Subclass 155 visa document checklist (Resident Return)

The Resident Return visa (subclass 155) lets a permanent resident, a former permanent resident whose last permanent visa was not cancelled, or a former Australian citizen travel to and from Australia as a permanent resident once the travel facility on their permanent visa has ended. This checklist is a starting point as at November 2026; confirm each item on the Home Affairs subclass 155 and 157 page before lodging.

Ways to qualify

• Residence requirement: in Australia for at least 2 years (730 days in total) in the 5 years before lodging, as a permanent visa holder or citizen. Gives a 5-year travel facility.
• Substantial ties, outside Australia: substantial business, cultural, employment or personal ties that benefit Australia, and no absence of 5 continuous years or more before applying, unless there are compelling reasons. A former resident or citizen within the last 10 years may instead show absences totalling no more than 5 years. Gives up to 12 months.
• Substantial ties, in Australia: substantial ties that benefit Australia, and no absence of 5 continuous years since the most recent permanent visa or since citizenship ended, unless there are compelling reasons. Gives up to 12 months.
• Family member: a member of the family unit of someone who holds or has applied for and qualifies for a Resident Return visa. Gives up to 12 months.
• Subclass 157: an applicant who meets none of these but has compelling and compassionate reasons for their absence may be granted the 3-month Resident Return visa (subclass 157). Every application is assessed for both subclasses.

Key numbers (as at November 2026)

• Processing: generally within 5 working days when the residence requirement is met; often 12 weeks or more when it is not.
• Lodgement: online in ImmiAccount. Each person applies separately; family members cannot be included, but their applications can be processed together.
• No documents needed: Home Affairs may grant automatically if the applicant is a permanent resident, meets the residence requirement, has the same name and date of birth as at their last visa grant, and meets the character requirement.

Documents from the applicant

• Identity: passport pages showing the photo, personal details and issue and expiry dates; national identity card, if any; evidence of any change of name
• Permanent residence history: especially for migrants before 1990, old passports with permanent residence stamps or visa labels, any Certificate of Evidence of Resident Status, permanent visa or entry permit papers, and records from the National Archives of Australia
• Arrival before 1 June 1959, or New Zealand citizens who arrived before 1 September 1994: evidence of first arrival and later movements, identity documents and proof of living in Australia. See proof of permanent residency.
• Substantial ties (if the residence requirement is not met): a statement showing the ties are substantial and benefit Australia, with documents such as:
  • Business: company reports showing the applicant's role, business transactions, partnership or joint venture agreements, signed contracts
  • Cultural: publications, contracts, memberships of cultural associations, articles, programs of performances
  • Employment: employment contracts, a letter of offer, recent payslips or group certificates, an employee pass
  • Personal: utility bills, bank statements, travel records and school records; certificates and relationship evidence for an Australian citizen partner or children; school reports; plane tickets, property purchase documents, school enrolments and moving receipts for a family returning to Australia
• Compelling reasons for absence: a statement linking the reasons to the whole absence, with evidence, for example of illness or death of family overseas, work or study commitments, medical treatment, legal proceedings, or a natural disaster, political unrest or pandemic
• Family member route: marriage certificate, or evidence of a registered or 12-month de facto relationship, and evidence the relationship is genuine and continuing; birth certificates or family book and any adoption papers for children under 18
• Character: police certificates, when Home Affairs asks for them

Collect it with Immiluma

Resident Return applications turn on travel dates and evidence of ties. Build this checklist once as a visa template in Immiluma, or ask the assistant to draft it from this page. Each matter sends it to the client's portal, the client uploads against each item, and you review each document beside it. See all visa checklists.