Persons who have been granted permission to settle in
Australia permanently are usually granted a visa which allows them to depart and re-enter Australia for indefinite stay within 5 years from date of grant. Within this 5 year period, they may apply for Australian citizenship (if eligible), or continue to retain their original nationality. If they retain their original nationality, they will need to apply for a resident return visa upon the expiry of their initial 5 year visa should they wish to travel abroad and return to Australia after the initial 5 year visa expires.
There are three types of resident return visas:
- 5-year return (subclass 155),
- 3-month return (subclass 157), and
- Provisional return (subclass 159).