Permanent residents of Australia need to have a valid visa in order to be able to return to Australia. The initial visa issued to new migrants is valid for multiple entries to Australia for a period of five years. If this visa has expired, and you have not acquired Australian citizenship, you will need to apply for a Resident Return visa in order to return to Australia.

To make an application for a Resident Return visa you must submit a completed application form 1085 together with the visa application charge, a valid travel document and any additional documents required at the Visa Section of the Australian High Commission. The form can be downloaded free of charge from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) website: www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/1085.pdf or obtained from VFS.

Please refer to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) website: : . www.immi.gov.au/migrants/residents/index.htm

The Resident Return visa is valid for 5 years. However, if you are unable to satisfy the legislative requirements for grant of a Resident Return visa but you last departed Australia as a permanent resident less than 3 months before lodging your application, you may qualify for a visa with a restricted duration. This visa enables you to return to Australia within three months.

A valid resident return visa, which is in a lost or expired passport, can be re-evidenced into a new passport. You are required to submit a completed application form 1085 and pay the appropriate processing fee.