeng ChengRegistered Migration AgentMARN: 1172863

RESIDENT RETURN– 155 VISA

Resident Return Visa – 5 year validity period

• There is only one requirement to satisfy

• There are no exemptions to this requirement

• Currently requirement is more strict than previous legislation

‘2 out of 5 years’ requirement

In the last 5 years that precedes the lodgement of your Resident Return visa application, you have been in Australia as a permanent resident or Australian citizen for at least 2 years out of those 5 years.

You can only count the time that you have spent in Australia as a permanent resident or Australian citizen (i.e. you cannot count any time that you held a temporary visa or a bridging visa).

Calculating 2 years of residence in Australia

• 2 years is defined as 730 days

• You do not have to complete two consecutive years of residence in Australia. You can accumulate the required 2 years

• Can count both your date of arrival and departure from Australia, assuming that these dates are different days

• Excel spreadsheet to calculate your days in Australia – link below

Preparing and lodging your application

• You can prepare and lodge your application irrespective of whether you are in or outside of Australia

• Application fee is AUD $345 for an online application

• Create an ImmiAccount: http://www.immi.gov.au/Services/Pages/immiaccount.aspx

• Supporting documents are electronically uploaded after lodgement (you should only need to submit a clear scanned copy of your passport, and evidence of your most recent grant of Australian permanent residency)

• Completing Form 1085 and lodging a paper application at a Department office (either in Australia or outside of Australia) is still an option. Application fee is AUD $425 for a form and paper application

• Each individual will need to apply for their own Resident Return visa, including children under 18. It is not possible to include any dependents in the application (even if you included those dependents in your initial permanent residency application)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long will the Department take to make a decision?

A: Your application will automatically be assessed against the Department’s records. If you satisfy the ‘2 out of 5 years’ requirement, then the system should automatically grant you a visa and you should receive the notification on the day that you lodge the application (this applies to internet lodged applications only)

Q: Do I need a visa label?

A: No – your visa is electronically linked to your passport. You can obtain a visa label from any Department office, but you will need to pay a fee for this

Presented byPeng ChengRegistered Migration AgentMARN: 1172863