155 - Resident Return visa

The Australian Permanent Resident Visa itself is permanent, but its travel facility typically has a validity of only 5 years. When you need to continue entering and exiting Australia as a permanent resident after these 5 years, you must apply for a 155 or 157 visa to obtain a new travel facility.

• Passport↗
• Chinese ID↗
• Permanent Resident Proof
• Business License↗
• Proof of Work Experience↗
• Real Estate Documents↗
• Bank Statement↗
• Family Relationship Proof
• Personal Statement Explaining Long-term Absence
• English Translation

1. Preparation Phase

• Confirm Eligibility: Based on your length of residence in Australia and the strength of your ties to Australia, determine whether you are suitable for a 155 visa (5-year or 1-year validity) or a 157 visa (3-month validity).
• Gather Documents: Organize all required supporting documents, including your proof of identity, travel history, and evidence demonstrating your substantial ties to Australia (such as property, employment, family relationships, etc.). All non-English documents require NAATI-certified translation.

2. Online Application Submission

• Log in or Create an ImmiAccount: Log in to or create an ImmiAccount on the official website of the Australian Department of Home Affairs.
• Complete the Application Form: Select the 155 or 157 visa application and fill in all required information online.
• Upload Documents: Upload scanned copies of all your prepared supporting documents to the system.
• Pay the Application Fee: Pay the application fee online.

3. Await Processing

• After submitting your application, the Department of Home Affairs will begin processing your case. You can track your application status through your ImmiAccount and promptly respond to any requests for additional information.
• If requested by the Department, you may need to visit a designated visa application center to provide biometric information or undergo a medical examination.

4. Visa Grant

• Once your application is approved, the Department will send a visa grant notification via email. The notification will include your visa's validity period and the permission to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident.

The main difference between these two visas lies in the duration of your residence in Australia, which directly determines the validity period of the visa you can obtain.

• Subclass 155 Visa
  • 5-year validity: If you have accumulated at least 2 years (730 days) of residence in Australia as a permanent resident or citizen within the 5 years prior to your application, you will typically be granted a Subclass 155 visa with a 5-year validity period.
  • 1-year validity: If you do not meet the 2-year residence requirement but can demonstrate substantial ties to Australia (such as business, cultural, employment, or personal connections), you may be granted a Subclass 155 visa with a 1-year validity period.
• Subclass 157 Visa
  • 3-month validity: If you do not meet the requirements for the Subclass 155 visa but have compelling and compassionate reasons for a short-term departure and return (for example, a family emergency), you may be granted a Subclass 157 visa with a 3-month validity period.