If you have been granted a permanent visa, the permanent visa validity is usually 5 years. During this time, you may depart and re-enter Australia within five years from the date of visa grant. Within this five-year period, you can choose either to apply for Australian citizenship (if eligible), or continue to retain your original nationality.
Although as a permanent resident you are granted the right to stay in Australia indefinitely. The travel facility on your permanent visa will expire at the end of the visa validity. The automatic right of entry into Australia is reserved for Australian citizens alone.
Therefore, a resident return visa is an option for those who want to retain their original nationality. As a holder of a Resident Return visa, you are allowed to travel freely to and from Australia. There are 2 main subclasses of the resident return visa –
- Subclass 155 (5 Year validity)
- Subclass157 (3 Month validity)