As an Australian permanent resident, you do not have an automatic right to return to Australia from overseas. Your right of re-entry to Australia will depend on the validity of your travel facility on your permanent visa. When a permanent visa is granted, an applicant is permitted a 5-year travel facility. The travel facility allows an applicant to leave and re-enter Australia as many times during the 5 years from this period.
After 5 years, your travel facility expires. You will need to apply for and be granted either:
– a Resident Return Visa – if you wish to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident
– Australian Citizenship – if you wish to travel as an Australian citizen.
Applicants must understand the conditions of their visa and right to re-enter Australia before travelling overseas. Without a valid travel facility on your visa, you risk being stranded outside Australia.
Your travel facility is listed in both your visa grant notification letter, and in visa information provided by VEVO.
Travel Facility Expiry Reminder (TFER)
The TFER service aims to remind certain permanent residents that the travel facility on their permanent visa is expiring in 60 days.
You must also link your current passport to your visa and provide your new passport details before travelling overseas. This will help to avoid any delays at the border.