155 Visa

If you’re an Australian permanent resident who’s been living or travelling overseas, you might suddenly hit a wall when trying to return. Your permanent residency hasn’t disappeared, but your travel rights may have. That’s where the 155 visa comes in. 

The resident return visa subclass 155 allows certain people to return to Australia as permanent residents after travelling overseas. It doesn’t grant permanent residence for the first time. Instead, it restores or extends your ability to travel to and from Australia as a permanent resident. It’s designed to help eligible people re-enter Australia lawfully and pick up where they left off.

What is the Subclass 155 Visa: Permanent or Not

So, is subclass 155 a permanent visa? This is where many people get confused. Permanent residence and travel rights are related, but they’re not the same thing.

The 155 visa is relevant to people who already hold permanent residence but no longer have a valid travel facility. If you’re unsure how permanent residence works more broadly, read more about Permanent Resident Visas in Australia.

This distinction matters because many people assume their permanent resident status ends when their travel facility expires. In reality, your permanent resident status does not automatically end. What expires is your ability to leave and re-enter Australia freely. The Subclass 155 visa restores that travel ability so you can return lawfully.

For some permanent residents, this visa is also part of a longer journey to Australian citizenship. If citizenship is your end goal, it’s worth understanding the pathway early. 

Who Can Apply for a Resident Return Visa Subclass 155

If your travel facility expires while you’re outside Australia, you may need to apply for a Resident Return Visa before you can come back.

This visa is designed for people who already have strong legal or personal connections to Australia. In general, it may be suitable for:

• Current Australian permanent residents
• Some former Australian citizens who lost or renounced their citizenship

Eligibility for Visa Subclass 155: The Residence Test and Ties Evidence

Eligibility is assessed based on your history with Australia. There are two main ways to qualify.

Residence Requirement

Some applicants meet a residence requirement based on time spent living in Australia as a permanent resident. This looks at your physical presence in Australia over a defined period before you apply. Travel dates matter, and records must line up.

Substantial Ties to Australia

If you don’t meet the residence requirement, you may still qualify by showing substantial ties to Australia that benefit the country. These ties fall into four categories:

• Business ties, such as owning or operating a business connected to Australia
• Employment ties, including ongoing or recent work, sometimes linked to employer-sponsored options like the186 Visa Australia or Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS)
• Cultural ties, such as long-term involvement in recognised Australian organisations
• Personal ties, including close family members who live permanently in Australia

Evidence is critical here. Clear, well-organised documents make a real difference.

How to Apply for the Subclass 155 Visa (Step-by-Step)

Applications are lodged through the Department of Home Affairs. While the process is online, preparation matters more than speed. A typical application involves:

1. Confirming your eligibility before you apply
2. Gathering documents that support your residence history or ties
3. Lodging the application through the official system, which is through an ImmiAccount on the Department of Home Affairs website. 
4. Responding promptly if further information is requested

155 Visa Processing Time

Processing times can vary from one application to another. Factors that often affect timing include:

• How complete the application is
• How complex your travel or residence history may be
• Whether extra checks are required

The Department of Home Affairs publishes processing time guidance online. These timeframes are indicative only and not guaranteed, so it’s important to check the official tool before you apply.

155 Visa Fee

As of 20 January 2026, the Department of Home Affairs charges AUD 490 to apply online for the Resident Return Visa (Subclass 155), according to the official Visa Pricing Estimator. Visa application charges are subject to change, and applicants should always check the Department of Home Affairs website before lodging their application.

This is in addition to fees charged by agents to assist with visa lodgement.

Difference Between 155 Visa and 157 Visa

Both visas are types of Resident Return Visas, and the Department of Home Affairs considers both subclasses when assessing an application. Which one is granted depends on your circumstances.

In simple terms:

• Subclass 155 is usually granted where you meet residence requirements or can show strong, ongoing ties to Australia. It often allows for a longer travel facility.
  
• Subclass 157 may be granted where you do not meet the main requirements for the 155 visa, but still have acceptable ties or reasons related to Australia. It is generally more limited.
  

The decision is based on factors such as your time spent in Australia and the strength of your ties.

Let IMMagine Immigration Experts Help You

Returning to Australia as a permanent resident can feel stressful when rules are unclear or time is tight. Getting proper advice early helps avoid refusals and delays. 

IMMagine Immigration helps make sense of visas like the 155 visa, with clear, practical advice that protects your status and gets you back to Australia.

Looking for more insights? Check out our other expert guides below:

• Balance of Family Test Australia
• How to Create an ImmiAccount
• Australian Visas That Give Access to Medicare