The subclass 157 is the shorter Resident Return Visa. You do not apply for it separately — when you lodge an RRV application you are assessed for both subclass 155 and subclass 157, and the Department grants a subclass 157 where you meet its criteria but not the criteria for a subclass 155. Like the 155 it is a permanent visa, so you can stay in Australia indefinitely, work and study, enrol in Medicare and sponsor eligible relatives.
You may be granted a subclass 157 if all of the following apply:
If you have been outside Australia for more than three continuous months before you apply, you also need a compelling and compassionate reason for that absence.
A subclass 157 grants a travel facility of up to three months. If you need a longer facility, you would need to meet the requirements for a subclass 155 instead.
There is a single RRV application, lodged online through ImmiAccount, and it is assessed against both subclasses. You can apply from inside or outside Australia, but the visa must be granted before you travel. Any non-English documents need an accredited translation, and each person applies separately.
There is a government application charge for the RRV, reviewed regularly — check the current figure on the Department of Home Affairs website before you apply. Because a subclass 157 turns on compelling and compassionate circumstances, these applications usually need supporting evidence and can take longer to decide than a straightforward subclass 155.
In some circumstances it's possible to recover permanent resident status after it's lapsed, but the pathway back depends heavily on individual circumstances and can be genuinely complex — this is one area where getting advice early makes a real difference.
I can check whether your time in Australia and your reasons for leaving fit the subclass 157 criteria, put together the compelling and compassionate case with the right evidence, and prepare and lodge the application.
The information on this page is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute migration advice for your individual circumstances. Resident Return Visa requirements, fees and processing arrangements can change, and meeting the general requirements described above does not guarantee that an application will be approved. Professional advice should be obtained based on your individual circumstances before lodging an application.
