How this Visa Works

This visa is usually granted for five years for people who have lived in Australia as a permanent resident for at least two in the last five years. Alternatively, if you do not meet this residence criterion but can demonstrate substantial ties of benefit to Australia you may be eligible to be granted the visa for one year. If you do not meet the requirements of the subclass 155 visa you will be assessed for the Three Month Resident Return visa (subclass 157).

If you want to continue travelling to and from Australia as a permanent resident you will need to obtain another Resident Return visa.

Family members

Family members travelling on your passport should be included on your application form.

Family members with separate passports must apply separately and pay a separate visa application charge.

Authority to Return or Return Endorsement

You do not need to obtain this visa if you hold one of the following documents in your passport:

• Authority to Return (ATR)
• Return Endorsement (RE).

These documents are still valid if:

• they have not been cancelled
• they have not been ceased by the grant of another visa since 1994
• you have returned to Australia within three years of each departure
• you have not become an Australian Citizen.

If you have Authority to Return or Return Endorsement documents in your passport it may cause difficulties boarding flights bound for Australia or delays entering Australia. If this is the case, you may need a BF111 visa label which is more compatible with the newer immigration and customs systems.

If you have Authority to Return or Return Endorsement you are eligible to receive a free electronic BF111 visa label.

BF111 visa labels

The BF111 visa label remains valid indefinitely provided you:

• return to Australia within three years of each departure
• are not granted another substantive visa (other than an ETA or border visa)
• are not granted citizenship.

Important: If you change your passport while you hold a BF111 you will need to advise the department to link the BF111 to your new passport. This will ensure you do not experience difficulties boarding flights bound for Australia or delays entering Australia.

Obtaining a BF111 visa label

To have a BF111 visa label placed into your current passport, you must visit a departmental office.
See: Departmental Offices