Resident Return Visa − Frequently Asked Questions

• I have been in Australia for a long time and have not travelled. What do I need to do to show I am a permanent resident so I can travel outside Australia and get back in?
• I am going on a Cruise. Do I need a visa?

I have been in Australia for a long time and have not travelled. What do I need to do to show I am a permanent resident so I can travel outside Australia and get back in?

You must obtain a Resident Return Visa. There are a few different types of these visas; the one which is appropriate for you will be determined by a number of factors. For example, if you have not travelled outside Australia since 1994 and don't have your old passport with evidence of your permanent visa you may need to go to the National Archives to obtain evidence of your original arrival in Australia.

Applicants in these circumstances are advised to get the process started immediately. Obtaining the necessary documentation can take 8-10 weeks. Our experienced professionals will help you understand how the law applies to you, and exactly what documents you need to apply for your Resident Return Visa.

I am going on a Cruise. Do I need a visa?

Whether or not you need a visa for your cruise depends on your situation.

If your cruise begins or ends outside Australia and it visits Australian ports you will need to make sure that you have an appropriate visa to enter Australia as part of that cruise.

If your cruise begins and ends in Australia, lasts for up to 30 days and visits ports in other countries, you will also need a visa which covers your entry into Australia and then your time on the cruise. If your cruise has been approved by the Department of Home Affairs as a 'round trip cruise', you will be treated as if you have not left Australia during the cruise. This means that the time you spend on the cruise will be counted as part of the time your visa allows you to stay in Australia on any given visit, so you need to be careful of your visa validity period.

If you are a permanent resident of Australia and your cruise is for less than 30 days and your cruise has been approved by the Department of Home Affairs as a "round trip cruise", you will be treated as if you have not left Australia during the cruise, so you will not need to renew your Resident Return Visa.

If you are a permanent resident of Australia and your cruise is for more than 30 days or your cruise has not been approved by the Department of Home Affairs as a "round trip cruise", you will need to renew your resident return visa before you depart.

All travellers including Australian or New Zealand citizens will still need a passport or identity document on all cruises.