Mon - Fri 8:00am - 6:00pm
What is the latest resident return visa processing time? It is a common question that occupies the minds of countless Australian residents every year. Whether your application will be approved in days or extend to months mainly depends on some key factors related to the complexity of your application. For that reason, clarity about what influences the processing time of a resident return visa helps to reduce uncertainty.
This guide explains exactly what you can expect, so that you can prepare accordingly and avoid any critical missteps.
The Resident Return Visa (RRV) Subclass 155 & 157 gives travel permission to current or former Australian permanent residents to travel and re-enter the nation after passing the overseas travel window. Most of the Australian permanent residency visas allow for a maximum of the first five years of travel in and out of Australia. If you travel outside Australia after passing the travel window, you will need a resident return visa to come as a permanent resident.
This visa typically allows the following people to re-enter Australia as permanent residents:
The processing time for a resident return visa is often updated on the visa processing time guide of the Department of Home Affairs. Based on the recent reports, the current resident return visa Australia processing times are as follows:
| Resident Return Visa Subclass | 50% of the Application Completion | 50% of the Application Completion |
| Subclass 155 | Less than 1 Day | About Five Days |
| Subclass 157 | About 26 Days | About 68 Days |
*The above resident return visa timeline is updated till July 2026. It is subject to change depending on the application complexity as well as the application volume at the Australian immigration authorities.
The RRV Australia processing time depends on more than just the date you submit your application. Every application goes through an individual assessment, and the time required can vary based on the information and evidence you provide.
Here are the main factors that can influence how long the assessment takes:
Must Read: Top 8 Australian PR Visas Every Applicant Should Know
There are no special documents that speed up the process of RRV. However, by providing each of the required documents legible and correct, you will ensure the successful processing of your visa application.
The following are some important documents needed for the resident return visa Australia online applications:
You can apply for a resident return visa through your ImmiAccount and with the help of a migration agent. The typical application process of the RRV is as follows:
Read More: Discover The Top 10 Benefits of Permanent Residency
In case your Resident Return Visa process is taking longer than expected, it most likely indicates that the Department of Home Affairs requires extra time to evaluate your application. Some of the reasons that may lead to an extended processing time include the following:
The resident return visa has two streams: Subclass 155 and Subclass 157. Which one you’re granted depends on your residence history and ties to Australia. The resident return visa application time can also differ between the two streams. Here’s a quick difference between each visa:
| Feature | Subclass 155 | Subclass 157 |
| Travel validity | Up to 5 years | Up to 3 months (occasionally up to 12 months) |
| Who it suits | Applicants who meet the residence requirement or have substantial, ongoing ties to Australia | Applicants who don’t meet the 155 residence requirements but have spent at least 1 day and less than 2 years in Australia as a resident or citizen in the past 5 years |
| Extra requirement | Ties such as employment, property, or family connections | Compelling or compassionate reasons for the extended absence |
The processing time of a resident return visa can vary from one applicant to another, so it is important to prepare your application with care. Accurate information, completeness of documentation, and timely response to any correspondence from the Department of Home Affairs can help minimise unnecessary delays. In cases where you have a complicated residency status or periods of absence, consulting a regional expert like a migration agent in Adelaide will be worthwhile.
Yes, but your travel facility under your permanent visa should be valid. If it expires when you are outside Australia, then a valid Resident Return Visa will be required for you to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident.
If you are currently outside of Australia and your RRV has expired, then you’ll not be able to enter the nation as a permanent resident.
No, each family member has to apply for a separate Resident Return Visa.
Yes, a Resident Return Visa keeps your permanent resident status and gives you an opportunity to continue working in Australia if you are eligible.
Applications are generally submitted through an online process using scanned versions of the documents. The Department may request certified copies or original documents if necessary.
