The Resident Return Visa is a visa for Australian permanent residents to allow them to travel in and out of, live and work in Australia. If you are a permanent resident planning to travel outside of Australia, you should ensure that you have travel rights prior to departure.
Who Should Apply for an Australian Resident Return Visa?
Once a permanent visa has been granted, it allows the holder to remain in Australia indefinitely – however it will only have valid travel until a certain date. If you wish to continue to travel in and out of Australia after the expiry of your visa, you will need to apply for a Resident Return visa (RRV). Based on current law, RRVs are simple to obtain if the applicant has resided in Australia for 2 years out of the 5 years immediately before applying. If not, the RRV can still be granted if the applicant demonstrates beneficial ties to Australia.
If you’re an Australian permanent resident who has been living outside of Australia for more than two years of the last five years, you must be able to show that you have ties to Australia – such as family or employment. The Department will require evidence of these ties when assessing the application
Benefits of permanent residence in Australia
Permanent residence in Australia offers a wide range of benefits, including:
- Work and study opportunities: Permanent residents in Australia have unrestricted work and study rights. They can work and study in any field and any location without any limitations.
- Access to healthcare: As a permanent resident, you are eligible for the Australian healthcare system. You can access medical services and treatment through Medicare, Australia’s public healthcare system.
- Social security benefits: Permanent residents in Australia are eligible for social security benefits such as unemployment benefits, family assistance, and disability benefits.
- Eligibility for citizenship: After living in Australia for a certain period of time as a permanent resident, you may be eligible to apply for Australian citizenship, which brings additional benefits such as the right to vote in elections and to travel with an Australian passport.
- Education: Permanent residents in Australia can access government-subsidized education programs and courses.
Overall, becoming a permanent resident in Australia provides many benefits and opportunities, including access to a high standard of living, education, healthcare, and social security benefits.
The Resident Return visa is key in allowing long term PR holders to travel to and from Australia on a regular basis. If you would like assistance with an RRV application, you can get in touch with us here.
